Stephanie Spear 
While most of Fairfax County now looks markedly different from its agrarian roots, there are some vestiges of the past right under our collective noses. One such example is the Great Falls Grange, a brick building located at 9818 Georgetown Pike in Great Falls, and the Forestville Schoolhouse next door. Many commuters whiz by this piece of local history every day, without knowing the history of this charming site. Read on for more about the Great Falls Grange, the Forestville Schoolhouse, and the ties to Fairfax County’s history.
History of the Grange
The word ‘grange’ means a farmhouse with outbuildings, or, an association of farmers or the lodge used by the association, according to Merriam-Webster. In this case, the Grange’s roots are in its role as the lodge associated with the Grange movement of the 1860s. The fraternal group was known as the Patrons of Husbandry and was formed to give farmers a network to share farming and animal husbandry practices, and to promote the interests of farmers throughout the US. It was also one of the first organizations to support women’s right to vote. The National Grange Organization is still active, with national headquarters in Washington, DC.
At this time, Fairfax County was still a mainly rural area. By the early 1900s, dairy farming was predominant. Fairfax County was the leading dairy producer in Virginia until 1933, according to the Fairfax County Park Authority. The Grange buildings were a symbol of the farming community’s commitment to progress and community involvement.
The local organization was known as Forestville Grange, and was founded in 1920. The group met at different locations throughout the community while fundraising for its own facility. Members purchased ‘shares’ of the organization to fund its operations. There were five granges in Fairfax County, according to the Fairfax County Park Authority. The Great Falls Grange building was completed in 1929 at a cost of $12,500. It was formally known as as Grange Hall #738 for the Great Falls chapter of the Fraternal Order of Husbandry. The building was set up to be a gathering space for the community and had the latest heating systems and kitchen equipment. Observers believe that the original wood material used came from a local sawmill.
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The Grange was the site of many events such as ice cream parties, dances, theater performances, community meetings, and more. Over time, as farming decreased in Fairfax County, so did the Grange’s membership. The building and grounds were sold to the Fairfax County Park Authority in 1981.
Forestville Schoolhouse
Next door to the Grange is a one-story white building with a green roof. That is the historic Forestville School, which was built in 1889. It was originally a one-room schoolhouse that was expanded in 1911 when a schoolhouse from Floris, a community in what is now Herndon, was brought over on a wagon.
In the 1950’s, the building was purchased by the Grange as an expansion of its space. By 1959, the building had become Great Falls’ post office. Over the years it has also served as a private residence and the town’s library. The building was purchased by the Fairfax County Parks Authority in 1983.
The Grange and Schoolhouse Today
>The Great Falls Grange is the last remaining Grange in Fairfax County and it is on the Fairfax County Inventory of Historic Sites, with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and on the National Register of Historic Places. While the Fairfax County Park Authority has owned the building and grounds since 1981, in 2022, it entered into an agreement with a local nonprofit to run the Grange. That group is called the Great Falls Grange Foundation: For the Love of Great Falls.
The Foundation manages both the Forestville Schoolhouse and the Great Falls Grange. Since taking over, the Foundation has refreshed the paint in both buildings, updated the landscaping, and improved the parking facilities. The open-air pavilion in between the two buildings has received special attention, creating a covered picnic area for up to 40 guests.
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Community events such as art shows, fundraisers, summer camps, and vintage markets have been held at the space. The Schoolhouse, Grange, and Pavilion are all available to rent for private events such as parties, bridal showers, weddings, corporate events, musical performances and more. The kitchen that was state-of-the-art in 1927 has been updated to modern standards, following a 2022 renovation.
Julie Maher, Director of the GFG Foundation, says she grew up in Great Falls and remembers going to events at the Grange. “Now, we have all kinds of things here,” she says. “Dance recitals, private concerts, rehearsal dinners, baby showers.” The Grange’s main hall has a stage and a top-of-the-line audio setup. The high ceilings and wood paneled walls make for a cozy atmosphere. Downstairs can be part of the event space or used as a staging area, and is where the oversized kitchen is located. While the kitchen itself has been updated, the footprint is still where the original kitchen stood. There is a sliding window for serving from the kitchen, a long counter, and two glass-fronted bookshelves downstairs that are original to the building.
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