The Old Town Tour!!....7/6/09....

The Old Town Tour!!....

On our tour, my partners and I noticed many interesting and fun facts about Old Town. It's history amazes me and it may even be mind-bottling sometimes.

First we saw the library on Queen and Columbus Street. The Alexandria Library is in a peaceful environment and relaxing to some. It is near townhomes and hovering trees in some areas.

Second, we saw the Christ Church and the cemetery behind the church. My partners and I noticed that not all of the gravestones were in there appropriate place or they were broken. This was due to the Civil Troop Soldiers abusing them.

We next visited Lord Fairfax's House. He lived in a super nice house with lots of space. Fairfax County was named after him.

Next, we saw George Washington's business house in Mount Vernon where he did his work. Apart from his worklife was his family. He and his family lived in a different house. A long time ago, it would take him a day's trip to get home from his business house, now it would take about 15 minutes. Fifth, we went to an Ice Well on the Corner of Cameron and Royal Street. Before the freezer was invented, people had to freeze ice the old fashioned in Alexandria. They would have to go to the Potomac River in the winter, get huge chunks of ice, put it in the ice cellar and cover it in hay. They would keep it down there until the summer to put in there drinks or they would use it for meats.

Lastly, there was Gadspy's Tavern. 1785 tavern and 1792 city hotel. It is located on the corner of Cameron and Royal Street as well. A tavern was a place where you could sleep and eat(hotel and/or inn). Men were only allowed there but women were allowed in the dance rooms with the men. One fact that my partners and I found disturbing was that the men would room with other men they didn't know and/or share the same bed. Pretty Grody, Rite??

In Old Town, there are many places you can visit and learn about its history while still having fun; such as Gadspy's Tavern Museum, George Washington's business home, Christ Church, the Alexandria Library, Lord Fairfax's Home, and many other buildings. Also, if you get hungry along the way you can stop for some ice cream or even out to eat. Trust me, the restaurants and ice cream is amazing. You can also shop there, they have some rockin clothes.....