Jinny Beyer (speaking) and Karen Washburn (to her left) led two groups through the Beyer Residence and the lovely gardens. Formerly the William Gunnell house, it was built circa 1750 and it is believed that George Washington visited the house on occasion. The Gunnell House is on the National Register of Historic Places and has been placed under a permanent conservation trust, which will prevent the 10-acre property from ever being divided.
The Great Falls Historical Society conducted its very first bus tour around sites that George Washington frequented during his lifetime in Great Falls: The locks and the site of the former Matildaville village which were developed by the Pawtomack Company, which he founded to open a waterway from the Shenandoah to the Ohio Valley; the Towlston Grange, which was more than 5,000 acres in George Washington’s day, where his close friend, Bryan Fairfax lived and where he stayed and foxhunted.; the Difficult Run tract of land with an 80-foot drop, where the Colvin Run Mill is currently situated; and the William Gunnell House on Innsbruck Avenue, an aristocratic 1750s structure.
It is presumed that Washington may have visited and stayed there as he and the Gunnells were friends.
Over 30 people participated in the tour. All had one thing in common - they were curious about George Washington and wanted to know as much as they could about his connection to the village.
They were surprised by the depth and breadth of his connection to land and people in Great Falls. Most remarkable was his vision. He envisioned a unified country of many states. He envisioned a mill seat on a piece of land with a big drop. He enjoyed his friends and took advantage of the countryside to foxhunt and more.
The entire group lingered over the fresh, healthy, homemade lunch, as they made new friends, and discussed the implications of all they had seen. The weather cooperated handsomely, and the day was perfect in every way.
The Great Falls Historical Society was formed in 1977 to foster community spirit by bringing the past into the present. The committee who prepared this event included Greg Haymans, Karen Washburn, Nancy Christy, Janet Al Hussaini, Alex Brudno and Kathleen Murphy, as well as Jinny and Sean Beyer who allowed a visit to their remarkable and historically significant home.