The Westmoreland Davis Memorial Foundation, Inc
For More info visit: www.morvenpark.org
Visit Morven Park
Fun events and things to do for the whole family

Looking for fun activities for the whole family close to home? Visit the Greek Revival mansion on 1,200 acres just outside Leesburg VA.The house tour also includes the Museum of Hounds and Hunting, the only fox hunting museum in the world and the Winmill Carriage Collection, with over 70 horsedrawn turn-of-the-century vehicles. Boxwood gardens, picnic area, and many special events. The historic mansion and Museum of Hounds & Hunting are closed to the public during extensive interior and exterior resoration.

Morven Park Mansion and Grounds
It would seem Morven Park has something of interest for almost everyone, but for those interested in country sports, horses or Virginia history, it's a treasure.
The estate, 1,200 acres just west of Leesburg, Virginia off Rt. 7 on Old Waterford Road, was home to two governors: Thomas Swann, a governor of Maryland in the 19th century, and Virginia's reform governor Westmoreland Davis. Morven Park was the last home of Governor Davis, who served his gubernatorial term from 1918 to 1922, and his wife, the former Marguerite Inman of Atlanta, daughter of a wealthy New York cotton broker. Thirteen years after his death in 1942, Mrs. Davis established the Westmoreland Davis Memorial Foundation as a memorial to her husband and the estate was opened to the public in 1967.

Morven Park International Equestrian Center
Originally called the Morven Park International Equestrian Institute, the facility was built in 1967 under the direction of several noted horsemen and members of the then-United States Combined Training Association in order to satisfy the need for quality instructors necessitated by the closing of the US Army Cavalry Schools. While the Institute closed in 1991, the center continues to operate as a multifaceted events facility, able to accommodate the needs of most shows and competitions. Built on 1,000 plus acres, the facility includes indoor and outdoor arenas, a renowned steeplechase course, carriage obstacles and a beautiful series of cross-country courses.

Fun Events in Virginia - A full calendar of things to do in Leesburg and Northern Virginia
In addition to the wonderful mansion and gardens at Morven Park there is a full calendar of family events year round. See our full calendar of Loudoun fun below.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family Fun Events Day Trips, Getaways, and Fun things to do in Loudoun and Leesburg VA
August Events:

Travel through Time: The Winmill Carriage Collection Museum at Morven Park
Sundays, April 6th through June 29th 1 PM – 4PM Named for Viola Winmill of Warrenton, the museum includes an incredible variety of horse-drawn vehicles from the mid-19th and early-20th centuries, including buggies, coaches, a fire engine, and a hearse. Held at the Morven Park Mansion Area Sundays
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From Swann’s Castle to Governor’s Mansion Exploring an Old Southern Estate
Fridays and Mondays, April 4th through June 30th Saturdays, April 5th & 12th, May 3rd & June 7th 11AM – 4PM
Learn of the transition of the 19th century plantation of Thomas Swann, Jr., Governor of Maryland, into the early 20th century farm and hunt-country estate of Virginia Governor Westmoreland Davis; guided tour includes a look at the exterior of the Greek Revival mansion (under extensive restoration), exhibits, gardens, carriage collection, and Civil War sites.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Monday: VADA/NOVA board meeting
All VADA/Nova Board of Directors meetings are open to the general membership and the Board welcomes any visitors.
The meetings are held the second Monday of each month at 7:30pm at Morven Park International Equestrian Center (in the lounge/office)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Held at the Equestrian Center Aug. 2-3: VRPC Prep/Testing
Contact: Carol Noggle
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Held at the Equestrian Center Aug. 9-10: The Summer Fling Dressage Show
Contact: Shannon Pedlar sgp588@hotmail.com
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Held at the Equestrian Center Aug. 13 : Morven Park/LTRF Jumper Schooling Show
Contact: Shannon Pedlar 703-777-2890 Download an Entry Form
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Held at the Equestrian Center Aug. 16 : LTRF Fun Show
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Held at the Equestrian Center Aug. 16 : DerbyCross
Contact: Dana Vorhees 540-687-3226
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Held at the Equestrian Center Aug. 30-31: LHPC Horse Trials Stabling
Contact: Vicki Fox 703-737-3696

