Marjorie Leighey, a 57‑year‑old widow, confronted the Virginia Department of Highways in 1964 after learning that Interstate 66 would bisect her 1,200‑sq‑ft Frank Lloyd Wright home in Falls Church. She hired a lawyer, rallied local press, and enlisted preservationists from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Park Service to delay the project, arguing the house’s architectural significance matched that of 150‑year‑old landmarks.
The house, designed by Wright in 1939 for Loren and Charlotte Pope, had been a modest Usonian gem with a seamless blend of wood and concrete. After the popes sold it in 1946, the Leigheys became owners; Robert fell in love with the interior and exterior, while Marjorie, an avid gardener, appreciated how the design framed the surrounding landscape.
When the highway plans were announced in 1961, the government intended to seize the property and demolish the residence. Marjorie’s determination led to the discovery that the house could be dismantled, moved, and rebuilt on the National Trust’s Woodlawn property 13 miles away. Brick by brick, the structure was carefully disassembled, transported, and reconstructed under the guidance of the National Trust, with Marjorie remaining in the home until her death.
The successful relocation became a catalyst for national preservation policy. Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall, inspired by Leighey’s campaign, helped draft the National Historic Preservation Act, which President Johnson signed in 1966. The act established federal protections for historic buildings and created a framework that still guides preservation efforts today.
After the move, Leighey left the United States for Kyoto, Japan, where she served as an Episcopal missionary until her death in 1967. Today, the Pope‑Leighey House at Woodlawn draws thousands of visitors each year, standing as a living testament to grassroots advocacy and the enduring value of architectural heritage.