Mt. Zion historic park opens for “Eyewitness to War” tours

The historic 1851 Mt. Zion Baptist Church, sitting alongside Rt. 50 east of Gilbert’s Corner, will open its doors to the public on the 4th Sundays of the month beginning on April 26th, from 1p.m. to 5p.m.  It will be open each fourth Sunday of the month through October.

Used as a place of worship by members of the Old School Baptists from 1851 until 1980, Mt. Zion Church and its adjoining cemetery witnessed fighting during the Civil War, but also served in the aftermath of battle as a hospital for the wounded and as a final resting place for some who fought in the war.  It’s also known as the first, and frequent, meeting site of Confederate guerilla fighter John Singleton Mosby and his Rangers, and saw intermittent use as a barracks and prison during the war. 

As in past years, the 4th Sunday programs will highlight the Civil War history of the church, but visitors will also hear of its early beginnings as a place of worship in the Aldie community.  Local historian Wynne Saffer will share the church’s history, as well as that of the adjacent cemetery.  Volunteer Jim Cromer will be on hand to interpret the use of the site as a field hospital after the cavalry battles of Aldie, Middleburg and Upperville in June of 1863, and historic graffiti found on sections of the interior walls will be on view.  According to Site Manager Tracy J. Gillespie, “Mt. Zion is one of several sites where soldiers from both North and South spent time, recuperating from wounds or illness. Perhaps as a way to say ‘I was here and I mattered,’ they sometimes signed their names and regiment affiliation on the walls.”  Mt. Zion is one of five sites featured on the Northern Virginia Civil War Graffiti Trail.

Admission to the fourth Sunday programs & tours is free, but donations are gratefully accepted. 

For more information, contact Tracy J. Gillespie at [email protected] or call her at Aldie Mill Historic Park, 703-327-9777. Mt. Zion Historic Park is owned and operated by NOVA Parks.  For more information, visit www.NOVAParks.com.