Groveton near Alexandria in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Huntley

Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 25, 2008

1. Huntley Marker

Inscription. The Huntley mansion house and its surrounding farm complex were built circa 1820 as a secondary residence for Thomson Francis Mason and his wife Elizabeth Clapman Price. Thomson Francis Mason, a prominent Virginia lawyer, was active in Alexandria politics until his death in 1838. He was a grandson of the author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, George Mason, IV, of Gunston Hall.

Erected 1992 by Fredom Hill Chapter, National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, in celebration of the Centennial of the Virginia Daughters of the American Revolution, on May 24th.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1820.

Location. 38° 45.94′ N, 77° 5.721′ W. Marker is near Alexandria, Virginia, in Fairfax County. It is in Groveton. Marker is on Huntley Meadows Lane west of Harrison Lane (County Route 723), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3701 Huntley Meadows Ln, Alexandria VA 22306, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A View from the Beginning / Explore Historic Huntley (a few steps from this marker); Missing Views, Lost Stories

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

(within shouting distance of this marker); Your View, Your Voice (within shouting distance of this marker); New Views, New Voices (within shouting distance of this marker); Unfolding Views, Hidden Stories (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Huntley (about 400 feet away); Saint Mark's Episcopal Church (approx. half a mile away); Beacon Field Airport (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.

Regarding Huntley. From pages tacked up in a glass-covered bulletin board near this marker. “One mystery of Huntley’s past is that the two rectangular masonry wings on the east and west sides apparently were built before the central block was built. They are separate from the center, not joined by any brickwork, but merely abutted. All of the doorways that join the wings to the central block were punched through the finished walls of the wings, in contrast to the exterior doors on both wings, and central block, all of which were constructed properly with masonry lintels and dressed door jambs. ...

“The Civil
Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 25, 2008

2. Marker on the Curb and Huntley on the Hill Above
Difficult to photograph are the remains of the “falling gardens” or earthen terraces in front of the mansion. Today they are lawn.
War at Huntley. At the beginning of the war, Huntley was being farmed by a tenant, George Johnson, who was a Union sympathizer. There is some irony in the fact that the Mason brothers joined the Confederate army, with Arthur Pendleton serving on the staffs of Generals Lee and Johnston, while their tenant Johnson provided supplies to the Union. During the winter of 1861, troops of the 3rd Michigan Infantry camped at Huntley, and their quartermaster and his wife lived in the house. This may be why Huntley was not burned during the war.”

Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 25, 2008

3. Huntley

This is the south face, which faces the Huntley Meadows Lane.

Rear View of Huntley image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 25, 2008

4. Rear View of Huntley

This is the north face. A carriageway from Harrison Lane went past this entrance to the mansion.

Outbuilding Has a Root Cellar image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 25, 2008

5. Outbuilding Has a Root Cellar

An underground domed room used to store winter ice for summer use can be reached through the root cellar.

The Necessary image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 25, 2008

6. The Necessary

Tenant House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 25, 2008

7. Tenant House

At the southwest corner of the property on Huntley Meadows Lane. This house is occupied.

Thomas and Ann Mason,<br>by D. W. Boudet image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, June 30, 2013

8. Thomas and Ann Mason,
by D. W. Boudet

Photo of a display in the Huntley Meadows Vistors Center
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, June 30, 2013

9. Huntley Marker

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 5, 2020

10. Huntley Marker

The DAR marker have been moved from its white pedestal to the brick wall.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, June 30, 2013

11. DAR Seal

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 25, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,662 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on May 25, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 8, 9. submitted on July 2, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 10. submitted on January 7, 2020, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 11. submitted on July 2, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.