Old Town North Celebrates Historic Preservation Month

Route of Alexandria Canal in 1877, overlaid on an aerial photo of Old Town North (roughly north of Montgomery Street)

The City of Alexandria is celebrating National Historic Preservation Month in May.  NOTICe, the North Old Town Independent Citizens Association is a “collaborative partner” with the City and the Office of Historic Alexandria.  As such, it is offering history tours of Old Town North, led by amateur historian Mary Harris.

The first series is a history of the northern portion of Old Town North, focused on the waterfront and the area around Slater’s Lane.  On Thursdays (May 13, 20, 27, and June 3) from 12:30 to 1:30, tours will depart from the cul-de-sac of Slater’s Lane and tell the stories of life along the waterfront over the centuries, highlighting the women who lived and owned property there.  Registration is required via email, and is free to NOTICe members; a $5 donation is requested of non-members. 

The second tour is being held on Saturday, May 22 from 9 to 11 am, covering the entire history of Old Town North.  It all happened right in our neighborhood, from George Washington describing the area as a “fine improvable marsh” to our industrialization, our suburbanization, and Steppenwolf singing “Born to be Wild” at the Red Cross Waterfront Festival in 1992.  The tour starts at the corner of Pendleton and North Union Street.

Masks are required of participants in both tours.

A self guided tour is also available:
This tour brochure of the Old Town North neighborhood covers the area from Slater's Lane to Oronoco Street, and from Washington Street to the Potomac River. The tour is provided courtesy of the Department of Planning & Zoning.