Alexandria Library. Local History / Special Collections (Alexandria, Va.)

LOCAL HISTORY / SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
<p>Local History/Special Collections is located inside the Barrett Branch Library.
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<p>Hours and Location
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<p>
<p>Mon, Oct 30 10:00AM to 8:00PM
<p>Tue, Oct 31 10:00AM to 8:00PM
<p>Wed, Nov 01 10:00AM to 8:00PM
<p>Thu, Nov 02 Closed
<p>Fri, Nov 03 10:00AM to 5:00PM
<p>Sat, Nov 04 10:00AM to 5:00PM
<p>Sun, Nov 05 Closed
<p>MAP
<p>Address
<p>717 Queen Street
<p>Alexandria
<p>Alexandria, VA 22314
<p>Tel: 703.746.1706
<p>Fax: 703.746.1708
<p>About The Branch
<p>Appointments encouraged but not required.
<p>
<p>Parking: No library parking lot. Street parking is available. A paid parking lot is available on the 100 block of North Alfred Street.
<p>
<p>Public Transit:
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<p>Metrorail: Yellow and Blue lines at Braddock Road (1 mile) and King Street Stations (1.1 miles).
<p>Metrobus: 10A/B, 11C
<p>DASH Bus: 30, 31, Old Town Circulator
<p>King Street Trolley: King and Columbus
<p>For reasonable disability accommodation, contact jgregorio@alexlibraryva.org or call 703.746.1701 or TTY 703.746.1790.

Interested in Alexandria history? Check out the Special Collections branch.
<p>By John Kelly
<p>October 4, 2014 at 2:59 p.m. EDT
<p>
<p>Open one of the wide, thin file drawers in the Special Collections room at Alexandria's Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library and you will see several large sheets of paper printed with genealogies that are as detailed and complex as any Plantagenet king's.
<p>
<p>Fast, informative and written just for locals. Get The 7 DMV newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning.
<p>The family trees do depict royalty, at least as far as the South is concerned. The library is the official depository of the Society of the Lees of Virginia, an organization open to people who can trace their ancestry back to Richard Lee, who came to Virginia in 1639. (He's known as "the Emigrant.")
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<p>Genealogy is what draws most people to this corner of the Barrett Library, the staff of which has graciously assisted Answer Man in his vital work. George K. Combs, the special collections manager, said budding genealogists often come in and preface research on their ancestors with, "I should have asked my grandfather when he was alive."
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<p>ADVERTISING
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<p>
<p>Said George: “We hear that every day. And often it’s, ‘I just retired and my wife wants me out of the house.’ They’ll come in and say, ‘Where do I start?’ ”
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<p>They start with George or one of his three staffers.
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<p>“I’ve got a shelf or part of a shelf with books for every county and jurisdiction in Virginia,” George said. “That’s history, genealogy, maps.”
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<p>The focus is naturally on Alexandria. Vertical files detail famous Alexandria families. There are files on different streets in town, too, with pertinent newspaper articles, board of architectural review reports and, if available, house histories.
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<p>“A lot of people when they buy a home in Old Town, they’re buying it for the cachet,” George said. “They want to know who lived here then, what did they do.”
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<p>To help find out, the library has city directories, some dating to the 1700s. There are files for cemeteries and churches. Sanborn fire insurance maps detail buildings and what they were made of, whether brick or frame. The Alexandria Gazette newspaper is on microfilm. The collection also includes more than 50,000 images, mostly photographs but also drawings and illustrations.
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<p>Alexandria — founded in 1749 — is about as historic as it comes around here. That means many residents know their stuff. Sometimes, however, unsubstantiated legends take on the patina of fact.
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<p>Take Alexandria's cobblestone streets. "The story was it was Hessian prisoners of war during the Revolution who built them," George said. "However the streets didn't get cobbled till many years after the war. "If they were Hessian prisoners of war, no one told them that the war was over."
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<p>The Barrett branch library has its own interesting history. Built in 1937 on an old Quaker burial ground, it is descended from a private, subscription-based library founded in 1794 by some of the city’s leading figures. That was called the Alexandria Library Company. Some of its books — purchased on buying trips to England — are still in the collection, though an unknown number disappeared during the Civil War, pilfered by souvenir-hunting Union soldiers.
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<p>In 1939, the building was the site of a sit-in by five African American Alexandrians protesting the segregated library. The sit-in was organized by lawyer Samuel Tucker.
<p>
<p>
<p>Share this article
<p>No subscription required to read
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<p>"A lot of people tend to think that history stops after George Washington and Robert E. Lee," George said. "There's a lot of history that comes after that."
<p>
<p>And George is always on the lookout for it. He’s excited about a new collection of Alexandria billheads — the decorative stationery used by businesses for receipts — and a bunch of AB&W bus schedules from the 1930s.
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<p>George joined the library as an intern in 1992, when he was a student at Catholic University. “I realized, gee, I don’t want to leave,” he said. A special collections librarian is, well, special.
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<p>“Most librarians, you’re with them five or 10 minutes,” George said. “We spend three, four hours with people.”
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<p>Advertisement
<p>Or longer. George said he has one customer — now in his 80s — who’s been chasing down the same ancestor for almost 20 years.
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<p>“He’s got her name,” George said. “He’s got her in one place, then in another place.”
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<p>Is she the same person, or two different people?
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<p>Said George: “After a year of not seeing him, he’ll walk in and say, ‘You found her yet?’”
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<p>Not yet.
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<p>George added: “You’ve got to enjoy it in order to do it. It’s like putting together jigsaw puzzles.”
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<p>Alexandria Library Special Collections — Kate Waller Barrett Branch, 717 Queen St., Alexandria. 703-746-1706. Open Mondays 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Tuesdays 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Fridays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Sundays and Thursdays. Free.
<p>
<p>Have a question about the Washington area? Don’t keep it to yourself. Send it to answerman@washpost.com.
<p>
<p>For previous columns, visit washingtonpost.com/johnkelly.

