An Uncommon Architect | Charles M. Goodman

About Us

The County of Fairfax is pleased to present this website as a tribute to famed architect Charles M. Goodman and his iconic residences at The Commons of McLean. While The Commons in particular is highlighted, certain other of his architectural contributions within and outside of Fairfax County, VA, are included as well. Goodman is especially noteworthy as the preeminent mid-century modernist in the Washington, D.C. area, which includes Northern Virginia and parts of Maryland.

LCOR, a primary partner in Fairfax County's exciting redevelopment plan, worked ​with the County to create this website. It was thought that since, under the plan, The Commons of McLean of today will make way for a reimagined Commons, homage must be paid to Goodman—the man and his original vision. To that end, both will live on and resonate throughout the new Commons in its many Goodman-inspired architectural elements which will continue to remind us of his uncommon, creative genius.

We would like to give special thanks to the ​skilled professionals at  HISTORYmatters  in Washington, D.C.—Edna Johnston, Principal and Senior Historian, Kathryn Gettings Smith, Principal Investigator, and Julia Claypoolwho provided a comprehensive overview of The Commons of McLean and the noteworthy architectural elements Goodman employed. Their expertise has greatly enriched the telling of The Commons of McLean story. In addition, ​they, along with Jessica Neubelt, History Matters’ Senior Research Assistant, have also been most generous in gathering photos and offering guidance along the way. Special thanks also to Elizabeth Terry Rose, Architectural Drawings Archivist in the Division of Prints and Photographs of the Library of Congress.

Robert Lautman Collection, courtesy National Building Museum

Charles M. Goodman in his office in Washington D.C.

Did you know?

Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy

The Commons of McLean and Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy had something in "common." They both resided in McLean, Virginia (just not at the same time)! The former First Lady spent the latter part of her youth in the idyllic setting of Merrywood Estate in McLean, Virginia, overlooking the Potomac. According to writer Gore Vidal, a relation by marriage, she "tried to recreate Merrywood's heavenly ambiance" during her time in the White House.

The Hope Diamond

Evalyn Walsh McLean, daughter-in-law of John Roll McLean (namesake of McLean, VA), was the proud owner of the Hope Diamond. A wealthy gold heiress, she bought the infamous diamond from Pierre Cartier for $154,000 in 1912. The Hope Diamond is said to be cursed, and oddly she and her family did experience many misfortunes. The deep blue, 45.52-carat gem was also owned by actress Elizabeth Taylor prior to its current display at the Smithsonian.

History's Heroine

Dolley Madison was First Lady when the British overran the White House and set it ablaze in the War of 1812. As their army neared, the fearless wife of President James Madison, in his absence, refused to leave until she rescued George Washington's portrait from certain destruction. At the last moment, two gentlemen arrived to help, and she entrusted it to them with detailed instructions before embarking on a route that took her straight through Tysons Corner.

The Signal Tower

During the Civil War, the Union Army built a wooden signal tower at Peach Grove Stockade (now Tysons) in Fairfax County. They would wave a series of signal flags from that high vantage point so westward-moving Union troops confronting the Confederate Army could communicate with Union soldiers like themselves stationed in the east at forts defending the federal government in Washington, D.C. The photo is a typical signal tower in Civil War Virginia.

The Radio Tower

In 1952, in the early days of the Cold War, the U.S. Army erected a classified radio tower on the same site in Tysons Corner where the Civil War signal tower once stood. This Emergency Military Communications System would be the main relay station between the President, the Atomic Energy Commission and various capital region military installations and defense communications facilities in the event of war. The tower is still maintained today by the Fort Belvoir Army installation in Fairfax County. Shown: Fort Belvoir Headquarters (photos of tower are prohibited).

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