Remembering Vienna's 'Unofficial Historian'

As an Army veteran and former member of the Central Intelligence Agency, Mayo Stuntz had traveled the world — he spent three years across the Pacific Southwest, and later, served tours in Japan and Nicaragua.

But it was Vienna, Va. that Stuntz loved to call home — a place, by many accounts, that will forever be marked by his contributions toward preserving and celebrating its past.

Stuntz died last week of natural causes at age 97; he spent a lifetime as a resident of town.

"I think most of us have at least heard of him if not known him or a member of the family personally," one resident remarked underneath his obituary.

Stuntz was born in Vienna in 1915, attending Vienna Elementary School in the 1920s just after it burned down.

The school and its history was one of the many parts of his childhood he would recall and share often. Janet Brown, Stuntz's niece, recalled sitting many Saturday afternoons to listen to his tales.

And he always had stories to tell, recalled those who knew him — some of which came from his time in Vienna but also from a long career in intelligence. After attending Cornell University, he entered the U.S. Army during World War II and served on the staff of a U. S. Army strategic intelligence unit known as the Alamo Scouts, which served in place of the O.S.S.  in General McArthur's theater of war, family members said.

He worked an assistant manager at the Hotel Statler in Washington D. C. as assistant manager.  And then joined the CIA, where he spent 25 year, including 
tours in Japan and Nicaragua.

He always stayed active in local history, as president of the Flint Hill Cemetery Association from 1958 to 2009 and a founding member of the Fairfax Landmarks Preservation Committee (1965), which became the Fairfax County History Commission. (His service on that board and the Sully Foundation spanned 50 years).

But it wasn't until he retired that he began to go after Vienna and Fairfax County history full speed, with a seriousness that would later earn him the title of the town's unofficial historian.

He and his wife of 66 years, Connie, ran an antique shop for several years while researching Fairfax County history.

It was with his wife he co-authored several books, including This Was Vienna, Virginia (1988),  This Was Tyson's Corner, Virginia (1990),  and This Was Virginia 1900-1927 As Shown By The Glass Negatives of J. Harry Shannon, The Rambler (1998).

Mayor Jane Seeman, whom Stuntz recruited to be on the Flint Hill Cemetery Board of Directors in 1997, said the book about Vienna should be "required for all residents."

"His book was my most valuable resource whenever people requested information about town history or when researching their own family members," former town Public Information Officer Marie Kisner said.

Stuntz went on to be the first Chairman of the Freeman House ad hoc Historical Commission (a precursor to Historic Vienna, Inc.) and a member of the Northern Virginia Officials Advisory Committee which published "Historic Northern Virginia - Understanding and Protecting Our Shared Heritage."

Along the way, he became past Vice President of the Fairfax County Council of the Arts.  He also taught local history in the Adult Education Program of the Fairfax Public Schools and at George Mason University.

As he became more well known — and as others from his generation began to pass away — the demand for his stories and knowledge grew.

Seeman said “Mayo loved talking about Vienna and reminiscing about growing up here.  He never hesitated to share his fascinating stories and was always available to speak to groups about Vienna’s history."

Kisner said he never turned down an opportunity to speak to a range of audiences on a number of Vienna institutions,  from Vienna Elementary School to the history of Vienna Presbyterian Church, where he had been a member since 1926.

At the church, he was a visible elder, serving as a trustee, historian and usher.

Seeman recalled serving for many years on his ushering team at church. The team only served once a month, but Stuntz never missed church unless he was away visiting family, Seeman said.

"We laughed about him being the CEO of that team," Seeman said.

While he was serious about the history of this area and, in particular, Vienna, Seeman said, he always had a joke or two to tell. 

"He was so proud of his children and grandchildren," Seeman said.

Stuntz's death is a tremendous loss to the Northern Virginia historical community, those that knew him said. State Del. Mark Keam (D-Vienna) tweeted as he paid his respects Wednesday "there will never be another man like him."

But, as friends and family noted, Stuntz has left his mark in so many places across town it will be hard to forget his legacy.

"His books will always be available to help us understand and learn from the Town’s past," Kisner said.

A mass for Stuntz will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Vienna Presbyterian Church. Burial will take place at 4 p.m. at the Flint Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Vienna Presbyterian Church or Historic Vienna, Inc.

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