Alexandria Library (Virginia)
<p>
<p>Article
<p>Talk
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<p>
<p>Tools
<p>Coordinates: 38°48′28″N 77°2′49″W
<p>From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
<p>Alexandria Library
<p>Alexandria Library (Virginia) is located in AlexandriaCharles E. Beatley, Jr. Central LibraryCharles E. Beatley, Jr. Central LibraryKate Waller Barrett Branch LibraryKate Waller Barrett Branch LibraryEllen Coolidge Burke Branch LibraryEllen Coolidge Burke Branch LibraryJames M. Duncan Branch LibraryJames M. Duncan Branch Library
<p>MapWikimedia | © OpenStreetMap
<p>Location US
<p>Established 1794
<p>Branches 6
<p>Collection
<p>Size 503,191
<p>Other information
<p>Director Rose T. Dawson
<p>Website alexlibraryva.org
<p>
<p>Beatley Central Library
<p>
<p>Reference area in Beatley Central Library
<p>
<p>Duncan Branch Library in 2019
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<p>Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
<p>Alexandria Library is the public library in Alexandria, Virginia in the United States.[1]
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<p>History
<p>In 1794, Alexandria Library opened as a private lending library, calling itself the Alexandria Library Company.
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<p>In 1937, Dr. Robert South Barrett donated funds to build a public library in memory of his mother, physician Dr. Kate Waller Barrett (1857-1925). The Society of Friends granted a 99-year lease for use of its former Quaker Burial Ground (then used as a playground).[2] An informal agreement provided that the interments would not be disturbed, although the few gravestones were transferred to the Woodlawn Quaker Meetinghouse and a granite marker acknowledges the former use. Thus, the new library building was built without a basement, but rather on a concrete slab foundation (as were subsequent additions).[3] The Library Company cooperated in this effort, contracting with the Alexandria City Council to turn over its collections to City of Alexandria as the City agreed to include the public library's operating expenses in its budget.
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<p>Due to practices common in Virginia and other Southern states at the time, the public library originally only permitted white residents to use the facility. On August 21, 1939, several young African American men, in a strategy devised by attorney Samuel Wilbert Tucker (who grew up about two blocks from the new library), staged a peaceable sit-in at the library to enable African Americans to use that public facility in the first known non-violent sit-in of the Civil rights movement in America.[4][5] Although they were arrested, charges were ultimately dropped by city attorney Armistead Boothe, and a branch library was built in 1940 for African Americans and named after Robert H. Robinson, which closed circa 1960 and now houses the Alexandria Black History Museum.[6][7]
<p>
<p>Current operations
<p>Today the library consists of a new central building (built in 2000 and named for mayor Charles E. Beatley) and four branch libraries, and includes two special divisions: Local History /Special Collections (in what became the Kate Waller Barret Branch Library) and a Talking Books division for the blind and visually handicapped. The other library buildings are: the Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library, the James M. Duncan Branch Library and the law library branch located in the historic Alexandria City Hall near the Barrett branch.[8]
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<p>Patrons check out more than 1.5 million titles annually, including books, CDs, DVDs, magazines, eAudioBooks, and other items. The system owned 503,191 items and had 700,921 library visitors (more than 1.3 million including its web site) in FY2017.[9] The library's current director is Rose T. Dawson. Among its more than 150 employees are more than 40 staff with master's degrees in library science.[8]
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<p>The library offers a wide variety of programs and services, both in the branches and via the Web site. Each branch has computers for access to the Internet, the catalog, downloadable material and databases. Library sponsored programs include: summer reading, One Book/One City, literary discussion groups, author book signings, children story times and other events for the city's diverse population. The Alexandria Library also started offering passport services[10] at the Barrett Branch[11] and Beatley Central Library in October 2016.
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<p>Non-resident privileges
<p>Non-Residents of the city who work, own property or attend school in the city may obtain a library card without charge. Non-Residents that live in an area that will offer reciprocal library card privileges to Alexandria residents may also obtain a free library card. Thus residents of the District of Columbia, the Maryland Counties of Montgomery, and Prince George's, the Virginia cities of Fairfax and Falls Church, and Virginia counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Frederick, Loudoun, and Prince William are all eligible.
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<p>Nearby public library systems
<p>Arlington Public Library
<p>Fairfax County Public Library
<p>District of Columbia Public Library
<p>Prince George's County Memorial Library System
<p>References
<p>"Alexandria Library". alexlibraryva.org. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
<p>Martha Claire Catlin, Historical Overview of the Woodlawn Quaker Meeting (October 2016), available at http://woodlawnfriends.org/home/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Historical-Overview-of-the-Woodlawn-Quaker-Meeting.pdf
<p>Francine M. Bromberg et al., "To Find Rest from All Trouble: The Archeology of the Quaker Burying Ground Alexandria Virginia" (Office of Historic Alexandria, 2000) pp. 90-91, 109-111, 180-182
<p>"1939 Library Sit-In". alexlibraryva.org. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
<p>"How An Alexandria Man Came To Lead One Of The First Civil Rights Protests". WAMU. October 3, 2014. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
<p>"The History of the Alexandria Black History Museum". Retrieved January 26, 2018.
<p>"Robert Robinson Library - African American Historic Sites Database". African American Historic Sites Database. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
<p>"Locations and Hours". alexlibraryva.org. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
<p>"Library" (PDF). Alexandria Library. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
<p> "Apply for a Passport". alexlibraryva.org. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
<p>"Alexandria Library Barrett Branch". February 4, 2015. Retrieved January 26, 2018.

