Joan Lewis Jewett

September 4, 1930—August 17, 2024

We mourn the loss of Joan Jewett, who formed the Friends of Pleasant Grove with her husband, Garry Jewett, and a group of McLean neighbors to save our historic site from demolition in the 1980s. Read about her long and full life: Joan Jewett Obituary (2024) - Washington, DC - The Washington Post (legacy.com)

Joan Jewett Memorial Giving

If you wish to make a memorial gift in her honor, we will gratefully put it to good use to preserve the site and history of Historic Pleasant Grove. The Jewett family will be notified of your thoughtful generosity.

Joan Jewett

Joan Jewett attending a cultural event at Pleasant Grove.

Historic Pen Grove Church

Historic Pleasant Grove Church

Historic Site & Museum

Historic Pleasant Grove is a community landmark in McLean, Virginia, built by and for African and Native Americans in the late 19th century. No longer an active church, the simple-yet-striking Carpenter Gothic structure is an historic site managed by the Friends of Pleasant Grove, who foster diversity through free cultural events throughout the year, operate the on-site museum, and rent the space.

Our 10-minute guided video tour "Historic Pleasant Grove: Its Origins, Architecture and Legacy" connects Pleasant Grove and its present-day descendant families to the church founders.

The Friends of Pleasant Grove sponsor several free events for the public throughout the year, including:

The Frances K. Moore Memorial Museum, dedicated to the church founders, is housed on site. Tours are available upon request and during public events.

Learn more about renting our space.

Sign up to the left for the latest information on upcoming events and opportunities to participate.

Land Acknowledgment: Historic Pleasant Grove stands on the traditional lands of the Tauxenent/Dogue[Doeg] people, who were part of the original Powhatan Paramountcy, and whose ancestors resided here and throughout Fairfax County since time immemorial. Many Indigenous peoples continue to thrive here today, including descendants of Pleasant Grove founders.