The Founding of Reston

 

I went to the monthly meeting of the Women's Club at Lake Anne today, where the speaker was Reston resident Kristina Alcorn, author of the above book about Reston's Founder.

Robert Simon came from New York where his family owned and ran Carnegie Hall - Robert himself took over the running of this famous venue at the age of 23 when his father died suddenly.  In 1960 it was sold to the city of New York and Robert Simon - who was interested in planning a new community - was offered 6,750 acres of farmland and woodland in Northern Virginia.  He purchased the land with financial backing and built Reston - named after him, starting with Lake Anne.

It was an interesting talk and looks to be a good book.  Many of those at the meeting remembered Bob Simon - he died in September 2015 at the age of 101 - and had their own stories to tell about his life and achievements.

A quick PS - this bronze statue of Bob Simon at Lake Anne is often decorated with flowers.  At the moment it is decorated with Mardi Gras beads (photo borrowed from a post by Small Change Consignment at Lake Anne - a wonderful, friendly shop selling children's clothes, toys and equipment).