Welcome to the Alexandria Library's Local History/Special Collections Branch. This page provides access to our archival and manuscript finding aids, which can be used to locate items at our Branch facility. Our collection focus is on Alexandria and Virginia history and genealogy.

Alexandria Library Digital Special Collections
Founded as a subscription library in 1794 and serving as the public library of Alexandria, VA since 1937 – Alexandria Library has a long legacy of supporting early literacy and lifelong learning in our diverse community. The Alexandria Library builds community through its six locations by providing opportunities to learn, explore, create, and connect. The Library’s Local History / Special Collections stewards many valuable resources documenting the history and culture of Alexandria and Virginia from the colonial period to the present.

Here you can browse our digital special collections and explore the history of Alexandria anywhere, anytime!

Alexandria Library
<p>Archive-It Partner Since: Sep, 2022
<p>
<p>Organization Type: Public Libraries & Local Governments
<p>
<p>Organization URL: https://alexlibraryva.org/
<p>
<p>Description: Founded as a subscription library in 1794 and serving as the public library of Alexandria, VA since 1937 – Alexandria Library has a long legacy of supporting early literacy and lifelong learning in our diverse community. The Alexandria Library builds community through its six locations by providing opportunities to learn, explore, create, and connect. The Library’s Local History / Special Collections stewards many valuable resources documenting the history and culture of Alexandria and Virginia from the colonial period to the present.
<p>
<p>Alexandria Library Records
<p>Archived since: Nov, 2022
<p>
<p>Description: This collection contains web-published resources that were created by, or are directly related to, the Alexandria Library in Alexandria, Virginia. This includes the Library website, Library social media accounts, Library blog, and the websites of Library friends' groups
<p>Subject: Universities & Libraries, Society & Culture, Government - Cities, Public libraries
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<p>Creator: Alexandria (Va.). Library
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<p>Rights: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
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<p>Identifier: MS098
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<p>Collector: Local History and Special Collections, Alexandria Library
<p>
<p>Local Businesses
<p>Archived since: Mar, 2023
<p>
<p>Description: This series contains web-published resources created by local businesses and neighborhood business associations in Alexandria, Virginia. Web archives formats include websites, blogs, social media sites, and internet videos
<p>Subject: Society & Culture, Alexandria (Va.) -- Businesses, Community development -- Alexandria -- Virginia, Alexandria (Va.) -- Social life and customs
<p>
<p>Date: Captured 2023 - present
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<p>Rights: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
<p>
<p>Identifier: WA001
<p>
<p>Collector: Local History and Special Collections, Alexandria Library
<p>
<p>Local History, Culture, and Arts
<p>Archived since: Mar, 2023
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<p>Description: This series contains web-published resources created by or relating to local arts organizations; performing arts groups including dance companies, orchestras, bands, and choirs; historical and archaeological organizations; cultural events; theatres and performance venues; and arts education in Alexandria, Virginia. Web archives formats include websites, blogs, social media sites, and internet videos
<p>Subject: Society & Culture, Arts & Humanities, Alexandria (Va.) -- Social life and customs, Community development -- Alexandria -- Virginia, Alexandria (Va.) -- Associations, institutions, etc., Alexandria (Va.) -- History
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<p>Date: Captured 2023 - present
<p>
<p>Rights: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
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<p>Identifier: WA001
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<p>Collector: Local History and Special Collections, Alexandria Library
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<p>Local News Publications
