Our Origin

 

The Reston Museum first opened its doors on Lake Anne Plaza in November 1997 in the space that was once the Carter Glass 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 20 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 (RHT) 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. That detailed model of Reston in 1990 has been 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.

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In 2004, RHT received a Housing and Urban Development grant for $250,000 to overhaul the physical space. This included upgrading the HVAC system, creating a handicap bathroom, and redesigning the interior. The exhibit committee, Cheryl Terio-Simon, Lynn Lilienthal, Karen Noel, and Vicky Wingert collaborated on the exhibit and text. Miller Architects provided the design, Karen Noel, a retired architect, designed the interior, and Jeanne Krohn of Krohn Design was the exhibit designer. Recycled materials were used when possible. Volunteers supported the museum's efforts to paint and renovate the space.

 

The Reston Museum’s Grand Reopening took place in September of 2009. Robert E. Simon, Lynn Lilienthal (a board member to this day), Supervisor Catherine Hudgins, Vicky Wingert, Delegate Ken Plum, and the Honorable Janet Howell performed the ribbon cutting.

 

Over the years the Museum’s collection of artifacts, written materials, photographs, exhibits, and art has continued to expand. Our rehabilitation in 2009 created a modern space with exhibits showcasing Reston’s history in new, dynamic, and interactive ways.

 

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