NOVA Parks News

NOVA Parks, formerly the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, is continually growing its parkland. With the rich history of Northern Virginia, historic sites are a big part of our park system. Today we throwback to just over ten years ago, a time when the park authority acquired a new historic site as well as new parkland. The two additions are located directly next to one another and they are often considered one and the same.

In 2008, Loudoun County transferred to NOVA Parks the historic Mt. Zion Old School Baptist Church. The building was built in 1851 and sits at historic Gilbert’s Corner. A congregation met at the church monthly until 1980, except for the years during the Civil War. During that conflict, the building was used as a military rendezvous site, battleground and hospital - there is even graffiti on the walls; a living history of soldiers’ days spent recuperating. A cemetery adjacent to the church contains over 240 marked graves within an old stone wall as well as additional unmarked graves outside of it that are likely of enslaved people.

In 2009, NOVA Parks bought the land that would become Gilbert’s Corner Regional Park; a total of just over 150 acres just across the street from Mt Zion Historic Park. The park authority acquired this area by taking over a loan given by the State of Virginia to a nonprofit who was looking for a successor. The park offers hiking trails, interpretive signage and rolling countryside with a view of the Bull Run Mountains. At one time, the Old Carolina Road, an active north/south route during the 18th and 19th centuries, traversed through what is now the park. As well as Mt Zion Historic Park, Gilbert’s Corner has rich Civil War significance and is part of the study area for the Battle of Aldie, which took place on June 17, 1863.  It also saw combat of about 300 troops in the summer of 1864 in the area around the church.

NOVA Parks is known for its work in conservation, preservation, and recreation; the cornerstones of its identity. As the park authority operates through the years, the acquisition of new parkland and historic sites is key to not only continuing the legacy and work of all who endeavored in the past for the organization, but is also key to the future of Northern Virginia as a region that cares to protect and share its past history and native land. Mt Zion Historic Park and Gilbert’s Corner Regional Park stand as two recent examples of the continuing positive work of NOVA Parks.

Today, these two sites are part of a collection of parkland, including five sites that are partially supported by the 1863 Fund. This fund, set up in 2019, is an endowment. In the years to come, we hope the endowment can help offset the costs of these five properties. The properties, that also include Aldie Mill Historic Park, Battle of Middleburg/Mt. Defiance Historic Park and Battle of Upperville/Goose Creek Bridge Historic Park were all part of the four days of cavalry battles in this area in the summer of 1863. You can contribute to the 1863 Fund by making a donation here: https://www.cfnova.org/for-donors/foundation-funds/donor-funds/1863-fund