<p>Archived since: Mar, 2023
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<p>Description: This series contains web-published resources created by local newspapers, magazines, and news blogs in Alexandria, Virginia. Web archives formats include websites, blogs, social media sites, and internet videos
<p>Subject: Society & Culture, Blogs & Social Media, Alexandria (Va.) -- Newspapers, Alexandria (Va.) -- Social life and customs, Community development -- Alexandria -- Virginia
<p>
<p>Date: Captured 2023 - present
<p>
<p>Rights: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
<p>
<p>Identifier: WA001
<p>
<p>Collector: Local History and Special Collections, Alexandria Library
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<p>Local Religious Organizations
<p>Archived since: Mar, 2023
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<p>Description: This series contains web-published resources created by local religious organizations representing a diversity of religious communities in Alexandria, Virginia. Web archives formats include websites, blogs, social media sites, and internet videos
<p>Subject: Society & Culture, Alexandria (Va.) -- Social life and customs, Community development -- Alexandria -- Virginia, Alexandria (Va.) -- Associations, institutions, etc.
<p>
<p>Date: Captured 2023 - present
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<p>Rights: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
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<p>Identifier: WA001
<p>
<p>Collector: Local History and Special Collections, Alexandria Library
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<p>Non-Profit and Community Organizations
<p>Archived since: Mar, 2023
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<p>Description: This series contains web-published resources created by or relating to local volunteer organizations, mutual aid coalitions, neighborhood associations, charitable organizations, and non-profit educational organizations in Alexandria, Virginia. Web archives formats include websites, blogs, social media sites, and internet videos
<p>Subject: Society & Culture, Alexandria (Va.) -- Social life and customs, Community development -- Alexandria -- Virginia, Alexandria (Va.) -- Associations, institutions, etc.
<p>
<p>Date: Captured 2023 - present
<p>
<p>Rights: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
<p>
<p>Identifier: WA001
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<p>Collector: Local History and Special Collections, Alexandria Library

Conducting Your Own Historic Research
<p>For certain records, the knowledgeable research librarians may refer you to the Archives and Records Center, the Clerk of the Circuit Court, the Library of Congress, the National Archives, or to one of the Historic Alexandria Museums. A brief outline of each facility can be found below.
<p>Page updated on May 5, 2023 at 2:15 PM
<p>
<p>Where to I Start?
<p>Do you have questions about the history of your property, genealogy, or local history? The Alexandria Library's Local History/Special Collections division is the the best place to start your research. The knowledgeable librarians can provide further guidance.
<p>
<p>Then check the Topical Guide below to see which of the Alexandria Resources and Other Resources may be useful in your search.
<p>
<p>Topical Guide to the Resources
<p>Census
<p>Deeds, Wills, Deeds of trust, Land records
<p>Genealogy
<p>Local History & Photographs
<p>Newspapers & Maps
<p>Official Government Records
<p>Alexandria Resources
<p>Alexandria Library, Local History/Special Collections
<p>Alexandria Archives and Records Center
<p>Alexandria Circuit Court
<p>George Washington Masonic National Memorial
<p>Historic Alexandria Museums
<p>Online Resources for the Study of Alexandria's History
<p>Other Resources
<p>Arlington County Circuit Court
<p>Arlington Library, Center for Local History
<p>Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Library
<p>Historical Society of Washington, DC
<p>Fairfax Circuit Court, Historical Records Room
<p>Fairfax County Library, Virginia Room
<p>Library of Congress
<p>Library of Virginia
<p>Library of Virginia State Records Center
<p>National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
<p>Virginia Historical Society
<p>Virginia Office of Vital Records and Health Statistics
<p>Virtual Library of Virginia (VIVA)
<p>Historic Alexandria

