Fall Meeting, October 13, 2024
Thirteen members of the Virginia Branch met at the ever popular Alpine Chef in Fredericksburg. The guest speaker was SMSgt Carol Rham, USAF (ret.) who spoke about the Military Women's Memorial. In the photo below, Branch Governor Natalie Ardoline, SMSgt Rham, and Second Vice Governor Lea Fowlie.
Spring Meeting, March 10, 2024
Sixteen members of the Virginia Branch met at the Electric Palm in Occoquan, VA for the spring meeting on March 10, 2024. Our guest speaker was Patrick O'Neill, who gave a presentation on Alexandria during the American Revolution.
Fall Meeting, 8 Oct 2023
The Virginia Branch met at our favorite Alpine Chef in Fredericksburg. The guest speaker was Jennifer Hurst-Wender, from Historic Germanna, who spoke about the history of the Germanna settlement and Governor Spotswood. Click on photos below for full view and caption.
Spring Meeting, 12 March 2023
The VA Branch met at D'Roccos Restaurant in Occoquan, VA for our spring luncheon and meeting. The guest speaker was Tom Moncure, who discussed the history of the Great Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The officers for the 2023-25 terms were also elected.
Fall Meeting, 11 Oct 2020, via ZOOM
Due to the current pandemic, 25 Pilgrims attended via ZOOM with First Vice Governor Allison Hoopes presiding.
Spring Meeting, Houlihans, Springfield, 8 Mar 2020
28 Pilgrims and guests attended our Spring meeting at Houlihans in Springfield, VA on 8 Mar. Branch Governor Chuck Poland led the meeting. Our guest speaker was the Reverend Dr. Thomas Costa, portraying Parson Massey, the Rector of Historic Pohick Church during George Washington's time. Rev. Costa is well known throughout the area for his knowledge of colonial religious issues, history and for being a very engaging speaker.
Fall Meeting, Alpine Chef, Fredericksburg, 13 Oct 2019
We had 17 Pilgrims attend our favorite fall meeting place, Alpine Chef (formerly Bavarian Chef) in historic Fredericksburg. Our guest speaker was Anita Harrower, who played the role of a 17th century housewife in Boston as Margaret Edwards.
Virginia Branch Awarded 3rd Outstanding Chapter Award at April 2019 General Court
Semi Annual Meeting, Fiona's, Alexandria, VA, 10 Mar 2019
We had 22 members in attendance at our semi-annual meeting at Fionoa's Irish Pub in Alexandria. After installation of officers by NSSDP Captain General Jacque-Lynne Schulman, we enjoyed another very interesting talk by Barbara Huff, America's History Lady, author of "1776 Historical Places to Visit in America and Their Stories." Ms. Huff, who has spoken to our Branch previously, gave some interesting anecdotes about the American Revolution and explained some misconceptions about the history of that period.
2019-21 Officers (L to R): Ritchie Dagg, Elder; Robert Hoopes, Historian; Janice Welch, Registrar; Paul Walden, Recording Secretary; Natalie Ardoline, 2nd Deputy Governor; Allison Hoopes, 1st Deputy Governor (Governor-elect Charles Poland and Treasurer-elect, Lorraine Sims were unable to attend)
Guest Speaker: Barbara Huff
NSSDP Members Attend Dedication of Wren-Darne Cemetery, Falls Church, VA, 14 July 2018
On 14 July 2018, members of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Children of the American Revolution, National Society United States Daughters of the War of 1812, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Sons of the American Revolution, and Society of the War of 1812, attended a unveiling and dedication of grave markers for members of the Wren and Darne families who served in the American Revolution, War of 1812, and Civil War. The event was sponsored by the Freedom Hills Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Eliza Monroe Chapter of the National Society United States Daughters of the War of 1812, and the General Robert E. Lee Chapter 233, United Daughters of the Confederacy. Beth VanDoren Boswell, Regent, Freedom Hill Chapter NSDAR served as master of ceremonies.
Four grave markers were dedicated: Colonel James Wren, Col. VA Militia, American Revolution; John S. Wren, VA Militia, War of 1812; Robert Darne, Corps d’Elite VA Militia, War of 1812; and John Robert Darne, CSA, Civil War. These patriots are interred in the old family graveyard on the grounds of Longview Plantation in Falls Church, Virginia, built by Patriot James Wren. James Wren was a Colonel in the Fairfax Militia during the American Revolution and later served as Justice of the Peace, Commissioner of Land Tax, and County Sheriff. His manor house, built in 1770, still stands and in fact, the current owners, Mr. and Mrs. David Magness, hosted a reception in the house following the ceremony. Patriot Wren also operated a tavern in Falls Church which was visited by George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, who sought refuge here when the Capital was burned by the British in 1814. Wren also designed the Falls Church and Pohick Church, both which still stand today and remain active Episcopal parishes.
NSSDP Attendees below (left to right): Beth Watkins, DC Branch; Ginger Stephens, VA Branch; Irene Walker, DC Branch; Donna Hall, VA Branch Governor; Paul Walden, Honorary VA Branch Governor and Parliamentarian; Sandra Esty, 1st Deputy Governor VA Branch; Dinah Montgomery, VA Branch; Virginia Hurtes Rouse, Honorary VA Branch Governor and Registrar; Jane Ford, VA Branch
Four grave markers were dedicated: Colonel James Wren, Col. VA Militia, American Revolution; John S. Wren, VA Militia, War of 1812; Robert Darne, Corps d’Elite VA Militia, War of 1812; and John Robert Darne, CSA, Civil War. These patriots are interred in the old family graveyard on the grounds of Longview Plantation in Falls Church, Virginia, built by Patriot James Wren. James Wren was a Colonel in the Fairfax Militia during the American Revolution and later served as Justice of the Peace, Commissioner of Land Tax, and County Sheriff. His manor house, built in 1770, still stands and in fact, the current owners, Mr. and Mrs. David Magness, hosted a reception in the house following the ceremony. Patriot Wren also operated a tavern in Falls Church which was visited by George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, who sought refuge here when the Capital was burned by the British in 1814. Wren also designed the Falls Church and Pohick Church, both which still stand today and remain active Episcopal parishes.
NSSDP Attendees below (left to right): Beth Watkins, DC Branch; Ginger Stephens, VA Branch; Irene Walker, DC Branch; Donna Hall, VA Branch Governor; Paul Walden, Honorary VA Branch Governor and Parliamentarian; Sandra Esty, 1st Deputy Governor VA Branch; Dinah Montgomery, VA Branch; Virginia Hurtes Rouse, Honorary VA Branch Governor and Registrar; Jane Ford, VA Branch
The Virginia Branch received three awards at the 18 Apr 2016 General Court
Branch Newsletters
The following Pilgrims Progress newsletters are listed below:
Feb., 2018
Feb., 2017
Jul, 2016
Jan., 2016
Jun., 2015
Spring, 2015
Oct., 2014
The following Pilgrims Progress newsletters are listed below:
Feb., 2018
Feb., 2017
Jul, 2016
Jan., 2016
Jun., 2015
Spring, 2015
Oct., 2014
Feb. 2018 Newsletter
Feb. 2017 Newsletter
July 2016 Newsletter |
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| july_2016_pilgrims_progress_web_ver.pdf |
January, 2016 Newsletter, including March meeting call
| jan_2016_pilgrims_progress_final.pdf |
| pilgrims_progress_oct_2014_rev.pdf |
