HISTORY OF THE GRANGE
GREAT FALLS
GRANGE FOUNDATION
ANNOUNCEMENT
Great Falls Grange Foundation proudly assumed the operations and management of the Great Falls Grange Hall and historic Forestville Schoolhouse from Fairfax County on April 4, 2022. Now our goals are to preserve and maintain these historic buildings, provide educational tours, and provide event space for community and private events.
DONATE
For the Love of Great Falls!
The Great Falls Grange Foundation needs your help to support some much needed improvements, including: add a power generator, connection to public water, bathroom improvements, air-conditioning in the schoolhouse, dark-sky compliant outdoor safety lighting, refinishing the original hardwood floors, plumbing improvements, plus new paint / curtains / furnishings.
Please consider helping us achieve these goals by donating today. We accept online donations through PayPal (see button below) or by mailing a check to:
The Great Falls Grange Foundation, P.O. Box 1164, Great Falls, VA 22066.
We appreciate your generous support!
The Great Falls Grange Foundation, Inc. is qualified as a not for profit entity under 26 USC §501[c][3]. Some or all donations may be deductible under 26 USC §170.
The Great Falls Grange events venue is a charming historic event site nestled in downtown Great Falls, Virginia on a wooded lot. It is one of the closest historical event venues to Washington, D.C.
The Great Falls Grange has historically served as the heart of the Great Falls community and is a unique event destination offering three distinct event spaces including the Grange Hall (est. 1929), Historic Schoolhouse (est. 1889), and the Grange Pavilion.
Coming Soon...
In 2022, the Great Falls Grange Foundation plans to begin leasing space for a wide range of events, including: Community Meetings, Celebrations (Birthdays, Anniversaries, Mitzvahs, Bridal Showers, Baby Showers), Weddings (Ceremonies, Rehearsals, Receptions), Business Meetings, Art Shows, Theatrical Performances, Musical Performances, and more.
landscaping
The Great Falls Grange Foundation (GFGF) has partnered with a group of local landscaping companies, under the leadership of Charles Owen, owner of Fine Landscapes, Ltd. to improve the landscaping. The landscaping design will focus on plants native to Northern Virginia and will improve the overall aesthetics of the property.
Fresh Interiors
New paint in light neutral tones will invigorate the interiors of both the Grange Hall and Historic Schoolhouse. The curtains will be replaced with a lighter neutral tone curtain for an updated look. Long-term improvements to the kitchen and bathrooms are also planned.
Parking
The parking lot will be refreshed with new gravel and additional lighting.
Please check back for the latest updates as work progresses to beautify and preserve these historic Great Falls landmarks.Come back to see pictures of the improvements over the coming months!
The Grange has the perfect space for your event. Soon you will be able to rent one, or all, of our newly refurbished spaces. These include two buildings (Grange Hall and Historic Schoolhouse), plus an outdoor pavilion (Grange Pavilion) for celebrations, performances and business meetings.
Grange Hall
Seating for up to 200 Guests
2 Levels, Stage, Kitchen
Historic Schoolhouse
Charming one-level space for small events with seating capacity for up to 49 guests, kitchenette, and a piano.
The Pavilion
Covered outdoor picnic tables for up to 40 guests.
Public children's play area and sports field
are a short walk.
MAILING LIST
LOCATION
9818 GEORGETOWN PIKE
GREAT FALLS, VA 22066
Great Falls is approximately 30 minutes West of downtown Washington, DC and is bordered by the Potomac River to the North, Great Falls National Park and McLean to the East, Reston / Herndon / Vienna to the South and Sterling / Lowes Island to the West. Hiking trails, recreational areas and breathtaking views of the Potomac River can be found at Great Falls National Park and Riverbend Park.
Across the street from The Grange property is the Great Falls Shopping Center with several restaurants as well as Safeway and CVS. Also close by is Great Falls Village, a quaint shopping center featuring an art gallery, multiple restaurants, coffee shops, ice-cream and more.
The Grange was perfect for our son’s Texas Dance Hall themed rehearsal dinner! Lights, a country band and a bbq dinner made it a night to remember.
Linda Knight - Temple, TX
LOCATION
The Grange Hall and Historic Schoolhouse are both buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places and are owned by the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA).
Grange Hall was built in 1929 by the local farmers and their families as Grange Hall #738 for the Great Falls chapter of the Fraternal Order of Husbandry. This Craftsman style public assembly hall has been the site of private and community gatherings throughout its history.
The Historic Schoolhouse was built in 1889 as a one-room school, expanded in 1911 to include the Floris School, but ultimately, the school closed in 1922. From 1922 to 1959 it changed hands many times and eventually put up for sale in the early 1980’s. Great Falls residents pooled their resources and purchased the building, eventually donating it to the Fairfax County Park Authority.
GALLERY
Use of the GFGF/FCPA April 4, 2022 Agreement Signing Photographs authorized by Bill Canis and Fairfax County Parks Authority.