Fun things to do and see in Northern Virginia near Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County and Falls Church. Includes parks, shopping, sightseeing, recreation and events.
Jefferson Manor Park is located just off Telegraph Road in the Jefferson Manor community. The park is administrated by Fairfax County and has a large field and a few groves of trees. The amenities of the park include:
a Little League field;
a basketball court;
a playground;
restrooms; and,
a shelter.
A play ground at Jefferson Manor Park
Welcome to Jefferson Manor Park
A pavilion at Jefferson Manor Park
The shelter at Jefferson Manor seats 36 and with a maximum capacity of 50. It has 6 tables and the shelter has 4 grills.
The Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library offers the largest selection of adult and children's materials in the City of Alexandria's library system. The library was named after former mayor Charles Beatley who was mayor from 1967 to 1976 and from 1979 to 1985. Located on Duke Street west of Old Town, the Beatley Library is convenient for folks in the West End and Old Town and neighborhoods like Cameron Station. In addition to a large collection of books and periodicals, the library offers the following additional features and services:
Internet stations (24 of them!) and six word processing stations for free public use
Free wireless Internet access
Children's Programs and Outreach services including story-time readings for ages 1 to 6 and reading programs for older kids.
Meeting Rooms available to individuals and organizations for meetings of an educational, cultural or civic nature. The community meeting room seats up to 150 and the conference room seats 10. The meeting and conference rooms require advance reservation.
Reading Garden
Outside Beatley library during the evening
Beatley Library is in West End Alexandria
Outside Beatley Library
Beatley Library is near Landmark Mall
Beatley Library is close to Cameron Station
Charles E. Beatley, Jr.
Central Library
5005 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22304-2903
Phone: 703-519-5900
Fax: 703-519-5915
Monday -Thursday: 9am-9pm
Friday: 9am-6pm
Saturday: 9am-5pm
Sundays: 1pm-5pm
Commander James S. Ward, well known as a scholar and an authority on tactics and gunnery, was the first Union naval officer mortally wounded after the outbreak of the Civil War. Ward was well known because, among other accomplishments, he was instrumental in establishing the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.
Fort Ward is in the West End of Alexandria
At the outbreak of the Civil War, Union commanders understood that a Confederate blockade of the Potomac was a serious threat to the main supply line for Washington, D.C. As a result, a flotilla of seven Navy vessels under the command of James Ward were dispatched to protect the waterway for shipping. In the earliest days of the war, that flotilla was involved in an action to support the strategic redeployment of a small Federal force at Mathias Point. During this action a Confederate sniper shot Ward, and he died shortly thereafter.
One of these forts was named after Commander Ward, and today Fort Ward is the best preserved of this fort system. During the war, Fort Ward was the fifth largest fort defending the Capitol and thus deterred Confederate forces who never attacked its earthen walls. The Union Army abandoned the Fort in December 1865, and shortly thereafter any salvageable materials were sold at auction.
The land is now owned by the City of Alexandria. During the time of the war, the fort was a dusty (at times muddy) place, stripped of vegetation and armed with cannons. Today, it is a manicured oasis of greenery in the city of Alexandria.
On the grounds of old Fort Ward, Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site serves as a park, educational center and cultural remembrance for those who served here. The museum has exhibits on general Civil War topics as well as interpretive programs specific to Fort Ward and Alexandria during the Union occupation. Fort Ward can be entered at 4301 West Braddock in Alexandria, Virginia.
The Fort is located relatively close to Inova Alexandria Hospital and Episcopal High School. The surrounding area is a mixture of very high end housing, middle class housing and is located not far from Skyline and the condos near I-395. To search the surrounding area check out West End Alexandria.
The Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library offers the largest selection of adult and children's materials in the City of Alexandria's library system. The library was named after former mayor Charles Beatley who was mayor from 1967 to 1976 and from 1979 to 1985. Located on Duke Street west of Old Town, the Beatley Library is convenient for folks in the West End and Old Town and neighborhoods like Cameron Station. In addition to a large collection of books and periodicals, the library offers the following additional features and services:
