Now that you found your “little gem” by coming to the West End of Alexandria -- what do you do? Maybe you are moving from another state or from across town. Maybe you are just moving from one side of Alexandria to another but have never taken the time, to see all that Alexandria has to offer.
As residents of a city we become caught up in the whirlwind that life tends to be. There is work, kids, and family. We have a tendency, to forget that we live in an area steeped in history. That is until a friend or family member, visits from out of state and all of the sudden we have to find things to do. Recently, I was faced with this situation and found that after living in Northern Virginia for over 20 years – I have really not seen much of what the area has to offer.
My Parents usually visit about once a year. My father is the type of person who will find anything and everything of interest and go see it. This has led to many great adventures (over the years) as those adventures have taken me to places, I would never have ventured to on my own. Granted, his ventures, do not usually take into account weather but they are always fun. He does not care about distance or difficulty it is all about the experience.
This year for Christmas, I was frantically searching for something different for them to do. I ended up buying tickets to Ford Theater to see a Christmas Carol;along with the museums associated with the theater. They absolutely loved the experience. It made me think about all the times, we see the typical and iconic sites of DC; however, we do not look into the lesser known attractions.
Alexandria city is a historic and sophisticated city nestled along the western bank of the Potomac, South of DC. The area known as Old Town was part of Virginia and then became part of DC – only to become a part of Virginia again in the middle of the 1800’s. Alexandria was a very important port in the 18th and 19th century and its importance is reflected in the historic streets.
A stroll through the streets of Old Town is like a walk through our past. From the historic Princess street with the original cobblestone to the historic residences that are all of 10 feet wide. As one walks the streets you can almost see the hustle and bustle of history flowing past.
With an adventure in mind; I found three places, rich with history, that are a must see, while strolling the streets of Old Town:
Lee-Fendall House
This historic home is located at 614 Oronoco and was built in 1785. The home still occupies its original ½ acre lot and a majority of its original construction. The Lee family called the house home for over 100 years and for several years was used as a place to help Union Soldiers heal. The original ½ acre lot was sold to Philip Fendall (husband to Elizabeth Lee) for 300 pounds.
The Fendalls were friends of George and Martha Washington and often dined together at the home. The Lee-Fendall house was home to Robert E. Lees Aunt and a place he visited frequently. Robert E. Lee’s boyhood home was just across the street at 607 Oronoco Street Robert E. Lee’s aunt lived at 614 Oronoco for years and the young Lee could often be found on the property of the Lee-Fendall house
Currently the home is owned by the Virginia Trust for Historic Preservation and is run as a museum.
The house is open for public tours, special tours and rentals.
Please visit Lee-Fendall House for more information.
Gadsby’s Tavern
Gadsby’s Tavern is located at 138 North Royal Street in Old Town Alexandria. The Tavern was built around 1785 and then was added onto right before the 1800’s. The building originally consisted of tavern and a hotel. Famous historical individuals use to dine and sleep at the establishment along with residents and visitors of the city.
John Gadsby’s tavern was the center of social and political live in the 18th and 19th Century. Many dances, theatrical, musical performances and meetings occurred at this historic tavern. Some of the more famous patrons included George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe and James Madison. Today the tavern is still a working restaurant while the museum (old hotel) offers daily tours.
For more information please visit Gadsby Tavern or Gadsby Muesum
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
Located at 105-107 S. Fairfax Street and was built around 1777. In 1792 Edward Stabler leased the building and several years later purchased the building next door to incorporate both into his apothecary business. The business ran from 1792 until 1933 in the same location and became one of Alexandria’s oldest business which ran continuously. The apothecary serviced many residents of Alexandria to include Martha Washington and Robert E. Lee. During the civil war Union soldiers flooded the shop to purchase a cough drop made of alcohol and paprika. The drops sold for one penny each and the shop sold more than a thousand a day.
The business archives were purchased by a Baltimore business man in 1933 and the Landmarks Society of Alexandria purchased the buildings in 1934. The business archives and collections were donated to the Landmarks Society, the building restored to their 18th century appearance – then opened as a museum in 1939. In 2006 the Landmarks Society donated the museum and its important contents to the City of Alexandria.
Tours are available daily.
More information can be found at: Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
Take a day, tour Old Town Alexandria and see what you can find…. Why wait until the next visit from an old friend or family member to explore the historic town around us.
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