Carlyle House

Carlyle House is a historic mansion in Alexandria, Virginia, built by a merchant John Carlyle in 1751–53. It is situated in the city’s Historic Alexandria on North Fairfax Street between Cameron and King Street.

When the lots for the new town of Alexandria were auctioned in July 1749, Carlyle purchased lots 41 and 42 along the Potomac River.

He began construction on the house in 1751 and moving in after completion in 1753.

Carlyle was married to Sarah Fairfax, cousin to Lord Fairfax.

In 1755, the house was the initial headquarters for Major-General Edward Braddock in the Colony of Virginia during the French and Indian War. The Congress of Alexandria met in the dining room of the house.

clothes of the time period.

Notice the floors? It’s actually fabric which was painted and coated with Linseed oil.

The house will transport you into the past. Adults admission is $5 and the tour takes about 30 minutes.

There is also a garden in the back of the house

George Washington’s Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon was the plantation of George Washington, the first President of the United States, and his wife, Martha. The estate is situated on the banks of the Potomac River in Fairfax County, Virginia, near Alexandria, across from Prince George’s County, Maryland.

Tickets are $20 for adults but well worth seeing a house built in1734 by Washington’s father. George Washington expanded the house twice, once in the late 1750s and again in the 1770s.

There are also gardens along with buildings to visit.

Make sure you save time for the museum and gift shop where you can view Washington’s dentures (and no they aren’t made from wood)