The DuVal family arrived in Fairfax County during a period when the population growth was expanding rapidly, both from in-migration and natural increase. With them the couple brought their three children, Susan Lynde (Lyn), Clive, III, and David. Daniel, their fourth, was born in 1953. Their experience was a reflection of the times—in the 1950 U. S. Census, Fairfax County's population was 98,557; in 1960, it had increased to 248,897. [121]
The DuVal family, about 1957. Left to right Daniel, Susan Lynde, Clive II, Susan, David and
Clive III. The English setters, Christmas, Dusty and Belle, are also "members of the family."
Also reflecting the Washington metropolitan area's typical experience in the 1950s, DuVal came from elsewhere to accept employment with the federal government, in his case, as Assistant General Counsel (International Affairs) for the Department of Defense. He was, typically, a World War II veteran, a former officer in the United States Navy. From 1955 to 1959, he was general counsel for the United States Information Agency. Since then, he has been in the private practice of law. As did the majority of married women with children in the decades 1950-1970, in Fairfax County, Mrs. DuVal stayed at home with the children rather than taking a regular outside job, except for her many volunteer projects in which she was regularly involved in the McLean community. [122]
Salona became a place of hospitality, where social, political, arts and educational events were held. The Woman's Club of McLean, the McLean House Tour, the McLean Ballet Company, Children's Hospital, the Fairfax YWCA, the McLean Boys Club, the Northern Virginia Democratic Women's Club, Yale University students and the Historical Society of Fairfax County, were among the many beneficiaries of the DuVals' generosity in making Salona available for special events. [123]
In 1965, DuVal ran for and was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, in which he served for three consecutive terms. [124] He ran unsuccessfully for the United States Senate seat against Harry F. Byrd, Jr., in the democratic primary in 1970, but was subsequently elected to the Virginia State Senate in 1971 and 1975. [125]
Because of his deep interest in conservation and environmental protection, DuVal received both the Virginia state award and the National Wildlife Federation award in 1970 for being the outstanding conservation legislator in the United States. [126] Consistent with this demonstrated interest, the DuVals decided to take a major step in conservation themselves. They entered into a perpetual easement agreement in 1971 with the Board of Supervisors, Fairfax County, Virginia, for the historic preservation of Salona, its surrounding outbuildings and eight acres of land. In the same legal instrument, a temporary easement for the remaining 44.3 acres was arranged for a period of at least ten years. [127] A later amendment, in 1974, provided for termination of the temporary easement only after January 1, 1990. [128]
In 1975, a patriotic organization, the Society of the United States Daughters of 1812, obtained the DuVals' permission to place an historic plaque at Salona to commemorate James Madison's visit there in 1814. The bronze plaque was mounted in a foundation stone from what are thought to have been old slave quarters. They once stood in the side yard below the house. The plaque reads as follows:
1784-1815
SALONA
"A place of great hospitality"
Shelter for President Madison
August, 1914
When British burned Washington
Plaque placed by Virginia State Society
National Society of United States
Daughters of 1812
1975