The historic charm of American small towns
Alexandria is something of a suburb of Washington, D.C. It’s also the coziest place you’ll ever see. It’s a beautiful and quiet place for family walks and a measured, leisurely American life.
Alexandria is officially located in Virginia, about 10 km south of Washington, D.C., and it’s much older than the latter — the first English settlement appeared there in 1695. Trade routes passing through Alexandria carried tobacco.
In 1791, when Washington was founded, Alexandria was included in the new capital. In the 1850s, it was returned to the state of Virginia with the status of an independent city. Despite this, Alexandria is still perceived as part of Washington, D.C.
Fighting against the slave trade
Alexandria is a small and incredibly cozy town with a colorful past. And what’s especially pleasing — its colors have changed from dark to light over time. Alexandria has always played an important role in the country's history. Not always a positive one, but without it, modern America wouldn't exist. Once, Alexandria was one of the largest centers of the slave trade. Ships with black slaves arrived here, and from here, they spread to the plantations of Mississippi and New Orleans. However, during the Civil War, this land managed to cleanse itself of the shame of slave markets.
It was in Alexandria where the first military clashes occurred, as it was located practically at the junction of the northern and southern states. Almost immediately, the city was captured by the Northern army, which opposed slavery. Learning of this, black slaves from the south fled from their owners to the northerners, and primarily to Alexandria. There, they were offered shelter, work in hospitals and the army, as well as the status of a “runaway Negro,” which gave them the right not to return to their owners.
By the middle of the war, out of Alexandria’s 18,000 population, more than 10,000 were runaway slaves. Not all of them lived to see freedom, but this city gave hope and opportunities to those who had none. Additionally, Alexandria housed a huge number of hospitals, many of which were opened on a voluntary basis — almost all the wounded from the front lines were brought there.
What to see in Alexandria
- 01.Civil War Monuments and Market Square: Here, you can feel the atmosphere, understand how people lived at that time, see what the runaway slaves saw, and learn how America transformed from a slave-owning nation into a land of free citizens.
- 02.The Unique Architecture of Old Town Alexandria and the Nearby Marina: Some mansions, churches, and shops built in the 1700s have been preserved almost in their original form. Coziness literally saturates these buildings, each of which has seen more than we can ever imagine.
- 03.Torpedo Factory Art Center: This is a converted torpedo factory from World War I. Today, it houses art studios, a lecture hall, and exhibition and concert halls.
Useful information
There are many other small, incredibly interesting spots that appear one after another as you start walking around the city. Alexandria is a small, but beautiful town where it’s worth spending a weekend.
Most often, people get to Alexandria from Washington, D.C. If you plan to travel from there, there are many options — you can rent a car, take the DASH buses for $1.50, the ferry ($6-12), or the city trains. Historic center of Alexandria with cozy streets and old buildings.
If you plan to depart from another city, we recommend contacting us at American Butler — just write your question in the form below or get in touch in any way convenient for you.
We can also recommend the best tour routes, and help with guides and translators during your trip to America.
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