The 1910 Plan to Take Alexandria Back from Virginia
In 1910, Taft, Hannis Taylor, and Washington’s Board of Trade tried to undo the 1846 Alexandria retrocession. Virginia and a lame-duck clock stopped them
Alexandria
Alexandria in 1940: Charles Cushman’s Kodachrome Old Town
Four early Kodachrome color photos of Old Town Alexandria from a single September 23, 1940 afternoon, taken by an amateur named Charles Cushman. He shot four frames and drove away. The Pentagon broke ground eleven months later.
Can You Find These Homes Today? I Did Some Sleuthing and This is What I Found
Can you find the homes shown in this 1920 Alexandria real estate advertisement? I did some sleuthing and this is what I found. Take a look at the Google Street View and see what you think! Plus, a super random historical context about George Gipp.
Lewis Hine’s Photos of Child Workers at the Alexandria Glass Company
In the 1910s, Lewis Hine photographed the young boys working at the Alexandria Glass Company, a striking Library of Congress record of child labor in Virginia.
Uncovering the Faces of Regular African-Americans in the 1860s with a Photo from the National Archives
Uncovering the faces of regular African-Americans in the 1860s, this beautiful old photo from the National Archives captures the lives and work of those living around Alexandria. Learn more about these individuals and check out photos of young boys working in the area.
Exploring the Lord Fairfax House in Alexandria, Virginia
Take a virtual tour of the Lord Fairfax House in Alexandria, VA. Learn about the Baron of Cameron and see the Google Street View today.
Uncovering the Sad Truth: Slave Pens Were Everywhere in Washington in the 1860s
Uncovering the sad truth of the past, Slave Pens existed in and around all of Washington in the 1860s. This photo shows one of those in Alexandria during the 1860s. Learn more at the Library of Congress.
Civil War Photos of Alexandria, VA: The Steam Frigate Pensacola in 1861
Civil War photographs taken in Alexandria, VA in 1861, featuring the steam frigate USS Pensacola docked along the Potomac.
Alexandria, Virginia from the Air in 1919
An aerial photograph of Alexandria, Virginia taken in 1919. Click through for the full-resolution version to explore the detail.