ABOUT LOCAL HISTORY/SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
<p>Local History/Special Collections houses many resources for those interested in Alexandria and Virginia history and genealogy and the Civil War. Major activities include generating online exhibits, collection guides and genealogy indexes.
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<p>COLLECTION OVERVIEW
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<p>Local History
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<p>Alexandria and Northern Virginia resources include: compilations of birth, death and marriage records; church and cemetery information; microfilm copies of the Alexandria Gazette, the local newspaper; information about local archaeological projects; microfilm copies of legal records such as wills and deeds; information about historic Alexandria houses; biographical information about prominent local people and families; general histories of the area.
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<p>
<p>Genealogy
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<p>The collection is strongest for Virginia families, but more general resources are available as well. An in-depth guide to the collection's genealogy resources is also available. Materials include: indexes and compilations of vital statistics for Virginia counties and limited material about neighboring states; microfilm of the federal census for all the Virginia counties; dozens of genealogical journals.
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<p>Civil War
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<p>History of all aspects of the conflict, with a focus on the Confederacy. Resources include: Virginia regimental histories; War of the Rebellion Official Record (the "OR"), which reproduces government documents dealing with the war; information about Alexandria during the war.
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<p>
<p>Photographs
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<p>The library has several collections of photographs that depict life in and around Alexandria from the time of the Civil War to the present. Photocopies of the images are arranged by subject, and digital and photographic reproductions of prints are available for a fee. The collections cover Alexandria people, events, houses and other well-known places. The Historic Alexandria Imaged Database is a sampling from our several collections of materials related to the historic structures in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia.
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<p>Microfilm
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<p>In addition to the census records and the Alexandria Gazette, the collection contains: microfilm of other local newspapers; deed books, will books and other local land records; maps of the local area; copies of several manuscript collections. A subject index of the microfilm collection is available both at the library and online.
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<p>Manuscript Collections
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<p>The library holds the personal and business papers of many Alexandria individuals and institutions, including the records of some local private schools, businesses, and people. There is a subject index to the collections in-house as well as online, and detailed finding aids exist for many collections as well.
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<p>Rare Books
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<p>The core of the rare book collection is the original collection of the Alexandria Library Company, which was begun in the 1790s. This collection is representative of the types of books that could be found in a subscription library from that time period.
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<p>
<p>Maps
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<p>Most of the maps in the collection cover Virginia, with emphasis on the Alexandria region. Most maps are available for perusal in their original print form, while others, like the detailed Sanborn Fire Insurance maps, can be found on microfilm as well. The map collection is indexed by subject, and the index is available online and in the library.
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<p>Periodicals
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<p>Special Collections subscribes to many journals that discuss history, genealogy and historic preservation. Twenty-three of those periodicals are indexed and available online.





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<p>ALEXANDRIA LIBRARY COMPANY

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<p>
<p>The Alexandria Library Company was founded on July 24, 1794, at John Wise's house. A week later the members met in Wise's long room -- upstairs in the smaller section of today's Gadsby's Tavern -- to elect officers. The Reverend James Muir was elected president, Samuel Craig, treasurer, and Edward Stabler, librarian. On January 9, 1799, the Alexandria Library Company was chartered by the General Assembly of Virginia.

<p>
<p>To see the library's timeline click here.




<p>
<p>1939 SIT IN


<p>
<p>One of the nation’s earliest known civil rights sit-in involved leadership from native Alexandrian, attorney Samuel W. Tucker, and five young African American men who demonstrated an act of civil disobedience at the Barrett Branch after being denied library cards.

<p>
<p>Learn more here.




<p>
<p>BOOK SHOP
<p>

<p>The Library sells a select list of books related to Virginia and Alexandria history and genealogy. Orders are accepted by mail with payment by check or money order.
<p>
<p>Please print the price list/order form.
<p>
<p>WHAT HAPPENED TO LLOYD HOUSE
<p>
<p>
<p>The Alexandria Library spent most of the 1990s on a building boom. A new central (main) library was constructed on Duke Street opposite the former site of Cameron Station, now a residential area. The Barrett Branch on Queen Street, shed of its "main library" space requirements, had room to house the history and genealogy collections formerly in Lloyd House. Local History and Special Collections moved to Barrett Branch in May 2000. In addition, the Barrett Library serves as a downtown branch with full public library service including services to children.
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<p>Our last two years in Lloyd House were difficult. Shelving space was non-existent and we had to triple layer the books on the windowsills to store the collection. An architectural engineering study revealed stability issues and we had to pack over 4,000 books (about 25% of the collection) to off-site storage with no access and discontinue use of a lot of shelving because the floor was not safe for the 150 pounds/square foot floor loading requirement for a library even though we knew at that point that we'd be leaving the building.
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<p>After vacating Lloyd House, the building was closed for about three years for extensive renovation that included shoring up the floor and ceiling joists that affected the use by the Library. Space was opened up on the first floor on the north side and a catering kitchen and restroom were added on that level. At this time Lloyd House is the headquarters for the Office of Historic Alexandria, the city agency responsible for the museums, Archaeology, etc. So, it is in use as light office space. The public spaces on the first floor and the backyard garden are used as rentals for social functions.
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<p>
<p>The Alexandria Library moved its historical and genealogical collections to the Lloyd House in 1976 because the collection outgrew the space it had in the Barrett Library. By 2000, we had clearly outgrown Lloyd House and there was plenty to be had (more space, increased service hours to include evenings, and modern conveniences) with a return to the Barrett Library.

