Ashland Manor House

Here follows an excerpt from the 1970 Fairfax County Master Inventory of Historic Sites which contains sites from the Historic American Buildings Survey Inventory:

Ashland:
This place was originally owned and probably built by William Walter Triplett, brother of the owner of nearby "Flag Hill." Some of the features of the structure which attest to the age are the hogs hair plaster on the interior walls, the wavy window glass, and tree trunk beams under the first floor. Wooden brackets embellish the roof line on the gable-ends, which have diamond-shaped attic windows and a dentil cornice adorns the two-story portico. There are nine fireplaces in all, most with simple wooden mantels. Each section of the house has been built at a different level from the portion it joined, necessitating one or two steps up or down at the intervening doorways. A two-story log cabin rear portion of the structure, now used as a kitchen and bedrooms, appears to be the oldest portion. One of the interior doors is of vertical board and batten construction. A deep open pit was dug in the earthen floor of the basement under this portion. One of the additions bears the date 1850. The front portion of the building is of most recent vintage. The oral tradition is that owner and former South Carolina Congressman William Waters Boyce added the two-story portico as well as a side addition.

The grounds are planted with boxwoods, hollys and a large wisteria vine. There is a brick smoke house. There are two wells.

The Triplett family were early grantees in Fairfax. William Triplett served as a vestryman of Truro Parish, along with George Washington and George Mason. Mrs. John D. DeBell owns oil portraits of William Walter Triplett and his wife.

Nearby is a family graveyard enclosed by a stone wall.


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Here follows an excerpt from Donald Hakenson's "This Forgotten Land" tour guide:

The Ashland House was originally owned and probably built by William Walter Triplett, brother of the owner of nearby "Flag Hill." A two story log cabin rear portion of the structure, now used as a kitchen and bedrooms, appears to be the oldest part of the house. One of the additions bears the date 1850. The Triplett family were early grantees in Fairfax. William Triplett served as a vestryman of Truro Parish, along with George Washington and George Mason.

In an interview with Olga Olesen, a former owner of Ashland, she was told that the house was used as a hospital during the Civil War. She also commented that she witnessed an apparition of a soldier apparently dressed in the baggy trousers of a Zouave. So what is a Zouave? A newspaper of the Fifth Pennsylvania dated June 12, 1861 described a Zouave as follows:

"A fellow with a red bag having sleeves to it for a coat, with two red bags without sleeves to them for trousers; with an embroidered and braided bag for a vest; with a cap like a red woolen sauce pan; with yellow boots like the fourth robber in a stage play; with a moustache like two half pound paint brushes..."


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Here follows an excerpt from the Spring 2006 "Franconia Legacies" newsletter published by the Franconia Museum:

“FIRST LADY OF FRANCONIA” - Clara Agnes Bradley Walter
Written by Jac Walker

“One cannot continue to plow in the same old rut.” “Many times my hip pockets were dragging, but I enjoyed every phase of my life and work.” These quotes depict the hard work and involvement of Clara Walter when she and her husband, James, and daughter, Joyce, moved to Franconia in 1938.

Both Clara and James were born in Alexandria, Virginia. Clara Agnes Bradley was born October 4, 1909, and James Robert Walter was born on November 1, 1906. The couple became husband and wife on March 2, 1927.

When the family moved to Franconia, they felt as many do that it was like a big family. This writer can attest to this as I was fortunate to be a part of it. My mother, Ruby Cooke, referred to Clara Walter as the “First Lady of Franconia” as she was very involved in every phase of church and community growth. Over the years, Clara and James were never complacent; they spearheaded many church and community projects in Franconia.

Clara was reared a Catholic and it was not until after her mother passed away that she joined the Franconia Methodist Church, as she thought it to be the friendliest church. The church was located on Beulah Road. She served four years (1951-54) as president of the Franconia Methodist WSCS (Women Society of Christian
Service) now known as United Methodist Women, and nine years as Treasurer.

She organized the first Circles (group meetings in members homes) in the 1950’s when they were part of the
WSCS. She became a great business and salesperson for the church. The building fund for the present church on Franconia Road grew with sales of vanilla, brooms, baskets, and many, many boxes of Jello. Clara sold everywhere, which was not accepted by some who considered her to be “a money changer in the temple." Daughter Joyce recalls picking up newspapers in her wagon every Saturday for the building fund. Joyce also recalls there was a cake made to sell every day.

Clara fondly remembers bringing the pump organ by truck to the grounds of the new church foundation on Franconia Road for a sunrise service in 1947. She also recalls the purchase of a new organ (more Jello sales), and pledges from neighbors for a window or a bench. James made nameplates identifying the church donors. He also filmed the ground breaking and other significant events of the church.

Franconia was also a family based community beyond the church. Both James and Clara were active in the Franconia Volunteer Fire Department. Clara served as Ladies’ Auxiliary President for five years. During that time, there were many stubborn brush fires in the area, including all of present Springfield. Many fires were sparked from passing trains. Upon notification of a fire, the ladies would immediately gather to make sandwiches and prepare drinks which they delivered to firemen at the site.

Together, Clara and James were instrumental in starting the Franconia School PTA in 1939-40, separating school related activities from the Community Civic League. They were active in many school projects including the kitchen (before the cafeteria), and the clearing of land for school playground equipment.

In 1941, the Walters purchased Ashland, a 121-acre farm on Beulah Road. In the late 1940’s, they subdivided most of the farm and named the new development “Walhaven.” Clara named the streets: Walhaven Drive (after the family), Joyce Road (for their daughter), Clames Drive (a combination of Clara and James,) Briarmoor Lane (lots of briars), and Edgewood Drive (edge of the woods.) Meanwhile, James was President of the Franconia Men’s Club. It was later voted to change the name to Franconia Methodist Men (now known as Franconia United Methodist Men.). He also served on the church Board of Trustees. Those visiting the Torpedo Art Center in Alexandria will find his picture in the showcase—he was the youngest master mechanic at the Torpedo Plant during World War II. James spent many active years in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF), having served as Noble Grand in the local lodge, State Grand Master, and twenty years as International Sovereign Grand Treasurer.

The Walters moved back to the city of Alexandria at 2252 King Street in 1972, but retained their membership in the church and their love of Franconia.

Note: This article (revised) appeared in the Franconia United Methodist Church newsletter, The Chimes, in May 1992, an interview by Jac Walker on March 17, 1992. James, Clara and Joyce have passed away but they definitely left their legacies in this community.