The Sully Foundation Records consist of 2.5 linear feet and span the years 1959-2009, and contains meeting minutes, correspondence,
reports, financial reports, catalog records, invitations, newspaper clippings, brochures, microfilm, photographs, magazines,
a galley proof, and a certificate.
Sully Foundation Records, MSS 05-42, Virginia Room, Fairfax County Public Library
Acquisition Information
A small portion of this collection was donated at an unknown time. The Sully Foundation through Lee Hubbard donated the bulk
of this collection in August 2010.
Processing Information
Logan Tapscott, 2016 updated by Chris Barbuschak, 2018 EAD generated by Ross Landis, 2018
In October 1969, Robert E. “Eddie” Wagstaff established the Sully Foundation Ltd. to promote and support the preservation
and interpretation of the Sully Historic Site, also known as Sully Plantation. Henry Lee I purchased the plantation in 1725,
and gave it to his son, Richard Bland Lee, in 1794. Several families lived on the plantation until the Fairfax County Park
Authority acquired the site in 1959, saving it from demolition during the construction of Dulles International Airport.
Wagstaff, who was largely instrumental in saving Sully from destruction, formed the Sully Foundation to promote the site’s
educational value and to maintain, further develop, and restore the house. The Foundation sought to use Sully for educational
purposes by providing tours and encouraging visitors. The organization also sought to restore and furnish the plantation and
its grounds through the solicitation of financial gifts and donations of artifacts. The Foundation consisted of a directorate
of six to fifteen persons of which Wagstaff named the original group. Wagstaff died only a few months after he donated his
life’s savings to create the Sully Foundation in August 1970.
In 1971, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors expressed a desire to publish a manuscript on the history of Sully Plantation.
The Fairfax County Office of Comprehensive Planning appointed Robert S. Gamble to prepare a study which resulted in the 1974
publication of the book “Sully: The Biography of a House”. The Sully Foundation supported and underwrote the book’s publication
and later received publication rights for it. Gamble’s book is now widely regarded as the definitive study on Sully Plantation.
In 1996, the Fairfax County Park Authority erected a plaque in front of Sully in commemoration of the Sully Foundation’s many
years of service towards preserving the house.
The Sully Foundation Records consist of 2.5 linear feet and span the years 1959-2009, and contains meeting minutes, correspondence,
reports, financial reports, catalog records, invitations, newspaper clippings, brochures, microfilm, photographs, magazines,
a galley proof, and a certificate. Subjects covered are the Sully Foundation’s efforts in preserving and promoting Sully Plantation.
Series 1: Administrative Records, 1959-2009, Boxes 1-2
This series contains meeting minutes, correspondence, reports, articles of incorporation papers, magazines, periodicals, a
book, invitations, newspaper clippings, and a certificate. Meeting minutes, correspondence, and staff reports are interfiled
together chronologically as was maintained by the Sully Foundation. Of particular note is a letter from 1975 signed by First
Lady Betty Ford in which she declined an invitation to Sully’s restoration reception.
Series 2: Financial Records, 1970-2008, Boxes 2-3
This series contains financial statements, reports, and account books for the Sully Foundation.
Series 3: Photographs, 1967-1974, Box 3
The photographs in this series depict various scenes at Sully including Robert Gamble’s 1974 book signing for “Sully: The
Biography of a House” which was attended by Mary Haight, Alex Haight, and Ben Peck; the 1967 Garden Week Candlelight tour
at Sully; various women in period dress at Sully; and a street map of the Falls Church, VA area. Also included is an undated
print of Sully depicted as it looked circa 1800 by Joseph Pisani.
Series 4: Catalog Records, 1962-1980, Box 4
Throughout its existence, the Sully Foundation acquired books, periodicals, and artifacts of which they maintained catalog
records for. There are two duplicate sets of catalog records included in this series; one set is in a folder and another in
a small box.
Series 5: “Sully: The Biography of a House”, 1974-1994, Boxes 4-5
This series contains the cover and galley proof for “Sully: The Biography of a House” by Robert S. Gamble, as well as Gamble’s
author’s introduction to the 1994 edition. Also included is a microfilm reel containing the Haight-Barlow Papers which consists
of genealogical papers, correspondence, miscellaneous deeds, contracts, receipts, business papers, and an account book dating
from 1816-1889 from the Haight-Barlow family of Sully. Robert Gamble received permission to microfilm these papers from their
owners, Mr. and Mrs. Vernon W. Barlow, Sr. of Humboldt, Kansas. The current status and location of these papers is unknown.
Articles of Incorporation and Correspondence ,
1969
Box 1
Folder 2
Articles of Incorporation Amendments, Tax Exemption Status, and Correspondence,
1970
Box 1
Folder 3
Meeting Minutes, Correspondence, and Reports,
1969-1972
Box 1
Folder 4
Meeting Minutes, Correspondence, and Reports,
1973-1974
Box 1
Folder 5
Meeting Minutes, Correspondence, and Reports,
1975-1979
Box 1
Folder 6
Meeting Minutes, Correspondence, and Reports,
1980-1999
Box 1
Folder 7
Meeting Minutes, Correspondence, and Reports,
2000
Box 1
Folder 8
Meeting Minutes, Correspondence, and Reports,
2001
Box 1
Folder 9
Meeting Minutes, Correspondence, and Reports,
2002
Box 1
Folder 10
Meeting Minutes, Correspondence, and Reports,
2003
Box 1
Folder 11
Meeting Minutes, Correspondence, and Reports,
2004
Box 2
Folder 1
Meeting Minutes, Correspondence, and Reports,
2005
Box 2
Folder 2
Meeting Minutes, Correspondence, and Reports,
2006
Box 2
Folder 3
Meeting Minutes, Correspondence, and Reports,
2007
Box 2
Folder 4
Meeting Minutes, Correspondence, and Reports,
2008
Box 2
Folder 5
Meeting Minutes, Correspondence, and Reports,
2009
Box 2
Folder 6
"Legislation relating to Second Washington Airport" (History of the Sully Planation on pages 7-21),
1959
Box 2
Folder 7
Report on Restoration of Sully Plantation, Chantilly, Virginia for Fairfax County Park Authority, Garland A. Wood & Associates,
1960
Box 2
Folder 8
Magazine, "Echoes of History" Vol. 1, No. 3 (article about Little Sully),
1971 March
Box 2
Folder 9
Magazine, "Virginia Cardinal" ("Christmas at Sully" by Claire S. Muller, pg. 25),
1972 December
Box 2
Folder 10
Book, "A History of the Fairfax County Park Authority",
1982
Box 2
Folder 11
Sully Dwelling House Downspouts Selected Documentation ,
1990
Box 2
Folder 12
A Furnishings Plan for the South Lane Slave Quarters a Representative Exhibit at Sully Historic Site by Jeanne Niccolls,
1998
Box 2
Folder 13
Highlights of the Sully Restoration,
Undated
Box 2
Folder 14
Invitation, Reception honoring Robert S. Gamble, author of "Sully: The Biography of a House" ,
1974
Box 2
Folder 15
Invitation, Freedom Hill Chapter, NSDAR installation of Historic Marker at Sully,
1980
Box 2
Folder 16
Invitation, 200th anniversary of Sully Plantation,
1994
Box 2
Folder 17
Brochures,
1974
Box 2
Folder 18
Newspaper clippings [photocopies],
Undated
Box 2
Folder 19
Certificate of Resolution, Sully Foundation donation to Fairfax County Park Authority for Sully fire and security system [includes
photos of Mayo Stuntz accepting plaque],
1998
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