Alexandria, Virginia, is home to more than 140 historic sites and locations. With ties to our founding fathers and the famous Potomac River, it’s where the birth of our nation stems from. With its brick sidewalks and 18th-century buildings, add a taste of history to your activity menu by visiting these four historical sites in Alexandria.
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Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum
The Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum was founded in 1939 through a partnership between a group of local, educated philanthropists and the Alexandria Library. Their mission was to improve public education and offer cultural opportunities to the community. The site once served as a hospital during the Civil War, the nation’s first Bicentennial Visitor’s Center, and the local chapter of the Chamber of Commerce. The building was made using the bricks from St. Mary’s chapel.
Today, The Lyceum offers exhibitions, educational programs, and a retail shop. Located at 201 S. Washington St., The Lyceum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1-5 p.m.
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Carlyle House Historic Park
Discover John Carlyle’s historic estate in Old Town, Alexandria. The city’s founder and a wealthy merchant, Carlyle completed his elegant stone mansion in 1753. Now a museum, Carlyle House represents one of the country’s best examples of Georgian architecture. Visit Carlyle House Historic Park and see the mansion and gardens at 121 N. Fairfax St. The park is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
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Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum features a pair of historic buildings at 134 and 138 N. Royal St. in Old Town. Built between 1785 and 1792, this hotel and tavern played a central part in the life of the city’s earliest settlers. The tavern was named after John Gadsby, an Englishman who ran the businesses from 1796 to 1808. It was host to a variety of prominent patrons, including George Washington, John Adams, and James Monroe.
In 1963, The Gadsby’s Tavern Museum was awarded a National Historic Landmark designation, and today it’s a wonderful destination to tour. It’s open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1-4 p.m.
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Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site
Fort Ward was the fifth-largest fort built to defend our nation’s capital during the Civil War. An exceptionally well-preserved Union Army installation made with earthen walls, it’s now located at 4301 W Braddock Road. It’s a small museum nestled within a peaceful park.
Admittance is free. Many items are on display, including a scale model of the original fort. The Fort Ward Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
See where our founding fathers dined or stroll through a Civil War-era garden surrounding a restored Georgian mansion. Whatever you decide to do first, why not add a taste of history to your activity menu next time you visit Alexandria, Virginia?
Image via Flickr by Nick Amoscato. Used with permission via CC BY 2.0 (Some rights reserved) / cropped from original
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