Beverley Randolph Mason and his wife, Elizabeth Harrison Nelson, started Gunston Hall School for Girls in 1892.

[4][5] The purpose of Gunston Hall School was to "train students to be intellectually mature, physically fit, socially well adjusted and to give them a basic faith in God that will steady and support them all their lives".

[1][2] Her brother, Richard Nelson Mason, also taught at the school, served as its business manager, and later became its principal until he died in 1940.

[10] In June 1942, the school's commencement speaker was Harry S. Truman, whose daughter Margaret was graduating.

[3] However, Gunston Hall School closed in 1942 because of a shortage of teachers, resulting from World War II.

[1][8] After the school closed, the recently widowed Josephine Mason Easley moved there; it remained her home until she died in 1962.

[8][1] Before she died, Easley was involved in the effort and transferred the school's charter to Pohick Church.

[12] In 1979, Gunston Hall School became a foundation and educational endowment fund, started by Helen and John Wharton Hazard to help needy students with learning disabilities.

[12][14][15] Originally, the Gunston Hall School was located in a private home at 3017 O Street in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C.[1][3] This large mansion was built in the early 19th century as the home of Commodore Stephen Cassin.

[1][8][7] The Florida Avenue campus included a new central building in Colonial revival style, providing more classrooms, a gymnasium, and dormitories for boarding students.

[7] In addition to standard classes, courses were taught in French, German, Latin, and Spanish.

[2] These students had daily French classes and were taught art, music, and rhythmic dancing.

[6] The school held an annual carnival, featuring students in theatrical performances and costumed dances.

[6] Student went on field trips, including attending the Army-Navy football game in 1910 and a tour of the Post Office's dead letter mail facility.