Virginia Recreation and Parks Society Awards Historic Huntley

The Virginia Recreation and Parks Society recently recognized Historic Huntley for its recent work on restoring and renovating the home built for Thomson Francis Mason, the mayor of Alexandria, DC from 1827-1830 and grandson of George Mason.

Historic Huntley received the award for Best New Renovation/Addition - Bricks and Mortar in an area with a population greater than 100,000, according to a recent news release. The 19th century architectural gem is located at 6918 Harrison Lane in Alexandria and is now open to the public.

Historic Huntley is on the National Register of Historic Places, the Virginia Landmarks Register and the Fairfax County Inventory of Historic Sites. The Fairfax County Park Authority obtained the historical home and its surrounding 2.5 acres in 1989. Since then, the house has been open only during semiannual events and for school and scout tours until undergoing recent renovation.

Now the buildings are open for scheduled programs and tours, as well as Saturday tours between the months of April through October.

Renovations for the home got a boost from a $100,000 grant from the National Park Service's Save America's Treasures program, created by NPS to preserve significant historic properties and collections.

"The grant helped fund the site's extensive structural restoration work," the release reads. "Additionally, through two Park Bond programs, the Park Authority provided several million dollars towards preservation and redevelopment of the site."

For more information about Historic Huntley and Huntley Meadows Park, visit Fairfax County Park Authority.