Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 12/04/1996
NRHP Listing Date 06/19/1996
NHL Listing Date 06/19/1996
DHR's Virginia Board of Historic Resources easement
NRHP Reference Number 96000972
General of the Army George Catlett Marshall, Jr. made his home at this gracious Federal-style house from 1941 until his death in 1959. He named it for the mythical Greek forest of Dodona. During these years, Marshall rose from a respected army officer to one of the 20th-century’s most influential figures. As Army chief of staff from 1939 to 1945, he directed the nation’s military effort during World War II. He later served as a special envoy to China, as Secretary of State and as Secretary of Defense. Marshall is best known for developing the 1947 European Recovery Program, known as the Marshall Plan, which launched the restoration of western Europe’s economy. General Marshall was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1953 for his post-war recovery plan. Marshall’s Leesburg retreat was built in the early 1800s and later expanded. Other than establishing an extensive garden, Marshall made few changes here. While the home retains its early 19th-century architectural details, present-day furnishings reflect the tastes of the 1940s and 50s when the Marshalls lived there. The Loudoun County property, located in the Leesburg Historic District, is currently operated by the George C. Marshall International Center and is open to the public as a museum.
Many properties listed in the registers are private dwellings and are not open to the public, however many are visible from the public right-of-way. Please be respectful of owner privacy.
Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark
Updated: July 8, 2021
