Oatlands-National Trust Site

10/21/2026

Leaf watch: Wander through Oatlands’ 400 acres of trails, sweeping hills and grand old trees. This week, fall colors are emerging. Painters are sprucing up the mansion columns. And hydrangeas in the historic gardens are still going strong. Peep us at https://oatlands.org/

10/16/2026

Three National Trust Historic Sites – Oatlands-National Trust Site, Shadows on the Teche, Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House – have new directors within the past year. All three places are former sites of enslavement, each striving to tell the complex stories of their past. In this National Trust for Historic Preservation article, the directors describe their visions for the future. https://savingplaces.org/stories/national-trust-leaders-woodlawn-shadows-oatlands

Three executive directors of National Trust Historic Sites who have come on board within the last year talk about how they are approaching preservation and interpretation at their respective sites.

10/15/2026

Today is the 60th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act. In 1966, the act became law to help preserve historically and culturally significant sites that were being lost at an alarming rate either through demolition or neglect.

Currently, proposed changes to Section 106 of the act are threatening to gut the protections it put in place to keep America’s treasured sites safe. It’s not about stopping construction but producing a mutually beneficial outcome.

You can do something about it. Go to https://savingplaces.org/section106 where you’ll find:
• One-pager
• FAQ
• Myth v. Fact
• Map of success stories
• Template for an advocacy letter to elected officials

Follow National Trust for Historic Preservation on social media to keep up with the latest developments. Thank you!

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation is advancing changes to the Section 106 process of the National Historic Preservation Act. If adopted, these rules would eliminate public participation in federal preservation decisions and strip protection from significant landscapes.

10/14/2026

In the 1800s, could mourners wear any of this? Find out at a tea in Oatlands' Carriage House on October 25. While you enjoy classic tea sandwiches and sweets from The Tea Cart, local historian Kelly Wenner White will present an overview of Victorian-era mourning wear and customs. More at https://oatlands.org/event/halloween-tea-2/

10/09/2026

In July, Oatlands had the immense pleasure of hosting "Seeing Our Humanity," the signature event of the National Trust for Historic Preservation "Justice for All" series of descendant-centered programs.

Relive the day – and watch videos – of a conversation with actor and humanitarian Djimon Hounsou and Brent Leggs, president and CEO of the National Trust; panels discussing memorialization and reconciliation; and musical performances by Washington Revels ensemble Jubilee Voices.

Find it all here: https://savingplaces.org/stories/where-history-meets-humanity-at-oatlands

A look back at "Seeing Our Humanity"—the National Trust's signature America 250: Justice for All event—held at Oatlands in July 2026.

10/08/2026

Visiting all these sites is such a treat!

One Pass, Endless Discoveries.

Explore Loudoun County’s leading historic and cultural destinations with the Loudoun Heritage Pass.

The discounted package includes admission to Morven Park, Oatlands-National Trust Site, George C. Marshall’s Dodona Manor, the National Sporting Library & Museum and Heritage Farm Museum — making it easy to plan a fall outing with friends, family or a group.

A joint initiative of the George C. Marshall International Center and leading local destinations, the Heritage Pass invites visitors to discover Loudoun’s living landscape and the stories that shaped America.

Passholders also receive 15% off hotel stays at select nearby properties. Passes are valid through December 31, 2026. Spread the word to out-of-town guests who are planning to visit Northern Virginia this fall or next year: https://www.georgecmarshall.org/heritagepass

10/07/2026

Hey, local high schoolers! Oatlands is a beautiful backdrop for Homecoming photos, and we welcome you. Here are some pro tips to make your visit go smoothly:

🚗 If the parking lot is full, use the overflow area – the grassy area behind the parking lot – not the entryway road.

🌺 A $10 garden pass is required of everyone: students and parents. Buy the pass online (to save time) and show it at the Visitor Center when you arrive.

🌾 Buy your garden pass here: https://oatlands.org/product/garden-tickets/

⏰ Depart by the property by 5:30 p.m.

💐 Leave no debris – only the petals from your beautiful bouquets!

10/04/2026

Saturday was a day that epitomized Oatlands. In the morning, runners defied the rain to participate in Miles for Mammograms, a 5K we co-hosted with HealthWorks for Northern Virginia, to help provide life-saving breast cancer screenings for women in our region. In the afternoon, descendants of formerly enslaved people gathered at Oatlands for community and to recite the family names of those buried at Gleedsville Cemetery, honoring the perseverance of their ancestors who made new lives in freedom. More information at https://oatlands.org/descendants/

09/30/2026

Today, Leah Taylor, Invasive Species Program Administrator at the Loudoun Soil and Water Conservation District, checked on our invasive plant removal efforts. Here, she points to the invasive Tree of Heaven, which hosts another invasive species, the Spotted Lanternfly. Bye-bye, tree!

09/25/2026

We’re thrilled to share that Oatlands received a 2026 Community Blue Ribbon Award from the Joint Architectural Review Board of Loudoun County! The award recognizes our “dedication to continue to make a positive and lasting contribution to the preservation of heritage resources in Loudoun County.” We received the award on September 24 at Morven Park, a historic site and international equestrian center in Leesburg, Va.