Here's a memory from a post that was written several years ago:
Would you like to get to know Old Town Alexandria VA? I'll tell you one of the best ways to see a few sites and learn more about our fair city: take a carriage ride.
Mule turning onto King Street in Old Town
Our carriage was pulled by a hard-working mule. Her owner tells us she loves to pull. As she clopped slowly down the side streets of Old Town, her owner filled in details about houses and locations that we passed. For me, most of the information was old hat, but I couldn't help but think this would be a great way for a tourist or new resident to get to know the city.
The fee for the ride was downright reasonable, and I was impressed with the mule's strength as she pulled up and down hill along Old Town's waterfront.
After she dropped us off we snapped this picture from Market Square. There in front of Burke and Herbert she seemed more in place with the surroundings than the cars who shared her road.
There is seating at the front of the shop to take a cup of coffee.Grape and Bean is just another example of an Old Town artisan boutique. Shops like Grape and Bean, or as they call themselves Grape + Bean, are community assets and part of what makes Old Town so special. Long-time Alexandria residents David Gwathmey and Sheera Rosenfeld opened Grape & Bean in 2008. Together they have managed to create a place that is comfortable, warm and welcoming, while offering excellent service and high quality products.
Grape and Bean is a retail wine shop, coffee shop and a wine tasting bar. Along with wine by the glass and coffee by the cup, Grape and Bean offers a food menu with cheese plates and other items that are tailored for sharing. As a wine and coffee shop, Grape and Bean of course retails wine by the bottle and coffee by the pound. I find that they are an excellent resource for gift baskets, and they'll really put the time in to help you make your best selection.
Grape + Bean offers a well-stocked wine inventory.Nesbitt Realty can help you buy and sell real estate in Old Town South.
King Street Gardens Park is located at the foot of the George Washington National Masonic Memorial near the King St. Metro in Old Town Alexandria VA. This small park is surrounded by hotels, office buildings, AMTRAK and a Metro stop. The signature feature of King Street Gardens is a large metal sculpture with hanging gardens. This together with the sunken gardens are intended to provide references to historic aspects of the site.
King St. Garden Park
The abstract metal sculpture sculpture hints at a ship's prow, a plow, or a colonial-style three-cornered hat. The sunken garden, and plantings therein, are intended to reference the wetlands that originally existed on the site. In the Victorian era, trellised gardens were popular in Old Town and the gardens here remember that era when the street grid followed the plan originally laid out by George Washington.
The park is intended for the general public's enjoyment and serves as a place for outdoor concerts. On Wednesdays through the summer the Old Town Farmer's Market sets up here.
Hanging Gardens
Located in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, The Athenaeum is home to the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association (NVFAA). Constructed between 1851-52, the Athenaeum is a Greek revival building with a rich history. The building is named after the Greek Goddess of wisdom, Athena. Over the years The Athenaeum has taken many names and was used for many functions. Together with the Lyceum, the Athenaeum is a foundation of Alexandria's Greek neo-classic buildings.
The building has a long history of use in Alexandria. Before the Civil War, Robert E. Lee banked here, when the building was known as the Bank of the Old Dominion. During the Civil War it was occupied by Federals and home to the Union Army Commissary Headquarters. In 1905, the bank was converted from commercial to industrial purposes. The building was used by the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Shop as a place to grind talcum into powder. In 1925, the talcum factory became the Free Methodist Church.
NVFAA purchased the Athenaeum in 1964. Since then, restorations have taken place using the funds from the members of the NVFAA and the National Park Service Save America's Treasure Grant.
Recent art exhibits include Song For Europe by Mark Cameron Boyd is participatory installation using his signature "text bisection" process on a series of chalkboards to address four different languages from European origin such as Greek, Latin, French, and English. This exhibit is on display from August 16th - September 21st.
Music is another art form featured at The Athenaeum.
Yoga classes are available at The Athenaeum. Instructor Betsy Huffman welcomes drop-ins. Class fees are only $18 per class. Classes are Mondays 11:30am
The Athenaeum is available for rentals for weddings, receptions, parties, business meetings and seminars.
The Ramsay House in early Spring
Scottish Merchant William Ramsay's built his now famous house in 1724. Many believe that the house was constructed in Dumfries but nearly 15 years later the structure was barged up the Potomac River to its present location on King St. in Old Town Alexandria. One reason for this belief is that the building was built in 1724, but Alexandria was established in 1749.
William Ramsay was Alexandria's first postmaster and the city founder. His residence was opened as a Visitors Center in 1956. Today, the Ramsay House offers much for visitors and residents of Alexandria. Stop by to view an orientation video, or to pick up maps and brochures. At the Ramsay House, one can make reservations, view foreign translations of materials. At the Ramsay House, one can purchase tickets for special events and for Mount
Vernon. Seasonal walking tours, "Footsteps to the Past" depart from the Ramsay House. This so-called "ghost tour" guides visitors through Old Town telling the tales of ghosts and local hauntings. The tour treks through about 6 blocks of Old Town's most beautiful streets. This is a fun way to learn more about the history of Old Town Alexandria.
Alexandria is a great place to work or live. Alexandria is home to numerous non-profits, associations, Motley Fool, the United States Patent Office and more. Old Town Alexandria is filled with shops and restaurants, a beautiful waterfront and has easy access by Metro or trolley. Whether your preference is historic or a bright shiny new condo, it's all here in Old Town.
