If you’re trying to find an activity that the entire family will enjoy, you should consider a visit to one of the Alexandria, Virginia, area’s excellent museums. Whether you’re interested in science, art, or history, you’re sure to find a trip to the museum to be an enriching experience. Here are three museums in Alexandria worth checking out.
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Lee-Fendall House
In 1784, Philip R. Fendall bought a plot of land from his relative, Henry “Light-Horse Harry” Lee, a leader in the Revolutionary War, ninth governor of Virginia, and father of Robert E. Lee. Fendall oversaw the construction of a mansion that would be home to members of the Lee family until 1903. That year, the house was purchased by Robert Downham, a prominent saloon owner. The Downham family lived in the mansion until Prohibition shut down their business interests. The mansion’s final resident was John L. Lewis, president of the United Mine Workers of America.
When Lewis passed away in 1969, the Virginia Trust for Historic Preservation purchased the house and surrounding gardens and turned it into a museum. Today visitors can tour the Lee-Fendall House and experience what life was like in Northern Virginia from 1784 to 1969. As you appreciate the mansion’s stunning architecture and decor, you’ll also learn about the complicated and often controversial people who called it home. The museum also hosts workshops and educational lectures.
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Torpedo Factory Art Center
Part museum, part studio, the Torpedo Factory Art Center is a fantastic destination for anyone interested in Alexandria’s local arts scene. The center serves as a workspace for 82 working artists specializing in painting, ceramics, photography, and other forms of fine art. Many artists open up their studios to the public, allowing visitors to observe the creative process and ask questions. Inside the center’s many galleries, you can find pieces for sale.
The Torpedo Factory Art Center is also home to the Alexandria Archaeology Museum. Here, you can view many of the artifacts discovered in archaeological digs around the city. For those wishing to create their own works of art, the center offers classes both in-studio and online.
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Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum provides visitors an interesting glimpse of Northern Virginian history through the lens of medicine. Before it became a museum, the building served as a working apothecary from 1792 to 1933. After the passing of the apothecary’s final owner, the building and its contents were purchased by the Landmarks Society of Alexandria and the American Pharmaceutical Association.
The museum’s extensive collection includes medical equipment and herbal remedies, as well as several hand-blown glass vials and bottles. If you take a glimpse at the prescription books and invoices on display, you’ll recognize the names of customers like Martha Washington and Robert E. Lee. At the museum shop, you can find books about medical history, herbal teas, and unique gifts.
As you can see, there are some fascinating museums in the Alexandria area. No matter which one you visit, you’re sure to enjoy learning about the culture and history of Northern Virginia.
Image via Pixabay.com
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