 

 

 

July Events:

Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Summer Camp
Held at the Equestrian Center June 20-July 3:
Contact: Margaret Good 703-777-8776
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Held at the Equestrian Center July 5-6: Virginia Regional Pony Club Prep/Testing
Contact: Carol Noggle cnogg@comcast.net
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Held at the Morven Park Mansion Area July 12-13: Not Just Shakespeare’s performances of “As You Like It”
6 PM At the Reflecting Pool in the Boxwood Gardens of Morven Park
Visit www.notjustshakespeare.net
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Held at the Equestrian Center July 13: Winmill Carriage Summer Fun Drive
Contact: Lee Heuer 703-779-1894
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Held at the Equestrian Center July 16: Morven Park/LTRF Jumper Schooling Show
Contact: Shannon Pedlar 703-777-2890
Download an Entry Form
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Held at the Morven Park Mansion Area July 19-20: Not Just Shakespeare’s performances of “As You Like It”
6 PM At the Reflecting Pool in the Boxwood Gardens of Morven Park
Visit www.notjustshakespeare.net
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Held at the Equestrian Center July 19-20: USDF Region 1 Junior Team Dressage Competition
Contact: Alison Head 540-338-7810
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Held at the Morven Park Mansion Area July 26-27: Not Just Shakespeare’s performances of “As You Like It”
6 PM At the Reflecting Pool in the Boxwood Gardens of Morven Park
Visit www.notjustshakespeare.net
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Held at the Equestrian Center July 26-27: The Summer Dressage Classic
Contact: Shannon Pedlar sgp588@hotmail.com

 

 

September events:

Held at the Equestrian Center Every Tuesday/Thursday: Pony Club Classes
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Held at the Morven Park Mansion Area Sept. 6-7: NBCC Agility Trials
Contact: Sandy McDonald 703-669-1325
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Held at the Equestrian Center Sept. 6-7 : EEMI Harvest Sport Horse Breed Show
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Held at the Equestrian Center Sept. 6-7 : Virginia Irish Festival
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Held at the Equestrian Center Sept. 10 : Morven Park/LTRF Jumper Schooling Show
Contact: Shannon Pedlar 703-777-2890 Download an Entry Form
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Held at the Equestrian Center Sept. 20-21: VADA/NOVA Recognized Dressage Show

 

Ocober events:

Held at the Equestrian Center Oct. 1-5: Morven Park CCI* and Advanced Horse Trials/Young Event Horse Championship
Contact: Shannon Pedlar 703-777-2890
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Held at the Equestrian Center Oct. 7-9: George Morris Clinic
Contact: Shannon Pedlar 703-777-2890
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Held at the Equestrian Center Oct. 11: Morven Park Steeplechase Races
Contact: 703-777-2414
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Held at the Equestrian Center Oct. 17-18: Loudoun Hospital Ladies' Board Rummage Sale
Contact: 703-771-2985
The 70th Ladies Board Rummage Sale is Friday, October 17 and Saturday, October 18, 2008 at Morven Park International Equestrian Center . Sale hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. both days with a special “early bird” buying hour by ticketed admission only. Last year’s sale grossed $123,000 and all proceeds support Ladies Board projects.

This is a much loved, annual event regarded by many as the “biggest treasure hunt and bargain shopping extravaganza in Loudoun County” if not all of Northern Virginia. You’ll understand when you see the nearly 40,000 square feet of trinkets and treasures – all under cover in the arenas and barns at the Equestrian Center. You can find furniture, antiques, clothing for the entire family, designer labels at the French Room, household items, décor and holiday pieces, small electrical appliances, tools, sporting and exercise equipment, collectibles, gift and boutique items. You can find just about everything here, including some years a kitchen sink!

