Salona (McLean, Virginia)

Salona, located at 1235 Dolley Madison Blvd. in McLean, Virginia is a parcel of land with frontage on Dolley Madison Blvd., Buchanan Street and Kurtz Road. The Salona homestead and grounds comprise convert|7.8|acre|m2 within the convert|52.4|acre|m2|sing=on site, and is already protected in perpetuity by a 1971 easement to the Fairfax Board of Supervisors. The Salona agreement places an additional 41 acres under a new conservation easement that The Northern Virginia Conservation Trust will enforce in perpetuity. Within the new easement, 10 acres will be placed in active recreational use, with the remainder used for passive recreation, such as trails. The easement allows for preservation and interpretation of natural and cultural resources on the property. The property owners, the DuVal family, retain the approximately three acres remaining of the convert|52.4|acre|m2|sing=on site. [http://www.resourcesaver.org/file/toolmanager/CustomO45C96F69667.pdf]

Cultural Significance

Salona is culturally significant on local,state and national levels. It was the home of Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee, Revolutionary War hero; it was to Salona that Dolley Madison fled in 1814 when British troops were burning the White House; and, during the Civil War, Salonaserves as a part of the headquarters for the Union Army.http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/GMP/SalonaInfo.pdf] Its role in history has been noted as the house is on theNational Register of Historic Places.

History

Salona derives its name from the circa 1805 homestead associated with this site. Salona has significant cultural history of local, state and national importance that spans centuries. This was the home of Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee, a Revolutionary War hero; it was to Salona that Dolley Madison fled in 1814 when British troops were burning the White House; and during the Civil War, Salona served as a part of the headquarters for the Union Army.

Origins

The property was acquired through marriage by Robert E. Lee’s father, Henry Lee. Henry Lee served as governor of Virginia in 1791 and went on to serve two terms in Congress. [http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?archive=true&article=29535&paper=65&cat=104 McLean's Salona Offered for Sale - News - Great Falls Connection - Connection Newspapers ] ] The stately brick manor house, which is currently undergoing renovations, was constructed between 1790 and 1810.

Salona During the War of 1812

In August 1814 British troops attacked Washington, causing President James Madison to flee from Washington, DC. During this British invasion of Washington President James Madison and his wife Dolley received hospitality at Salona.http://www.resourcesaver.org/file/toolmanager/CustomO45C96F69667.pdf] President Madison was separated from his wife, Dolley, who found him at Salona the next day. Route 123 is known to locals as “Dolley Madison Boulevard” because of that event.

Salona During the Civil War

Camp Griffin occupied Salona (then owned by Jacob Smoot) and surrounding properties from October 1861 to March 1862, with the mansion house serving as headquarters for General William Smith and other Union commanders.

Conservation Efforts

The conservation easement preserves one of the last sizeab le open spaces in McLean. Within the new easement, 10 acres will be placed in active recreational use with the remainder used for passive recreation such as trails (providing a critical link to the Pimmit Run Trail system). The easement will also allow for preservation and interpretation of natural and cultural resources on the property. The easement prevents any residential construction on the property in perpetuity, and the Park Authority has the right of first refusal to own the Salona property outright. The cost of the conservation easement ($16.1 M) is less than 1/2 of the appraised (highest and best use) value of the property. The Northern Virginia Conservation Trust has the role of easement enforcement, and collaborated on the acquisition of the easement. [http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/press/PR006-06.pdf]

References

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