About Project:

Gum Springs is the oldest African American Community in Fairfax County, formaly established in 1833. West Ford, a former slave, founded the community after he was freed by Hannah Bushrod Washington in 1805.

Located close to the Mount Vernon Estate,the community was a sanctuary for freedmen and runaways. Samuel Taylor, a runnaway slave established the first institution in Gum Springs, The Bethlehem Baptist church. Assisted by Quakers, the first school was established at Bethlehem. The Gum Springs Historical Society And Museum was established to preserve and disseminate the history of the Gum Springs Community. Many activites, including exhibits and lecturers at the Gum Springs Museum ccelebrate the triumph of this historic black community. Today, Gum Springs has more than 2,500 residents, up to 500 descended from the original families.

Schedule: The Center is open from 6 PM To 8 PM, Monday – Friday. Tuesdays and Saturdays from 1 PM To 3 PM. Keep checking as the schedule will be expanding.

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Additional Information:

The Gum Springs Historical Society's Museum & Cultural Center opened its doors on November 24th, 1996.The Museum receives no Federal or State funding.The Museum is suppported by your generous donations,membership and fund raisers. It is the aim of the Museum to display a dynamic exhibit of the history of the Gum Springs Community. Plans are to eventually make a visit to the Center a vivid multimedia experience via computers and interactive audio-visual displays much like the Smithsonian Institution has done in Washington, DC. We also plan to provide virtual visits to the Center via the Internet. With your help we will make this vision a reality.

Key Facts:

Gum Springs was founded by the patriarchal Freedman, West Ford, whose bones rest near George Washington's at Mount Vernon. Gum Springs has more than 2,500 residents and as many as 500 are descendants of the original families.

Visit the Website

Gum Springs Historical Society and Museum