Reston is sort of an odd duck — an Epcot-like planned community named for its founder Robert E. Simon — and anyone curious about how it came together can learn all about it at a walking tour this weekend.
The Reston Museum has opened registration for a historic walking tour.
The tours are scheduled for 10 a.m.-11 a.m. on Saturday, April 20, April 27, May 18 and May 25.
“Learn about the founding of Reston through our historic walking tour,” the Reston Museum said. “Learn about how Reston’s founding principles were implemented and the early history of Reston’s art and architecture.”
Tickets are $10 for non-museum members or free for museum members.
Reston founder Bob Simon Jr. will once again be the focus of celebrations next month during the annual Founder’s Day celebration.
The festivities are set to take place at Lake Anne Plaza (1609 Washington Plaza North) on April 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It began as a celebration of Simon’s 90th birthday in 2004, when artist Zachary Oxman unveiled a sculpture commemorating him.
Organizers say this year — which is the 20th anniversary of the event — is “extra special” for several reasons.
“Besides being the 20th anniversary of Founder’s Day, the event will also celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Reston documentary ‘Reston: Another Way of Living‘ and is in remembrance of what would have been Simon’s 110th birthday,” Reston Museum Executive Director Alexandra Campbell said.
The celebration will kick off at 11 a.m. with a community cleanup. The afternoon program features a reading of Reston’s 1966 dedication and remarks from local elected officials. Performances and exhibits are also planned.
It will also feature a book fair celebrating local authors, bookshops and community organizations. Authors in the “Pages on the Plaza” fair will speak at their booths, Reston Museum, Reston Community Center and Reston’s Used Book Shop.
“The addition of a Book Fair as a component of Founder’s Day is a wonderful way to celebrate Reston’s living legacy and also April as National Poetry Month and National School Library Month,” Campbell said. “Featured in the program this year is Reston’s Used Book Shop, which has been at Lake Anne Plaza since the 1970s and is Reston’s oldest bookshop still here today.”
Between 2 and 4 p.m., attendees can also decorate a journal with Public Art Reston at Reston Art Gallery & Studios.
The event is presented by Reston Museum and Reston Community Center with support from Public Art Reston.
It’s been 20 years since an iconic sculpture honoring Reston’s founder Robert E. Simon was unveiled at Lake Anne Plaza.
To celebrate the anniversary of the sculpture’s installation, Reston Museum is hosting an event featuring its creator, artist Zachary Oxman. The event will take place at Reston Community Center Lake Anne (1609-A Washington Plaza North) next Wednesday, March 13 at 7 p.m.
“We are thrilled to host Mr. Oxman for our March program,” Reston Museum Executive Director Alexandra Campbell said. “It’s a perfect start to our Founder’s Day 20th-anniversary celebrations, highlighting the installation of the ‘Bronze Bob’ sculpture. We will also feature photographs from the sculpture’s original unveiling throughout March at the museum.”
The event will also feature longtime Restonian Cheryl Terio-Simon, widow of Bob Simon Jr. and author of the book “Community is What It Is All About: An Ode to Lake Anne.”
The artist talk is free, but registration is required.
Known officially as “Untold Stories” and informally as “Bronze Bob,” the statue will get a full anniversary celebration next month as part of Founder’s Day, which will be held on April 6 this year.
Oxman’s sculpture has become a “cherished symbol of Reston’s rich heritage,” Reston Museum says.
A Carnegie Mellon University alumnus with a bachelor’s of fine arts degree, the artist is also the brain behind Convergence, a sculpture at the Aperture Apartments in Reston Station.
“His career and contributions to public art underscore a deep connection to community and storytelling through sculpture,” Reston Museum said.
Restonians now have a chance to own a piece of their community’s history.
Reston Museum, which is located at Lake Anne Plaza, will hold a raffle over the next month for a chance to win vintage plates that were used at the Bowman House during the early years of Reston’s formation.
Tickets are $5 for one raffle entry and $20 for five entries. They are available for purchase throughout March.
All proceeds from the raffle will benefit Reston Museum, a nonprofit organization that aims to preserve Reston’s past, inform the present and influence the future.
The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday at 1639 Washington Plaza.
Located at what is now an office park on Bowman Green Drive, the Bowman house was built in 1941 and operated as a distillery. The house was used by Robert Simon, Reston’s founder, in the 1960s, as he began planning Reston. It was renovated into an office park in 1984, according to Reston Museum.
The battle to integrate Fairfax County Public Library and other library systems in the region will be the focus of a Reston-based event for Black History Month.
