Woodlawn: People and Perspectives
April 25, 2024 – through 2024
Included with regular tour admission
Through text, images, and objects displayed throughout the house, visitors discover the contributions of the many people who shaped Woodlawn’s past and present. Histories include the Lewis family and the people they enslaved and highlight free Black families such as the Hollands who purchased land and built communities alongside Quaker families like the Troths. The preservation of Woodlawn in the 20th century will also be explored.
Offerings for Tauxenent: Acknowledging Indigenous Place
Open April 25, 2024 – August 30, 2024
Free with suggested donation
This exhibit, created by public history students at George Mason University, brings attention to the Doeg people. The Doeg, for whom Dogue Creek and Dogue Run Farm are named, lived on the land that is now Woodlawn at the time that Europeans arrived in Virginia. Students worked with contemporary local tribal, intertribal, and immigrant Indigenous communities, who created objects, remembrances, and offerings for the Doeg people.
2024 Annual Needlework Registration Begins
Get ready to register for Woodlawn’s 2024 Annual Needlework Show! Registration opens on November 13, 2023. The theme this year is “Needlework in Everyday Life.” Use the links below to learn more about the Show and details on how to register.
SPECIAL EXHIBITION: Story Quilts Inspired by Family and Faith
Special Exhibition: Free of Charge (donations encouraged)
Sheryl Sims is an inspirational artist and powerful storyteller who weaves her stories of family and faith into exquisitely designed quilts you will see on display from October 5 through December 31, 2023, at Woodlawn and Pope-Leighey House.
With each quilt, Sheryl explores her heritage, including her enslaved and freed ancestors, and her connection to Woodlawn and Quaker Meeting. The quilts reveal a deeply personal journey of perseverance, resilience and, above all, hope.
All ticketed guests will have the opportunity to experience this exhibit. Non-ticketed guests are also welcome to view this exhibit free of charge (donations encouraged) during our business hours of 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, Thursday - Monday.
Meet the Artist
SHERYL ELISE SIMS
Born in Germany, I grew up as the daughter of an Army officer, travelling throughout the United States, and living in Asia, during the Vietnam War with my family. I attended high school in Northern Virginia as well as Texas. After graduation, I obtained a BFA degree in Environmental Design, from the University of Houston. I also completed a course called, Education for Ministry, which is a 4-year theology program from Sewanee University.
Since that time, I have spent decades working as a legal secretary in various DC law firms. Along with quilting, my areas of personal interest are my 27-year old daughter, genealogy, writing, mineralogy, religious studies, photography and painting.
I am a member of Quilters Unlimited, the Arlington Quilt Guild, and formerly the Burke Guild and SAQA. While I consider myself to be a novice quilter, I am inspired by my personal genealogy research and spiritual influences. My style is machine quilting with raw edge appliqué. I enjoy the freedom of art quilts and this style of quilting due to the no-rules approach. However, I have made some traditional quilts as well. I am the proud recipient of NSDAR’s Nelly Custis Chapter Women of the Arts Award.
In addition to two zoom presentations for Woodlawn Pope-Leighey, I’ve conducted quilt presentations for: Christ Church Washington Parish Quilters, DC Law Firm Diversity Program Presentation, Christ Church Episcopal Church, Alexandria Quaker Meeting, DC Modern Guild, Historic Huntley, Highlighted on MSNBC, Highlighted on WUSA9, Arlington Quilt Guild, and NSDAR Nelly Custis Chapter.