Many fine items are also available at the one-day-only Silent Auction held on Friday, October 17. Bidding closes at 2:00 p.m. on Friday and items must be paid for that day.


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Oct. 19 : Leesburg Punkin' Hurl
Held at the Equestrian Center
Contact: Pete Hilgartner 703-431-7985
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Oct. 25-26: VRPC Testing
Held at the Equestrian Center
Contact: Carol Noggle cnogg@comcast.net

 

While you are visiting Morven Park you may also be interested in visiting the following locations:

Winmill Carriage Museum 17263 Southern Planter Ln Leesburg, VA Tel: 703-777-2414
watch video

Located at Historic Morven Park, this museum is named for Viola Townsend Winmill of Warrenton and includes carriages she collected during her lifetime. A wide variety of antique horse-drawn vehicles from the mid-1800s and the early 1900s are featured in this unique collection. Included in the exhibits are a hansom Cab, a miniature coach that belonged to Tom Thumb of Barnum & Bailey Circus, a 19th century hearse, a Silsby Fire Engine, and many others. Viola Winmill caused quite a stir driving her "coach and six." Our guides will share her experiences and her collection with you. Meet at the Coach House Visitors Center for the tour.



Ball's Bluff Battlefield Regional Park Ball's Bluff Rd. Leesburg, VA 703-737-7800
watch video

This park preserves the site of the Battle of Ball's Bluff. This 1861 clash was the largest to take place in the county during the Civil War. It occurred along the banks of the Potomac River, where the Union fell backward into the river in a defeat that merited the first congressional investigation on war. The national cemetery here is one of the smallest in the country, where 54 Union soldiers are buried (only one of whose identity is known). A one mile loop hiking trail offers interpretive signs. No public restrooms.

George C. Marshall International Center at Dodona Manor 217 Edwards Ferry Rd Leesburg, VA
Tel: 703-777-1880
watch video

The George C. Marshall International Center at Dodona Manor offers tours of the restored former home of General George C. Marshall, Architect of Allied Victory for World War II, Special Ambassador to China, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and Nobel Peace Laureate. Ninety percent of the furnishings and memorabilia are original to the Marshall period of residency, from 1941-1959. The home is situated on four acres of land in downtown Leesburg, and is currently under garden restoration.

Historic Morven Park 17263 Southern Planter Ln. Leesburg, VA Tel: 703-777-2414
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This 1,000-acre estate, home of World War I-era Virginia Governor Westmoreland Davis, includes history spanning over 200 years. Tours change frequently, highlighting the Confederate camp located here during the Civil War, Davis’ contributions during World War I, the 19th century Winmill Carriage Collection of horse-drawn carriages, and Marguerite Davis’ boxwood gardens. The historic mansion and Museum of Hounds & Hunting are currently closed to the public for extensive interior and exterior restoration. Meet at the Coach House Visitors Center for the tour.

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center 14390 Air and Space Museum PkwyChantilly, VA
Tel: 703-572-4118 watch video

The Udvar-Hazy Center is the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum companion center near Dulles International Airport. The 760,000-square-foot hangar facility has 125 aircraft and 130 major spacecraft including the SR-71 Blackbird, the Boeing B-29 Superfortress “Enola Gay”, and the space shuttle Enterprise. Enjoy the museum, have lunch, watch air traffic at Dulles Airport from the observation tower, immerse yourself in an IMAX movie, ride a simulator, and take home a memento from the Museum Store.

Smithsonian Institution Naturalist Center741 Miller Drive SE, Ste. G-2Leesburg, VA Tel: 800-729-7725
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Explore over 36,000 rocks, fossils, plants, animals, and artifacts. (Ages 10 and older.)The Naturalist Center in Loudoun County, Virginia, invites visitors to use its 36,000 object hands-on collection of natural history objects, books, and scientific equipment. Identify natural objects and curiosities, draw work on school projects, or just browse.