Exhibits
Long-term exhibits exploring elements of Reston community life as well as rotating exhibits showcasing the work of students of all ages.
- Permanent Exhibit –12 multi-media panels that tell Reston's story
- Archives - in-house collection of archive materials and objects
- Virtual Exhibit - our on-line look at a sample of the thousands of archival materials collected and catalogued by the Reston Museum
- Photos of the early days of Reston, including: Reston founder, Robert E. Simon, Jr.; Reston’s "new" residents c.1964;
- Goals for the New Town - The seven goals of Reston, as conceived by Robert E. Simon, Jr.
- Timeline – Reston’s milestones
- Oral Histories – gathered by students of Langston Hughes Middle School
- Reston Map – a huge relief map produced by Reston’s developers
Reston Shop
Our own museum shop offering gifts and Reston memorabilia, exhibit-related items, arts and crafts from local artists, books on suburban history, and assorted neat stuff.
Programs & Activities
Regular family activities, special programs for seniors, evening lecture series, hands-on art projects, school events, and historic walking tours.
Community Information
Brochures on community organizations, county services and activities, upcoming events and festivals, tours and information for visitors to Reston.
The Reston Historic Trust (RHT) makes its Museum space available for community use on a rental basis as a public service. Use of the space is subject to the fees and policies indicated in the current Rental Application.
Click here to download Rental Application (18k PDF)
Note: This is an interactive PDF form and may be completed using the Adobe Acrobat™ Reader and emailed, or may be printed and returned via fax or US mail.
History of the Museum
The Reston Museum first opened its doors on Lake Anne Plaza in November 1997 in the space that was once the library. The Museum was the physical manifestation of the Reston Historic Trust, created earlier that year.
The Reston Historic Trust has kept the Museum operating in the same space for more than 11 years.
The initial idea for the Reston Museum came from Sarah Larson and Susann Gerstein, who were inspired by the recent designation of Lake Anne Plaza as a Fairfax County historic district. Larson thought that public events based on Reston’s history would attract more visitors to the Plaza. In 1996 the two women formed the Lake Anne Historic District Task Force, and with input from a number of prominent citizens, their effort began to reach beyond Lake Anne to include all of Reston’s many and diverse neighborhoods. In February 1997, Larson and Gerstein announced the formation of the Reston Historic Trust and its goal to open a museum.
When the Museum opened its door later that year, its exhibits included the famous Reston Model, formerly used in the visitors’ center. The 8-foot by 11-foot model had to be dismantled, transported, and reassembled. (The model is now being cleaned and put under a plastic cover for the Museum’s reopening.) Featured as well was a quilt in hues of brown and blue made by 100 Langston Hughes eighth graders, commemorating Reston’s 30th anniversary. The Museum also launched a series of programs, including art workshops and lectures.
Museum Makeover
The Reston Museum has been completely refurbished and re-opened to the public in September 2009.
Exhibit and store space have been re-configured and we've installed new displays of Reston history, along with rotating topical items. You'll love our new look. Check out the current articles
in Northern Virginia Magazine, Fairfax Times,
and Reston Connection and stay tuned for more excitement!
Check out the eight months of construction progress, then take our monthly quiz of Reston's past.
The Saturday morning children's art workshops continue at the Reston Art Gallery & Studios (ground floor of Heron House). Check the RHT Events page for details of continuing programs.
Our newly renovated space is now available for rent. Check out the 'Rental Space' paragraph on the Storefront Museum page for details and application.
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Bring your friends, your kids, and your curiosity to the Museum at Lake Anne Village Center.
