Herndon Historical Society

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Herndon Historical Society

The official page for the Herndon Historical Society (HHS). The Society is involved in many activities beyond maintaining the museum.

More details can be found in the Society's newsletters (www.herndonhistoricalsociety.org/newsletterminutesarchive.html), however some of those activities include:

• THE DEPOT

Although the Town of Herndon owns the depot, the Historical Society has from time to time expended funds to help maintain it. The most recent project was the restoration of the original railroad semaphore that is fixed on

the depot roof.

• HISTORIC HOMES REGISTRY

The Society sponsors the historic home registry program designed to increase public awareness of Herndon’s older homes and buildings and their contribution to the Town’s distinctive character and spirit. Once an owner documents the history of the home and demonstrates that it satisfies certain criteria—such as the original structure being 50 or more years old and compatible with the character of Herndon, as well as being of historical or architectural significance to the Town—the application is approved and a request for a resolution is submitted to the Herndon Town Council. Once the resolution, which certifies the historic significance of the structure, is adopted, the structure is eligible to receive a plaque. All documentation becomes part of the Society’s research library, and a picture and brief history are placed on the Historical Society’s website. . Click here for more information about applying for the Registry.

• THE CABOOSE

In 1989, longtime Society member and railroad aficianado George Moore located a surplus Norfolk and Western caboose, arranged for it to be transported to Herndon, and coordinated with the Herndon Department of Public Works to install the section of track on which it sits. Located adjacent to the W&OD trail—formerly the W&OD railroad line—the caboose serves as a reminder of the town’s rail history. Although the caboose is now the property of the Town of Herndon the Society continues to monitor its condition and to fund the interior maintenance. Following his death in 2003, the caboose was dedicated in George’s memory. In 2008, the interior was restored and the windows were improved to make them water tight.

• ANNUAL MODEL TRAIN SHOW

Each December for the last few years the Historical Society, along with the Herndon Foundation for the Cultural Arts and the Herndon Chamber of Commerce, has sponsored an Annual Model Train Show. This event—which is held in ArtSpace, Herndon’s community art gallery—features both HO and N gauge model trains.

• THE GAS HOUSE MINI PARK

In 1999, the Historical Society funded restoration and improvements at the gas generating facility located across from Herndon’s Municipal Center. Improvements included a display that explains how the facility operated, along with landscaping for the mini-park that surrounds it. The park is dedicated in memory of former Society president Larry Clarity, and the benches it contains were donated in memory of another longtime member, Bill Moffett.

• AND MORE ...

The Society continues to engage in educational and preservation-oriented activities designed to ensure that the public remains interested in and aware of the history of the Herndon area. For example, Society members were actively involved in working with the Town to ensure that the historic “yellow house” was relocated from behind Adams Green Funeral Home to a new site at the corner of Oak and Pearl Streets and made available for sale when it was slated for demolition.

05/26/2026

Tuesday Trivia!

Do you know how many places around the United States are named Herndon? According to the internet, there are (or have been) 11 places. They are located in West Virginia, Texas, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Kansas, Kentucky, Iowa, Georgia, California, Arkansas and, of course, Virginia. Many are unincorporated areas, boroughs or villages. The populations range from 50 people o 6,400 people, with the exception of Herndon, Virginia, which is by far the largest at about 25,000 people. The places named Herndon in Pennsylvania, Kansas, Georgia, and here in Virginia, were all named after the naval hero, Commander William Lewis Herndon.

05/25/2026

Today on Memorial Day, we honor former Herndon resident Second Lieutenant Egbert Thompson Watt, Jr. Lieutenant Watt was killed in action on April 29, 1945 while serving in WWII. Lt. Watt was an Army infantry officer who trained at Ft. Benning, Georgia. His first assignment was handling replacements in the Philippines, and then was assigned to the 164th Infantry, Company F, Americal Division, driving out Japanese who were entrenched in the hills of the Philippine Islands. He was killed on Negros Island while leading his platoon assaulting a hill. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Silver Star. Thank you for your service to our country, Lt. Watt.

05/23/2026

The Fairfax County Park Authority has a special Juneteenth event scheduled at Sully Historic Site. The event is on Friday, June 19 from 10am-2pm at 3650 Historic Sully Way in Chantilly. The event is free, but registration is recommended. Visit Sully Historic Site and join in a celebration of Emancipation at this special event!

Details and registration at this link => https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/sully-historic-site/juneteenth-celebration/061926

Fairfax County Park Authority

05/21/2026

If you haven't already, make plans to attend our next public meeting on Wednesday, May 27th at 7pm at the Depot Museum at 717 Lynn Street. Nancy Saunders, HHS Board Member and a historian at Frying Pan Farm Park, will talk about Jeremiah Moore who was a farmer, preacher, Revolutionary War soldier and religious dissenter.

No RSVP is necessary!
⬇️
https://www.facebook.com/share/18iXNWAo6w/

05/19/2026

We cordially invite you to Herndon’s Memorial Day Ceremony at the Chestnut Grove Cemetery (831 Dranesville Road) on Monday, May 25, at 10:00 AM. Take a few moments out of your day to honor our fallen veterans. This brief ceremony is sponsored by Herndon’s Wayne M. Kidwell American Legion Post #184. The guest speaker this year will be Captain Barbara Glakas, a former Army Reservist and our own historian of the Herndon Historical Society. Part of her remarks will address the Revolutionary War veterans who either lived in Herndon and/or are buried in the Chestnut Grove Cemetery.

05/18/2026

One of the earlier churches in Herndon was the Congregational Church, built in 1873. It was formerly located at the northwest corner of Pine and Monroe Streets. An early photo of it shows how the church has a steep roof and a high spire atop its church tower. In c. 1917 the church was renovated, adding a new addition on the back of the church and a new bell tower. In 1949, the Herndon Congregational Church merged with the Herndon Presbyterian Church. And in 1959, the Floris Presbyterian Church joined in with the merger, making a union of three former churches into one, forming the Trinity Presbyterian Church. Later, the old Congregation Church building was occupied by a thrift store called The Swap Shop. Unfortunately, the building burned down in 1980. Sitting on that former church lot now is the Pine Street Center, brown brick buildings of commercial space. (Photos from the Herndon Historical Society and Richard Downer).

05/14/2026

A story about the oyster craze in turn-of-the-20th-century Herndon.

https://patch.com/virginia/herndon/remembering-herndons-history-oyster-dinners-nodx

05/11/2026

Did you know that the Town of Herndon is updating its Comprehensive Plan? The 2050 Comprehensive Plan project will plan Herndon’s future in terms of land use, transportation, the environment, public services, community facilities, and more! The town needs your input so that they will know what your priorities are for the future of the Herndon! The deadline to submit your comments is May 17th!

Your chance to shape the future of our town! Take our Survey Visit the Interactive Map Events Herndon 2050 is the Town’s long-range Comprehensive Plan. Learn more ➔ The Economic Development Project focuses on strengthening Herndon’s economy. Learn more ➔ Planning for the Future The Town of H...

05/10/2026

Who remembers the Herndon Observer Cookbook? Each year the Observer would publish a cookbook, filled with many yummy recipes from town residents. The cookbook also included many ads for local businesses.

Address

717 Lynn Street
Herndon, VA
20170(MAILINGADDRESS:POBOX99,HERNDONVA20172)

Opening Hours

12pm - 3pm

Website

http://www.herndonhistoricalsociety.org/

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