Authors Chris Barbuschak and Suzanne LaPierre will offer a look at the overlooked history of segregated library services in Northern Virginia at the Feb. 21 event organized by Reston Museum. It’s slated to begin at 7 p.m. at Reston Community Center’s Lake Anne facility (1609-A Washington Plaza North).
The program focuses on the librarians’ book, “Desegregation in Northern Virginia Libraries.”
“We are thrilled to have Mr. Barbuschak and Ms. Lapierre speak at our February program about their book,” Reston Museum Executive Director Alexandra Campbell said. “Those interested in reading the book in advance can purchase the book at the museum or the day of the program. It is an insightful book and I encourage everyone to read it.”
The book highlights how libraries were inaccessible to Black residents — even after the landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education that found segregation to be unconstitutional. Ultimately, civil rights activists used protests and lawsuits to gain equitable library services.
The 208-page book, which was published last January, is available online. Registration for the upcoming author talk is available through Reston Museum’s website.
Reston’s now-annual celebration of all things Lego is ready for assembly.
Bricks by the Lake will return to Lake Anne Plaza for a third year on Saturday, Jan. 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hosted by Reston Museum and Reston Community Center, the event centers on a Lego-building competition and is timed to nearly coincide with International Lego Day, which arrives annually on Jan. 28 — the day Danish carpenter Godtfred Kirk Christiansen submitted his patent for the original Lego brick.
“We’re excited to host this event just in time to celebrate National LEGO Day on Jan 28th!” Reston Museum Executive Director Alexandra Campbell said. “For those who don’t want to compete we will be offering a lot of fun free activities. In previous years, we have heard how great it is to have a competition focused on creativity and we can’t wait to see what everyone builds!”
While the overall event is free, registration is required to participate in the competition, which comes with a $50 fee that covers 500 bricks for up to four people. A $150 contribution includes a preorder of this year’s limited-edition brick kit — a replica of Lake Anne’s Van Gogh Bridge, designed by local artist Nathan Hagan.
Sponsored by FGM Architects and Reston Art Gallery and Studios, the limited-edition kit can also be purchased from Reston Museum in person and online. The museum is offering a discount for buyers of both this year’s kit and last year’s Lookout Tower kit, which is still available.
All proceeds from the competition, which will take place from noon to 12:45 p.m., support the nonprofit Reston Museum. The winners will be awarded in a ceremony at 1:45 p.m.
In addition to the contest, the 2024 edition of Bricks by the Lake will feature an exhibit of Master Builds by the Charm City Lego Users’ Group, light refreshments, free play at Reston Museum and crafts led by Reston Art Gallery.
Most activities will be held at Reston Museum (1639 Washington Plaza North) and RCC’s Lake Anne facility (1609-A Washington Plaza N), but other Lake Anne Plaza merchants are involved as well. Chesapeake Chocolates, for instance, will be selling brick-themed sweets.
Outside of Bricks by the Lake and private events, Reston Museum is closed this month so its shop can get a refresh and staff can plan the upcoming year, which will include a new exhibit on the Carter Glass Library set to open on Feb. 1.
This year will mark the 20th anniversary of Founder’s Day, Reston’s annual community celebration.
The festivities will be held this year on April 6 from noon to 4 p.m. at Lake Anne Plaza (1609 Washington Plaza North), organizer Reston Museum announced today.
Presented by Reston Museum in conjunction with Reston Community Center and Public Art Reston, Founder’s Day was initially conceived in 2004 as a celebration of Reston founder Robert E. Simon’s 90th birthday. Since then, it has served as a showcase for “how Reston’s community continues to live the legacy established by Simon,” according to the museum.
While details of this year’s event won’t come until later, it will include live music and performances, a community clean-up led by Volunteer Reston, a book fair and various family-friendly activities, per a press release.
Reston Museum is currently seeking authors, community organizations and food service businesses to serve as vendors for the book fair.
“Space is limited, and priority is being given to local literacy-focused nonprofits, authors, and food vendors,” Reston Museum said. “Local nonprofits without a literary focus will be given second priority.”
Anyone who’s interested can obtain an application from Reston Museum Executive Director Alex Campbell at alex.campbell@restonmuseum.org. Approved vendors will be charged “a small fee” for their booth.
Last year’s Founder’s Day included a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the installation of a Little Free Art Gallery at Reston Museum, along with cake and performances by South Lakes High School Theater, Reston Community Players and more.
For those unsure what to get their loved ones this holiday season, Reston Museum has created a gift-giving guide with niche gift ideas.
The guide includes gifts for kids, collectors, and history lovers. All gift shop proceeds will support Reston Museum’s work.
New items in this year’s collection include pint glasses, Reston-inspired pins, and mugs with new designs.
