Fairfax County Women's Suffrage

Fairfax County, Virginia, has a strong connection to the women’s suffrage movement, and several county attractions honor this historic milestone.

For up-to-date information, visit www.FXVA.com/herstory.

Lucy Burns Museum

This new museum located on the campus of the Workhouse Arts Center, which once served as the historic Lorton Workhouse prison, tells the story of the 72 members of the National Women’s Party who were once imprisoned at the site after picketing the White House for the right to vote in 1917. The suffragists’ experience at this site marked an important turning point in the women’s suffrage movement and one that ultimately helped secure voting rights for all women in the U.S.

The museum is open for tours on Saturdays from Noon-5p.m. In addition, the museum will also offer a Lucy Burns Treasure Hunt for kids, available after Aug. 18. Watch videos and learn more about the museum at www.workhousearts.org/lucyburnsmuseum. 

The Turning Point Suffragist Memorial

The Turning Point Suffragist Memorial honors the millions of women who fought for over seven decades to win the right to vote. The memorial is located on the grounds of Occoquan Regional Park and tells the story of the women’s suffrage movement in America. Don’t miss your chance to pose in front of the actual White House gates from 1917. Learn more at FxVA.com.

To learn more about Fairfax County’s connection to the women’s suffrage movement, and to hear other stories of forward-thinking women in the county’s past and interesting perspectives from local young women who were inspired by their stories, visit www.FXVA.com/herstory.

For more on the Women’s Vote Centennial (even after the fact!), visit www.womensvote100.org.

Read more Boomer women’s suffrage content at, Virginia Suffragists Battled for the Ballot Box and Shortcomings and Progress in the Vote.

Originally published in August 2020; revised in August 2022 to remove temporary exhibits that had passed.