Lloyd House (Alexandria, Virginia)
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<p>Coordinates: 38°48′25″N 77°2′49″W
<p>From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
<p>Lloyd House
<p>U.S. National Register of Historic Places
<p>Virginia Landmarks Register
<p>
<p>(2021)
<p>Lloyd House (Alexandria, Virginia) is located in Alexandria Historical DistrictLloyd House (Alexandria, Virginia)
<p>Show map of Alexandria Historical District
<p>Show map of Virginia
<p>Show map of the United States
<p>Show all
<p>Location 220 N. Washington St.,
<p>Alexandria, Virginia
<p>Coordinates 38°48′25″N 77°2′49″W
<p>Area less than one acre
<p>Built 1796
<p>Architectural style Georgian
<p>NRHP reference No. 76002222[1]
<p>VLR No. 100-0090
<p>Significant dates
<p>Added to NRHP July 12, 1976
<p>Designated VLR February 17, 1976[2]
<p>The Lloyd House, also known as the Wise-Hooe-Lloyd House, is a historic house and library located at 220 North Washington Street at the corner of Queen Street in the Old Town area of Alexandria, Virginia. It was built from 1796 to 1797 by John Wise, a prominent entrepreneur, in the late eighteenth-century Georgian architectural style.[3] The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 12, 1976.
<p>
<p>History
<p>
<p>Robert E. Lee who was a student at Lloyd House when it was a school in the 1820s.
<p>The Lloyd House was built in 1796–97 by John Wise. It was a high status building and President George Washington was a guest there on one occasion.[4] In 1810, Wise sold the house to Jacob Hoffman, who would later become Mayor of Alexandria. In 1824, Hoffman sold the home to James Hooe for $13,000.[4] After his death in 1826, his widow rented out the house to an educator, Benjamin Hallowell, who used the building as a schoolhouse. When Hooe's widow died in 1831, it was sold to John Lloyd. John Lloyd's wife was the cousin of Robert E. Lee, who had been a student at the school.[4] The Lloyd family owned the property for over 100 years until the 1930s. During the 1940s and 1950s, it fell into ruin, and in 1956 proposals were made to gut the building; there were opposed by the Historic Alexandria Foundation.[4] A businessman from Wyoming, Robert V. New, bought the house, saving it from being destroyed, and financed its major renovation.[4] Fully restored, in 1968 Lloyd House was sold to the City of Alexandria.[4]
<p>
<p>Lloyd House currently serves as the administrative headquarters for the Office of Historic Alexandria, a department of the City of Alexandria government. The department is dedicated to the collection and preservation of historic sites, and since 1976 the building has also housed important historical and genealogical collections which are part of the Alexandria Library. Shelving space was tripled at Lloyd House in order to store the collection which has over 4,000 books.[5]
<p>
<p>
<p>A photo of the house from the Historic American Buildings Survey
<p>Architecture
<p>The Lloyd House is characteristic of the early post-colonial style in Virginia and is a fine example of Federal domestic architecture.[4] It is a two-story rectangular brick building with a five-bay front on the Washington street side, four chimneys, and a gabled roof with three dormers.[4] The central entrance is solid wood and is flanked by two Doric pilasters. When the house was renovated in the early 1960s, the original 18th-century Flemish bond masonry on the exterior was damaged and repainted with Portland cement and the original interior pine boards were covered with painted hardwood flooring.[4]
<p>
<p>Archives
<p>Lloyd House has a complete collection of the Virginia census from 1790 to 1920 and related material and information on Virginia's county and city histories and genealogies.[6] It also has African-American research materials such as the published Fairfax County and Alexandria Free Negro Registers, published records on births, obituaries, cemeteries, wills, deeds and marriage indexes, unpublished Alexandria church records, tax records, microfilm and a collection of over 9,000 Alexandria photographs and maps.[6] Rooms of the house can also be rented for wedding receptions, conferences etc.[3]
<p>
<p>See also
<p>National Register of Historic Places listings in Alexandria, Virginia
<p>References
<p>"National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
<p>"Virginia Landmarks Register". Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved 2013-05-12.
<p>"Rent the Lloyd House". City of Alexandria, Virginia. Retrieved March 22, 2010.
<p>"LloydHouse" (PDF). United States Department of the Interior and National Register of Historic Places. 1976. Retrieved March 23, 2010.
<p>"Local History/Special Collections". Alexandria Library. Retrieved March 22, 2010.
<p>"Alexandria Library, Lloyd House:Alexandria, Virginia's Library and Archives for History and Genealogy" (PDF). Virginia Genealogical Society. September–October 1993. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 30, 2010. Retrieved March 22, 2010.

