Facts You Should Know About The Athenaeum In Alexandria

The Athenaeum was once the Bank of the Old Dominion now turned art gallery. Over the years the building has been home to various businesses before being purchased by the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association in 1964 and turned into its current state, an art gallery. The Neo-Classical Greek Revival building located at 201 Prince Street Alexandria was built in 1851 and was once used as Commissionary Headquarters for the Union Army during the Civil War. Continue reading

Why You Should Visit Torpedo Factory Art Center

Entrance to Torpedo Factory Art Center
The Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town Alexandria
Torpedo Factory Art Center located at 105 N Union St Alexandria was founded in 1974 in an old munitions plant. The Alexandria Landmark is home to the nation's largest collection of working artists' open studios. The Center is is located right on the Potomac Riverfront and it attracts approximately 500,000 visitors annually. The Torpedo Factory Art Center was once a torpedo factory which started operations on the day of the end of Wold War I. The building was used to manufacture and and maintain torpedoes for the next five (5) years. Over time more buildings were added to the complex. In June 1945 when peace was declared operations at the torpedo factory came to a halt and the building was bought by the City of Alexandria in 1969. Work began on the building in May 1974 and in September 1974 the Torpedo Factory Art Center was open to the public. Continue reading