“Over 70% of the Museum’s gift shop items are custom made or specifically feature Reston,” Reston Museum Executive Director Alexandra Campbell said. “From unique stocking stuffers to our best-selling books such as ‘Community is what it is all about: An Ode to Lake Anne’ by Cheryl Terio-Simon the gift shop has something for everyone that will truly feel special.”
The guide is available online, but museum organizers say the most comprehensive selection is available at the shop itself.
Reston Museum members get 10% off of gift shop items.
“November and December are the perfect time to visit the museum to view the Famous Restonians Exhibit, shop, or join the Puzzle Swap event happening on December 2nd,” Campbell stated.
Visitors who bring a puzzle set to the museum on Dec. 2 will get to swap their item for another puzzle. In addition, all items will be 10% off that day.
Reston Museum is located in Lake Anne Plaza at 1639 Washington Plaza. Admission is free, and the nonprofit museum is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day, except on Saturdays (when operating hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and Mondays, when it’s closed.
Seven homes will be showcased in Reston Museum’s annual Reston Home Tour.
The 21st iteration of the event is set for Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Participants will have the chance to take part in self-guided tours with volunteer docents at each of the seven homes, which are related to the theme, “A Style All Their Own.”
“Starting with the original architectural elements of their homes, each homeowner thoughtfully created new designs and spaces – and added unique features – to make the home their own,” Reston Museum Executive Director Alex Campbell said. “We hope everyone enjoys all the delightfully personal pieces and meaningful artwork showcased throughout the tour. Each homeowner beautifully integrated their style – and we are so thankful they agreed to share their home with us.”
Lake Anne Coffee House and Wine Bar will host a bites and bubbles event from 11 a.m to 4 p.m. that day, and there will be a wine tasting and appetizer samples at The Wine Cabinet in North Point Village Center from 1 to 5 p.m.
Early bird tickets are now on sale for $30 through Oct. 3. Tickets can be purchased at Reston Museum (1639 Washington Plaza) or online.
Reston Museum is launching “Famous Restonians,” a new program that features individuals raised in Reston who have excelled in their fields.
Set for Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. at Reston Community Center Lake Anne, the program will include individuals like “Jeopardy!” champion Eddie Timanus, Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-New Jersey), and WTOP reporter Dave Dildine.
Although the program is free, registration is required.
“The Reston Museum is proud to celebrate these remarkable individuals, all of whom grew up in Reston and have achieved excellence in their chosen fields,” Reston Museum Executive Director Alex Campbell said. “We look forward to hearing their memories of growing up in Reston and the journey that led them to where they are today.”
Last year’s event featured Nate Mook, former CEO of Central World Kitchen.
Here’s a breakdown on the biographies of the featured participants from Reston Museum:
Eddie Timanus is a reporter and content producer for USA TODAY Sports and is known for his 1999 five-game winning streak on the game show Jeopardy! and for being the first blind contestant to appear on the show. He was also a semifinalist in the 2000 Tournament of Champions and appeared in several subsequent tournaments, most recently 2014’s Battle of the Decades. He was also a contestant on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire in 2004. Timanus moved to Reston with his family in 1981 and graduated from South Lakes High School in 1986. Eddie compiles the USA Today Coaches Poll and writes the preview section for college football games in addition to his sports articles.
Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill represents New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District. After graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1994, Congresswoman Sherrill spent almost 10 years on active duty in the United States Navy as a helicopter pilot. After leaving the Navy in 2003, she earned a law degree from Georgetown University and served as a federal prosecutor. Elected to Congress in 2018, Congresswoman Sherrill sits on the House Armed Services Committee and the new House Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Kia Lowe began her career in the investment world and after eight years, transitioned to the world of cosmetics first in a management position at L’Oreal and then serving as Vice President at both Lancome Paris and Kiehl’s Since 1851. Earlier this year, Kia was named the CEO of John Legend’s newly launched skin care brand, LOVED01. Kia grew up in Reston and attended Forest Edge Elementary School and Langston Hughes Middle School. After graduating from the University of Virginia, Kia earned her MBA from Columbia University.
Dave Dildine is an multi-award-winning traffic and weather reporter for WTOP News Radio, serving the Washington DC region. Dave joined WTOP in 2010 and can be heard “on the 8s and when it breaks” during the week. A Reston native, Dave attended Langston Hughes Middle and South Lakes High Schools before venturing off to George Mason University. Dave has also received recognition for his photography of severe weather, landing one photograph on the front page of the Washington Post and Wall Street Journal.
All featured individuals will speak in person, except Dildine, who will appear via a pre-recorded interview.