The Barrett Library was built in 1937 and named after Kate Waller Barrett (185?-1925), to honor her memory as a humanitarian, social crusader, and political reformer. Mrs. Barrett was a very accomplished woman who received her M.D. from the Woman's Medical College of Georgia in 1892. Dr. Barrett opened a home for unwed mothers in 1893 with the financial aid of Charles Crittenton. By 1909 there were over 90 homes and national headquarters in Washington D.C. Dr. Barrett also was involved in veterans' relief, woman's suffrage, and the restoration of the Arlington Mansion.
The library renovated and expanded its facilities in 1995. The Foundation Center at Barrett Library collaborates with the Alexandria Library to strengthen the nonprofit sector with the appropriate knowledge about U.S. philanthropy and training for its patrons.
The Barrett Branch also offers the SummerQuest children's programs and “Let’s Talk Books” a Barrett book discussion group held every second Wednesday of each month at 7pm.
Hours: Monday-Thursday 9am-9pm
Friday 9am-6pm
Saturday 9am-5pm
Sunday 1pm-5pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
717 Queen Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 838-4555
Old Town Alexandria is a great place to live or work.
Art Festival in Old Town
In 1669 John Alexander bought the land that became Old Town from an English ship captain. John Alexander paid the tidy sum of 6,000 pounds of tobacco. Almost twenty years later, the town of Alexandria was formally established in 1749.
Today, visitors, tourists and travelers alike come to Alexandria VA to taste the quaint colonial and historical feel of this city not far from Washington DC. It's a place frequented by historical figures like George Washington and Robert E. Lee. Even for those like me, who were born in Fairfax and who have lived for many years in Alexandria, one never tires of the rich heritage of Alexandria.
Maybe that's because there's always something to do in Alexandria. A bike ride or a stroll along the Potomac Waterfront is pleasant, or perhaps a boat ride on the river. There are more than a hundred restaurants in Old Town
Cherry Blossom sternwheeler
alone. Standard favorites such as seafood, steak or Italian are here, as well as ethnic cuisine from around the world. For a taste of the colonial try Gadsby's Tavern, where George ate.
Alexandria is easily accessed by Metro and free trolley. The King St. trolley passes antiques shops, art galleries, boutiques and shops. Take a walking tour of Alexandria, or visit the Ramsay House to get a feel of Old Town.
With the new US Patent & Trademark Office, Alexandria's proximity to the Pentagon and DC and it's easy access to Fort Belvoir and Bowling AFB, every day more people discover why this is such a great place to live and work. I work, play and live in and around Alexandria VA. I'd love to help you find a place but doubt I can top the deal that John Alexander got when he paid 6,000 pounds of tobacco for his homestead. Today, that much tobacco might set you back $9000!
USPTO in Autumn
The good news is that 6,000 pounds of tobacco will cover your closing costs for most condos in Alexandria!
Oronoco Bay Park is a 4.5 acre Alexandria City park is located on the Potomac River at 701 North Lee Street. It has many entry points, the most obvious of which are at either the Madison or Pendleton Street entries or from the Wythe Street Plaza. The plaza entry is approximately in the center of the park, and there is also a sidewalk entry with trees and turf area between the Sheet Metal Workers of America building and the United Way building.
Oronoco Bay Park
The park was once known as "Texaco Bay" and before that it was owned by Standard Oil Company which was owned by John D. Rockefeller; however, the City acquired the property (and changed it to Oronoco Bay Park) in the early 1980's. Historically, the Alexandria area was inhabited by Indians when Captain John Smith sailed up the Potomac in the mid 17th Century.
The park hosts several festivals and events including the annual "Red Cross Waterfront Festival"---the largest Red Cross fund raiser in the United States. Private concerns may reserve and rent the park for their events as well.
walking path along the Potomac Oronoco Bay
This park is part of the linear park system along the Potomac. People can walk, jog or bike along the river path and enjoy the many sitting and picnic areas. There are wooden sun decks out into the river and a wooden boardwalk path that connects the path to the point where the bay and river meet near the Rowing Facility building.
Old Town Alexandria waterfront at Oronoco Bay
Old Town Alexandria is famed for its quaint historical atmosphere. Englishman John Gadsby operated a tavern here from 1796 to 1808. In those days, the tavern was the hub of political, business and social circles in Alexandria. Thus,
Gadsby's Tavern is an important part of the 18th Century heritage of today's Old Town Alexandria.
Gadsby's has been a landmark in Alexandria since colonial days.
Today Gadsby's Tavern Museum is located on Royal Street, a few blocks from route of the King St. trolley. Admission is only $4 for adults and $2 for children. Children under 11 are FREE when accompanied by a paying adult. The museum consists of two buildings, a ca. 1785 tavern and the 1792 City Hotel.
While in operation, the tavern was the setting for dancing assemblies, theatrical and musical performances, and meetings of local organizations. Prominent patrons such as George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and the Marquis de Lafayette are part of the history of Gadsby's.
At the tavern you can journey back to the 18th-century in a place where famous historical figures and everyday people dined and slept. The museum helps educate today's generations about the history, architecture, decorative arts, social customs, food, and clothing of the 1700's.
There is a restaurant still in operation in the building. The tavern can be rented for weddings, banquets and any meeting where linen tablecloths and a post-colonial setting are appreciated. Please note some tour times are not available due to special events at the museum. Please call in advance or check the online calendar for more information.
Will Nesbitt is the Principal Broker of Condo Alexandria.
