May 22, 1969: Mrs. Jouett Shouse breaks ground at Wolf Trap under the watchful eye of Mrs. Lyndon Johnson (in red).

In 1833, Thomas Fairfax and his wife divided Towlston Grange, his 5568-acre portion of land located in the south central section of the Providence Magisterial District, between their sons in portions of 1152 acres called Ash Grove and 2458 acres in the division of Towlston. The Ash Grove portion included the part of Wolf Trap Farm on the east side of Wolf Trap Run, the Towlston tract the land on the west.

Various land owners and divisions of the property occurred until 1930. At that time, Mrs. Catherine Filene Dodd (later Shouse) purchased a 53-acre plot, which made up the original tract of land that Shouse, in keeping with its history, called Wolf Trap Farm.

Indeed, from as early as 1632 records indicate that wolves had caused much damage in the region. The General Assembly, in trying to deal with the wolf menace, offered rewards of tobacco for those who constructed pits or traps to capture and deliver wolf heads to the General Assembly. A smaller reward was given to those who used a gun or some other means to kill the animals.

As more people populated the area wolves became less prevalent and less of a threat. In an official land survey dated August 17, 1739 the name "Wolftrap" appeared as a branch of Difficult Run.

Shouse purchased the aforementioned land for $5,300. She continued to purchase additional parcels of land until 1956, totaling 168 acres in all. Several years later the government secured 40 acres for the construction of the Dulles Access Road, leaving the farm at 128 acres. The government paid the family $1,700 an acre.

Shouse's original intention in purchasing the farm was to share with her children the love of nature that she had known as a child in the family's summer home in Weston, Massachusetts. The land meant a great deal to her, and she spent much of her time grooming and restoring the properties.

On what is now the west parking lot the Shouses raised their own crops. They grew corn, wheat, alfalfa, and oats to provide food for their chickens, ducks, and turkeys; angus steers; hogs; and milk cows. They also raised horses, and built a stable and hay barn to accommodate them. Riding was a favorite activity of the family and their friends.

It was a true working farm in those days. Although she knew nothing about farming when she bought the land, Shouse learned to do practically everything that was needed. It was also a place that was happily shared with friends. Its reputation as stimulating gathering place for friends and family was widely acknowledged and invitations to the Shouse farm were eagerly sought after. Countless friends enjoyed gourmet home-cooked foods at wonderful parties, dances, and carnivals. "That had a good deal to do with my decision to want Wolf Trap to remain permanently for people and not be divided into one-acre or half-acre lots," said Shouse. "So many people had grown to love it, and I wanted it to be used forever by people who enjoyed that land. It's a very cherished piece of property."