What's in a Name: Confederate Street Re-naming in Alexandria, Virginia

What's in a Name: Confederate Street Re-naming in Alexandria, Virginia

Streets named after Confederate generals and others—overdue for a change.

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Freedom House Re-Opens in Alexandria

Freedom House Re-Opens in Alexandria

A moving ceremony to formally open a moving place.

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Black History Month Beginnings

Black History Month Beginnings

Imagining the creativity and scholarship coming out of Carter Woodson’s “home office” on Ninth Street NW in Washington, DC.

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Vaccines!

Vaccines!

As I get vaccinated for COVID-19, I remembered that a Civil War smallpox vaccination campaign had its hiccups.

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Friends of Alexandria Archaeology

Friends of Alexandria Archaeology

Alexandria Archaeology held a reception and model unveiling on Saturday night.

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Harriet Tubman Photo in the Public Domain

Harriet Tubman Photo in the Public Domain

This wonderful photograph of Harriet Tubman, re-discovered last year, is now conserved and in the public domain!

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"Dealer in Slaves" to Freedom House

"Dealer in Slaves" to Freedom House

There's been a lot in the paper lately about Freedom House in Alexandria. Here's some background.

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Honoring Anna Lynch

Honoring Anna Lynch

Anna Lynch (1925-2017), much loved and respected, honored at the Lyceum on September 23.

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Update--Appomattox Statue, Then and Now

Update--Appomattox Statue, Then and Now

The Confederate veteran has stood on Alexandria's main north-south thoroughfare for more than 100 years. What should happen to it now?

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Solar Eclipse 1860

Solar Eclipse 1860

Julia Wilbur found an eclipse had a "baleful" effect on her mood.

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Tough Choices for a New Monument

Tough Choices for a New Monument

How to choose 8 people to recognize at the base of a monument to honor emancipation and freedom? With difficulty.

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Bon Voyage to the Ship (for now)

Bon Voyage to the Ship (for now)

More than 200 pieces of an 18th century ship, each triple-wrapped and on its way to Texas A&M for conservation. A good event in Alexandria, the day after the shootings at Simpson Field.

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A Wonderful Harriet Tubman Discovery

A Wonderful Harriet Tubman Discovery

Harriet Tubman in her mid-40s--a newly discovered photo that is a real gem!

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Abolitionist "Social Media"

Abolitionist "Social Media"

Well before Facebook and Twitter, 19th-century activists still connected and mobilized.

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What would Julia think?

What would Julia think?

No protest marches in Julia Wilbur's life, but she was there in spirit.

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September 24, 2016 & 1866, Washington, DC

September 24, 2016 & 1866, Washington, DC

Washington, DC, September 24, 2016--opening of African American History Museum and Library of Congress Book Festival. September 24, 1866--visits to Andrew Johnson and a cure for a "secret disease"

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Female Soldiers of the Civil War

Female Soldiers of the Civil War

A ceremony at Arlington Cemetery honored female soldiers of the Civil War--women who hid their identities and fought side-by-side with men.

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Appomattox Statue, Then and Now

Appomattox Statue, Then and Now

The Confederate veteran has stood on Alexandria's main north-south thoroughfare for more than 100 years. Once grass grew between the cobblestones at his feet.

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Save Our Ship!

Early port-improvers used whatever materials they had available--including pieces of "trash" ships, a recent find a few months ago at 220 South Union Street, future site of the Hotel Indigo.

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Speak, Sister!

Music and storytelling were a huge part of the 19th century...

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