The History of Gunston Elementary

Gunston Elementary opened its doors on Valentines Day, February 14, 1955. It was built to handle the overcrowding at Lorton Elementary which is located on Lorton Rd. near the on-ramp to I-95 and is currently used by the county for offices for the Department of Transportation.  Miss Nevitt, the principal of Lorton School, served as the transition principal. Mrs. Lorraine Buglia, a teacher at Lorton School, became the first long term principal at Gunston serving the school and the community for twenty two years. The gymnasium at Gunston is named in her honor. One of our bus drivers, Earl Curtis, drove Gunston students that first year, and is still driving children to and from Gunston School today.

When Gunston opened its doors the school was a small L shaped building. The office was where the current teacher workroom is located.  In 1959 four classrooms were added to accommodate additional students. In 1972 the pod was built adding an additional seven classrooms.  Later additions followed in 1972 and 1984. In 1997 the most recent renovation, brought all of our former principals together for the rededication ceremony. They are pictured below from left to right:  Jane Stephenson 1994-2004, Regis Lacey 1977-1983, Lorraine Buglia 1956-1977, Dr. Bernard Gross 1983-1986 and Dr. Elizabeth Henderson 1986-1994.     

Our current principal, Tonya Cox, welcomed the community to our fiftieth anniversary celebrated on February 11, 2005.  The theme for the reunion was “Love is the Heart of Gunston.” The warmth and spirit felt on that occasion and everyday is what sustains this learning community. Gunston has many staff members serving more than twenty years. Numerous second generation students are walking the same halls as their parents. Over the years Gunston has grown from a small rural community school to a diverse suburban school encompassing families from countries around the world. The dedication of our students, staff, parents and community are what keeps “love at the heart of Gunston.”   
           

An interesting side note, Lorton was first known as Lorton Valley. The first memories of Lorton Valley were written by Annie Plaskett  in a book called “Memories of a Plain Family”. At the time of the Gunston rededication many rooms were named for local  historical figures. The library was named after Annie Plaskett, the author of this memoir. Her niece lived near Occoquan at the time, and she and other Plaskett family members attended the dedication of the new building.

Thanks to Anne Gorham and Jane Goeller for their research

Gunston Elementary School
10100 Gunston Road
Lorton, VA 22079