Progress Update: National Park Service Affiliation

We are pleased to report that the Marshall Center has taken the next step toward affiliation with the National Park Service (NPS), which has issued a preliminary assessment that Dodona Manor would be appropriate for designation as an “affiliated area.” This assessment is based on the house’s historic significance and the diligent level of care it receives.

"Affiliated areas” are owned and operated by organizations with a formal relationship with the NPS. Via this partnership, we would gain access to technical resources, preservation expertise and branded graphics. This preliminary assessment is based on a NPS reconnaissance survey prepared at the request of Rep. Jennifer Wexton, Sen. Mark R. Warner and Sen. Tim Kaine. Stay tuned for updates! Check out coverage by Loudoun Now.

2023 Award Gala– A Magical Evening!

Special Message from Ambassador André Haspels

Exclusive: Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the USA Discusses Marshall Plan

Ambassador André Haspels, who represents the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the United States, recently sat down with the Marshall Center to reflect on the profound impact the Marshall Plan has had on his country, including his own family. He credits Marshall and America with supporting the economic reconstruction of his nation and catalyzing the unification of European democracies.

The Kingdom of the Netherlands is hosting its second annual Freedom Concert at the Netherlands Carillon in Arlington, VA on May 10 from 4-6 p.m.

Carillonneurs will play the unique 127-foot-tall, 53-bell musical monument, and the Washington School of Ballet will perform. A bell honoring General Marshall was added last year. Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet will deliver a keynote speech. RSVP Today!

May 29 Leesburg Memorial Day Observance

Guest Speaker: Dodona Docent U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Dr. Robert C. Holcomb

Mark your calendars for Leesburg’s Memorial Day Observance on Monday, May 29, at 10:00 a.m. at the Loudoun County Courthouse (18 E. Market Street, Leesburg, VA 20176). Our own Dr. Robert C. Holcomb, U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.), will be the guest speaker. This annual observance will commemorate those who lost their lives serving the United States.

The ceremony, which will take place on the lawn in front of the Loudoun County Courthouse, is hosted by Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk.

May 17 Off Duty Event with Roger Hockenberry

The Blurring of Digital and Analog Lives

Join us Wednesday, May 17 from 5:30-7 p.m. ET for an in-person speaker event at Dodona Manor featuring Roger Hockenberry.

The divide between digital lives and analog lives continues to blur. People spend more and more time curating a better ‘digital’ life and focus on finding affinity in like-minded groups across the digital landscape. This talk will focus on the concept of the rise of a purely digital nation state, one that is made up of a shared ethos, land, currency and religion.

Roger Hockenberry is CEO and co-founder of Cognitio Corp. He is a proven technologist and business executive with over 25 years of experience working with all aspects of information technology. He is the former CTO for the Directorate of Operations of the Central Intelligence Agency.

May 3: Book Club

“The Chinese Invasion Threat” by Ian Easton.

Join us Wednesday May 3 from Noon-1 p.m. ET for a Zoom discussion of “The Chinese Invasion Threat” by Ian Easton.

Are war clouds gathering in Asia? Will China make good on threats to invade Taiwan? What would this conflict mean for America and the world?

Exposing internal Chinese military documents and restricted-access studies, “The Chinese Invasion Threat” explores the secret world of war planning and strategy, espionage and national security. From a historic spy case that saved Taiwan from communist takeover to modern day covert action programs, and from emergency alert procedures to underground coastal defense networks, this is the untold story of the most dangerous flashpoint of our times.

In Bloom: Re-imagining the Edwards Ferry Road Embankment

Last summer, we successfully cleared the steep, 300-yard embankment on Edwards Ferry Road next to the Dodona Manor driveway of invasive plants, including English Ivy and Rose of Sharon. Nearly a year later, we are happy to share this progress report.

Landscape architect Leslie Stutzman-Solitario of River’s Edge Landscapes designed a natural corridor for wildlife with a wide selection of Virginia native plants. The plantings include oak hydrangea, beauty berry, sumac, beebalm, aster, sweetspire and milkweed. The wood chips donated by Arbor Artist and Treesmith USA are holding back the weeds and providing a warm layer of insulation over the cold months.

We are very grateful to Leslie, our garden volunteers, River’s Edge landscaping, Julie at Watermark Woods and Kevin at Treesmith USA for donating their valuable time, resources and plants to this project.

To find out more about invasive plants and why native plantings are important, check out this article from the Virginia Cooperative Extension.