PLAN YOUR VISIT
<p>Local History/Special Collections houses many resources for those interested in Alexandria and Virginia history and genealogy and the Civil War.
<p>
<p>Below is information to help you plan your visit.
<p>
<p>The Guides and Indexes give information about the various resources available.
<p>Please review the information about the collection, the use of the reading room, and the fees for duplication services.
<p>Please review the hours of operation as they differ from the Barrett Branch Library.
<p>If you have any questions, please contact Local History & Special Collections staff at 703-746-1706.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>GUIDES AND INDEXES
<p>
<p>
<p>ALEXANDRIA LIBRARY COMPANY BIBLIOGRAPHY
<p>A bibliography is available of over 3000 titles that were a part of the original collection comprising the Alexandria Library under the Alexandria Library Company. Titles available at the Hathi Trust site may be browsed or full text searched via the Alexandria Library Company Collection. Additional titles will be added as they become available on the site.
<p>
<p>
<p>ALEXANDRIA LIBRARY PHOTOGRAPHS COLLECTION
<p>The Alexandria Library, Local History/Special Collections has more than 50,000 photographs in its collections ranging from 19th century daguerrotypes to images made by professional photographers still in practice.
<p>
<p>
<p>ALEXANDRIA LIBRARY PHOTO INDEX
<p>The Photo Index contains photocopies of images from the Local History/Special Collections archival holdings arranged by subject and location. Please bear in mind that the quality is not high and that these subject indexes are being provided for research purposes only. If you are interested in viewing any original images, please fill out the Branch's General or House History Research Request form, noting the pdf title, page number, and image number you are interested in seeing. Note: images from recently acquired collections will not be added to the Photo Index. Researchers should refer to the findings aids for those collections located at Archive and Manuscript Collections guide.
<p>
<p>
<p>ARCHIVE AND MANUSCRIPT COLLECTIONS
<p>Local History/Special Collections includes more than 250 archive and manuscript collections of Alexandria and material relating to Northern Virginia. The collections vary from account books and diaries to sheet music to audiocassettes of oral histories, advertising, miscellaneous city and other documents, correspondence and material related to the historic structures in Alexandria, etc. Download the PDF document here.
<p>
<p>
<p>BLUEPRINTS AND MEASURED DRAWINGS COLLECTION
<p>This collection is used to study the history of structures in Alexandria.Building and Repair Permits were first issued in the City of Alexandria, ca. 1891 and are useful to today's homeowner or researcher who is preparing a history of the property.
<p>
<p>
<p>BUILDING AND REPAIR PERMITS
<p>Building and Repair Permits were first issued in the City of Alexandria, ca. 1891 and are useful to today's homeowner or researcher who is preparing a history of the property. These nearly 3400 permits cover the period ca. 1896-1928. There are a very few permits in the collection prior to 1896. The index is organized alphabetically by street name and then numerically by house number.
<p>

