--From a postcard caption.Click here to see postcard
The postcards tell a story of a unique town whose past is inextricably linked to many famous people who have tread upon its cobblestone streets. If the buildings could only speak, what stories they would tell of the people who passed through their thresholds--of George Washington and Robert E. Lee, of Marquis de Lafayette and George Mason. George Washington's connection to Alexandria began at the young age of seventeen when he was a surveyor and drew an unofficial map in 1748 of the land where the town of Alexandria now resides. A year later in 1749, the Virginia House of Burgesses passed a petition to establish Alexandria as a town, and construction of the town began that summer. Since then Alexandria has witnessed many historical events, and thousands of tourists travel each year to experience and explore Alexandria's history. For a brief history of Alexandria, Virginia go to the City of Alexandria web page.
The city of Alexandria takes pride in preserving its historic charm. In 1946 Alexandria created the Old and Historic District which provided protection to all buildings dated 1846 or earlier from unwarranted demolition and/or renovation deemed to be out of character with their history or surrounding. Today Alexandria remains strongly committed to preserving its historic buildings and keeping alive its history. To learn more about Historic Alexandria go to the Office of Historic Alexandria web page.
