Tysons in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
A Tent Design Inspired by Native Americans
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 20, 2022
1. A Tent Design Inspired by Native Americans Marker
Troops stationed here most likely slept in a Sibley Tent patented in 1856 by Federal Army Colonel Henry Hopkins Sibley. the tents were designed to be portable and comfortable and were modeled after the Comanche buffalo-hide houses called tipis (or teepees) that Sibley had encountered in Texas. Called a Tipi, Chum, Goahti, Lavvu, Kohte, Nentsi, and other names, conical tents in various designs have been used by Native peoples around the Northern Hemisphere for thousands of years. The conical shape provides excellent protection from wind, rain, and snow.
[Caption:]
Interior of a Sibley Tent, sketched at Camp John A. Andrew, near Annapolis, Maryland.
Erected 2021 by Fairfax County Park Authority.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Native Americans • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Defenses of Washington series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.
Location. 38° 55.005′ N, 77° 14.546′ W. Marker is in Tysons, Virginia, in Fairfax County. Marker can be reached from Old Courthouse Road (Virginia Route 677) west of Battery Park Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Outpost Life (a few steps from this marker); Defending the Nation's Capital (a few steps from this marker); Freedom Hill is a Droplet in an Ocean of History (within shouting distance of this marker); A Union Spy of Color? (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Family Strength (about 300 feet away); First Court House of Fairfax County (approx. ¼ mile away); The Great Falls Line (approx. 1.2 miles away); Civil War Action at Vienna (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tysons.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 20, 2022
2. A Tent Design Inspired by Native Americans Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 20, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 20, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 133 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 20, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
