Residents, Burke Historical Society Celebrate Burke's Roots

Burke residents braved rainy weather to celebrate and learn more about the history of the Burke community at Burke History Day Saturday.

Hosted by the Burke Historical Society (BHS), the free event was held in conjunction with the Burke Volunteer Fire Department's (BVFD) annual open house. There were display booths with maps and other facts, as well as presentations about the history of Burke on tables and walls in the banquet hall of the BVFD.

See photos from the BVFD open house on Patch.

"Burke is full of plenty of great history," said Braddock District Supervisor John Cook. "This event is a great example of folks working together and showcasing what makes Fairfax County a great place to live."

In addition to the displays, historical reenactors, including Jon Vrana (center), president of the who dressed as Col. Silas Burke, and members of the BHS also helped teach visitors about Burke's roots. 

"It's important for people to have an understanding or our rich history and where we come," said Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova during her remarks to event attendees. "It's important that we know that and celebrate that."

Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity echoed Bulova's comments in his remarks as he spoke about riding his bike around the West Springfield and Burke-area as a kid and unknowingly passing through some of Burke's historical sites.

"But it's not just about the sites; it's about the people and preserving their memories," said Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity about the important of events like Burke History Day. "[Historical sites and] facts are lost to most citizens in Burke today and that's why the Burke Historical Society is so important so that we can remember, enjoy and learn from our history."

To learn more about Burke's history, read Patch's three-part series on the identity of Burke:

Part I: Burke: An Oasis Outside the Beltway
Part II: What’s in a Name? A Look at Burke’s Roots
Part III: Amidst Rising Urban Centers, Burke Tries To Find Space of Its Own