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Fairfax County History

Virginia Room Research Last Updated: Jan 19, 2025 11:40 AM

Fairfax County History

Formed in 1742, Fairfax County has a long and fruitful history. The Virginia Room, located on the second floor of the City of Fairfax Regional Library, collects, preserves, and makes accessible local history resources. Researchers can find historical information on Fairfax County individuals, locations, and events. This Local History page serves as a guide to some of our local history resources which include:

  • Photographs
  • Yearbooks
  • Local Newspapers
  • Subject Files
  • Archival Collections

This Guide Is Intended For:

  • Researchers interested in the history of their neighborhood
  • Genealogists seeking their Fairfax County ancestors
  • Historians investigating histories of local buildings
  • School alumni searching for old yearbooks
  • Anyone curious about Fairfax County’s history

Questions? Email the Virginia Room: va_room@fairfaxcounty.gov

Local History Library Events

Burke Historical Society Presents: The Jewish Community of Northern Virginia

Burke Historical Society Lecture Series. Co-authors Shawn and Susan Dilles will speak on their recently published book, The Jewish Community of Northern Virginia.  This community has existed for over…

Date:
Sunday, Jan 26, 2025
Time:
3:00pm - 4:30pm
Location:
Pohick Meeting Room 1, Pohick Meeting Room 2, Pohick Meeting Room 1, Pohick Meeting Room 2
Categories:
History/Culture Presentation/Performance

Cedar Hill House: A History

Join us as Park Guide Ife Calhoun shares the history of Cedar Hill House. Cedar Hill was the final home of Frederick Douglass. This presentation will explore the 21 room home in which Douglas lived hi…

Date:
Saturday, Feb 22, 2025
Time:
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Location:
John Marshall Meeting Room 1, John Marshall Meeting Room 2, John Marshall Meeting Room 1, John Marshall Meeting Room 2
Categories:
Black History History/Culture

New Guide to Black History Materials in the Virginia Room

The Virginia Room has created a new guide to research materials relating to Black history in Fairfax County, Virginia. While this guide aims to offer a robust selection of available resources, it is not exhaustive. Included are books, school yearbooks, oral histories, manuscript collections, photographs, and subject files available in the Virginia Room on Black history. This guide will be periodically updated with additional resources.

 Fairfax County Black History Resources 

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