Rust Nature Sanctuary
Leesburg, Virginia Programs | Directions | Trail Map | History | Site Rentals
Enjoy nature at the Rust Nature Sanctuary throughout the year. Each season has something to fascinate nature lovers, from spring frog choruses to turkey tracks in the snow. And the more often you visit, the more you'll find.
Our 68 acres encompasses meadows, forests, and ponds where you'll find a variety of wildlife and plants. During a visit, you might encounter nesting songbirds from the tropics in the oak-hickory forest, a fox hunting in our meadow, or colorful dragonflies darting above the pond. Trail Map
Come and enjoy the Rust Nature Sanctuary anytime from dawn to dusk, seven days a week, every day of the year. No admission fee required. Bring your binoculars, camera, and a picnic lunch. Take photographs, and leave with pleasant memories and plans to return again and again.
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RUST Manor House will again be hosting weddings, receptions, parties, and meetings. |
Audubon Naturalist Society's Rust Nature Sanctuary is the recipient of a collection of artwork from the family of Roger Tory Peterson. We are honored to be able to showcase the art to the community, and encourage you to pay a visit to our Rust Sanctuary to view this wonderful collection.
(Artwork of golden eagles by R.T. Peterson)
For more information: 703-669-0000 or cpotts@audubonnaturalist.org.
Environmental Residencies
Perfect for PTO sponsors!
Bring naturalists to your school for an extended residency! GreenKids, our partnership with Loudoun County Public Schools, has developed high quality, project-based environmental residencies for your school in one of the following areas: Salad Science, Stream Science, and Becoming a Green School. Contact GreenKids Director, Diane Lill, at greenkids@audubonnaturalist.org for more information. Minimum fee: $1200.
Family Programs
Children's Nature Book Club
Fridays, 10-11:30 am
Ages 3-6 with adult
Spring Session: April 5-May 10
Cost: $3/child
Join our book club with your child. Listen to a nature-themed book appropriate to the season, and then enjoy activities, games and nature walks related to that theme. We will go outside, so please dress for the weather. Reservations required: email pdaley@loudounwildlife.org or cpotts@audubonnaturalist.org or call 703-669-0000. Cosponsored with Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy.
Woodland Egg Hunt Family Program
Saturday, March 23 (10-11:30 am)
$3 per child
Trek the trails at the Rust Nature Sanctuary to hunt for chocolate eggs hidden by the naturalists! Before we go hunting, we will have fun creating our own eco-friendly egg collecting boxes. For more information or to register: 703-669-0000 or cpotts@audubonnaturalist.org.
Mother’s Day Eco-Art Creations Family Program
Saturday, April 27 (10-11:30 am)
$7 per child supply fee
Calling all Dads! Don’t worry — your kids will create the best Mother’s Day gift this year. Bring your family and join us on a Saturday morning to create a homemade gift from the heart. For more information or to register: 703-669-0000 or cpotts@audubonnaturalist.org.
Under the Stars: A Family Night Hike
Friday, May 17 (6:30-7:30 pm)
Free Event!
Enjoy sweet refreshments while listening to a story about what’s lurking in the woods at night. We will follow story time with a night hike in the woods. For more information or to register: 703-669-0000 or cpotts@audubonnaturalist.org.
Homeschool Programs
Homeschool Program: Aquatic Habitats
Rising 5th-7th graders
Mondays, May 20-June 17 (10-11:30 am)
No class on May 27
Members $64; nonmembers $78
Join us in this series to learn all about aquatic habitats at Rust, because not all aquatic habitats are the same! The animals that live in these habitats develop adaptation in order to survive. We will also discover different parts of a pond food web or chain. For more information or to register: 703-669-0000 or cpotts@audubonnaturalist.org.
Growth & Change (Pre-K/K)
Ages 3-6
Tuesdays, April 9-May 7 (9-10:30 am)
Members $60; nonmembers $75
Journey with us into the meadow, forest, and pond at Rust as we discover the world of insects! We’ll get an up close and personal look at these fascinating creatures as we explore their unique characteristics and behaviors. Butterflies, grasshoppers, and spiders are some of the critters that we will investigate as we hike the grounds, play games, and make crafts to take home. For more information or to register: 703-669-0000 or cpotts@audubonnaturalist.org.
802 Children's Center Road
Leesburg, VA 20175
703-669-0000
From the DC Beltway, exit onto the Dulles Toll Road (Route 267). Follow the Toll Road local lanes until they become the Dulles Greenway (still Route 267). At the end of the Greenway (approximately 13 miles) take the left exit to Leesburg. This is the Leesburg Bypass. Go west on Bypass to the second exit (Route 7 - Business Leesburg). Caution: Do not take the first Leesburg exit, Route 15. Turn right at the top of the exit ramp onto Rt. 7. Turn right at the first traffic light, Catoctin Circle. Continue 1/8 mile on Catoctin Circle to Children's Center Road (on your right). Turn right and follow Children's Center Road until you reach the cul de sac at the end. The middle drive-at sign-will take you through the Sanctuary to the Manor House.
From Ashburn or Sterling and points east of Leesburg: Follow Route 7 west to Leesburg, and turn left onto Catoctin Circle at the light. Continue on Catoctin past the Post Office (on left) to the light at Rt. 15 (King Street). Continue on Catoctin through the light and across Dry Mill Road to Children's Center Road (on your left). Turn left and follow Children's Center Road until you reach the cul de sac at the end. The middle drive-at sign-will take you through the Sanctuary to the Manor House.
From points west of Leesburg, VA: Follow Route 7 east and take the first Leesburg exit (Leesburg Business). Turn right at first stoplight, Catoctin Circle, and continue 1/8 mile to Children's Center Road (on your right). Turn right and follow Children's Center Road until you reach the cul de sac at the end. The middle drive-at sign-will take you through the Sanctuary to the Manor House.
A History of Rust Nature Sanctuary Property
The Rust Manor House is a site rich in Virginia history and public service. It was built in 1910 by Henry Harrison, a descendant of the first European recorded as visiting Loudoun County, for his wife, Anne Lee who was a cousin of Robert E. Lee. Anne lived here until her death in 1928. Having no heirs, she left the property to the St. Emma Agricultural and Industrial Institute, a school for young black men established by an order of nuns near Richmond.
William Fitzhugh Rust, another scion of a distinguished Virginia and Loudoun County family, purchased the property from St. Emma in 1929 and substantially remolded the house, copying many architectural elements from old Rust plantation homes. William died in 1940, but his widow, Mary, lived in the manor house and operated the property as a dairy farm through World War II.
After the war she and her son sold the property to Ida K. Polen, a very successful business woman from Arlington. After Ida died, the property was put up for auction and William Fitzhugh Rust, Jr., the son of William and Mary, bought it. He also donated the land for Ida Lee Park and The Rust Library to the Town of Leesburg..
In 2000, following the wishes of their mother, Margaret Dole Rust, the children of William and Margaret donated their family home to the Audubon Naturalist Society to create the Rust Nature Sanctuary. -- Prepared by the Audubon Naturalist Society