<p>CIVIL WAR ERA PRINTS INVENTORY
<p>Includes pictures from the following sources: Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, Harper's Weekly, 1860-1890, Illustrated London News, New York Illustrated News, Pictorial Battles of the Civil War, Pictorial Battles of the War of 1861, Pictorial War Record.
<p>
<p>
<p>GENEALOGY INDEXES
<p>A list of indexes covering topics such as obituaries, censuses, military records, yearbooks, and naturalization petitions.
<p>
<p>
<p>GUIDE TO AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCES
<p>This resource guide is intended to present an overview of materials available for the study of African American history in the Alexandria Library Local History/Special Collections division. The guide focuses on recent publications, acquisitions and Internet resources, in addition to providing listings for older resources which remain important in the field.
<p>
<p>
<p>GUIDE TO VIRGINIA TRANSPORTATION (COLONIAL TO THE CIVIL WAR)
<p>An introductory guide to books and journal articles on the development of transportation in Virginia.
<p>
<p>
<p>GUIDE TO WOMEN'S HISTORY RESOURCES
<p>A guide to books, manuscript collections, photograph collections, websites and other materials on women's history.
<p>
<p>
<p>MAPS COLLECTION
<p>This collection includes more than 500 historic maps that focus on Alexandria and regional history. These maps date from the early 17th century and are as current as today. The maps collection is available for use only in the Library.
<p>
<p>
<p>MICROFILM INDEX
<p>In addition to the census records and the Alexandria Gazette, the collection contains: microfilm of other local newspapers; deed books, will books and other local land records; maps of the local area; copies of several manuscript collections.
<p>
<p>
<p>SERIALS AND NEWSPAPERS
<p>Our history and genealogy periodical collection and our historical newspapers on microfilm.
<p>
<p>
<p>TAX ASSESSOR'S COLLECTION
<p>Digital images of Old Town property tax documents from the 1960s.
<p>
<p>
<p>VERTICAL FILE SUBJECT GUIDE
<p>Includes clippings from newspapers and journals, brochures, and unpublished reports.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>INFORMATION
<p>
<p>
<p>THE COLLECTION
<p>The books, microfilm, manuscripts, photographs and other items in the Local History/Special Collections Branch constitute a research collection; none of the materials may be checked out of the library.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>PERSONAL ITEMS
<p>As many of the materials in the collection are fragile and/or valuable, patrons are asked to leave personal belongings such as bags and jackets in a locker and exercise care when handling materials.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>FOOD & DRINK
<p>Food and drink are not permitted in Local History/Special Collections <p>and cell phones ringers should be turned off or set to vibrate.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>COPIER
<p>A self-service, coin-operated copier and microfilm reader/printers are available. Researchers may use a flash drive to scan microfilm images for free. Studio-quality reproductions or digital scans of photographs are also available (see below).
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>PHOTO DUPLICATION FEES
<p>
<p>
<p>$20.00 per scan at 300 dpi, for one time use only.
<p>
<p>$30.00 per scan for images higher than 300 dpi, for one time use only
<p>
<p>$50.00 Expedited Service (less than 10 business days) – per image
<p>
<p>Please make checks payable to: Alexandria Library
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>Preferred method of delivery is through DropBox (Free). If your organization restricts file transfers, please make arrangements with your IT department to provide temporary access, as we will not mail image files via CD, DVD, or USB.
<p>Staff will only do a minimum of touch-up (deskew, cropping, or color correction) to images or approximately 30 minutes’ worth of touch-up. Extensive resizing, color correction, etc. is the responsibility of the requestor.
<p>Normal turnaround time is approximately 10 business days.
<p>
<p>
<p>Download Photo Duplication Form here.
<p>
<p>
<p>SEND US AN EMAIL
<p>
<p>Mon, Oct 30 10:00AM to 8:00PM
<p>Tue, Oct 31 10:00AM to 8:00PM
<p>Wed, Nov 01 10:00AM to 8:00PM
<p>Thu, Nov 02 Closed
<p>Fri, Nov 03 10:00AM to 5:00PM
<p>Sat, Nov 04 10:00AM to 5:00PM
<p>Sun, Nov 05 Closed
<p>MAP
<p>Address
<p>717 Queen Street
<p>Alexandria
<p>Alexandria, VA 22314
<p>Tel: 703.746.1706
<p>Fax: 703.746.1708
<p>About The Branch
<p>Appointments encouraged but not required.
<p>
<p>Parking: No library parking lot. Street parking is available. A paid parking lot is available on the 100 block of North Alfred Street.
<p>
<p>Public Transit:
<p>
<p>Metrorail: Yellow and Blue lines at Braddock Road (1 mile) and King Street Stations (1.1 miles).
<p>Metrobus: 10A/B, 11C
<p>DASH Bus: 30, 31, Old Town Circulator
<p>King Street Trolley: King & Columbus
<p>For reasonable disability accommodation, contact jgregorio@alexlibraryva.org or call 703.746.1701 or TTY 703.746.1790.
<p>
<p>Last updated: July 2021

Northern Virginia
<p>Alexandria Library Special Collections
<p>717 Queen Street
<p>Alexandria, VA 22314
<p>7037461706
<p>
<p>About
<p>The Alexandria Library Local History/Special Collections houses many resources for those interested in Alexandria and Virginia history and genealogy and the Civil War.
<p>
<p>Major activities include generating online exhibits, collection guides and genealogy indexes. The collection's Civil War highlights include Virginia regimental histories, War of the Rebellion Official Record (the "OR"), which reproduces government documents dealing with the war, and information about Alexandria during the war. Holdings also include several collections of photographs that depict life in and around Alexandria from the time of the Civil War to the present, covering Alexandria people, events, houses and other well-known places.
<p>
<p>Monday: 1pm-9pm; Tuesday: 2pm-9pm; Wednesday: 10am-7pm; Friday: 10am-6pm; and the first Saturday of the month: 10am-5pm