Unveiling the Fairfax County Black/African American Historical Marker at Gunnell’s Chapel.
The Black/African American Historical Marker Project celebrated its second installation, this one in Clemyjontri Park, 6317 Georgetown Pike, McLean, on Sept. 21. Fairfax County officials, community members, and Haycock Elementary students and staff gathered to mark the unveiling and dedication ceremony of the Robert Gunnell and Gunnell's Chapel marker. It is part of the Fairfax County Student Marker Project. Gunnell was one of Fairfax County's African-American landowners who played a significant role in its history.
Robert Gunnell and his family founded the Methodist church on the site, which became a center of life for Blacks in the area from the late 1800s until the late 20th century.
According to Jeffery C. McKay, chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the marker celebrates Gunnell's Chapel. McKay emphasized that sharing stories and ensuring we are telling our full history is important. McKay said it is a way for the county: "To focus on equity and to do better ... always to make sure we know what our past is and how we can learn from that and improve.”
Student Noa Herz said that after the students came across Gunnell’s Chapel, they researched it and learned that “it was a school and church for Black people. … I know that Black people didn't get a lot of opportunities to worship and have a good education, so we wanted to share this with the world.”
Dalia A. Plachik, Providence District Supervisor, said that Gunnell's Chapel was among the numerous student nominations the board received for the marker project. “But I think what's so powerful is that it's not just about putting up the marker, right? It really is about learning in the classroom and learning out of the classroom, and for our kids to take pride in turn, learning a little bit more of the history of our community.”
In 2021, the county launched the Black/African American Historical Marker Project. For additional information, go to fairfaxcounty.gov and search for Black Historical Marker.