February 25th, 2009:
The Lyceum
Lyceum museum and arts center
The city of Alexandria in Virginia has a rich history that spans over a century and is home to The Lyceum. The Lyceum was built in 1839 and was founded by a group of gentlemen who formed with the Alexandria Library Company. Over the years the Lyceum has served many purposes.
Before the Civil War, the Lyceum was a cultural center in Alexandria but this was ended when the war came to the city. During the Civil War, the Lyceum was a hospital by the Union Army. It has been an office building, a private home, and was the nation’s first Bicentennial Center. In 1985 The Lyceum became Alexandria’s Historical Museum.
Now The Lyceum can be rented for many purposes such as concerts, lectures, school programs, volunteer functions that the whole community can participate in, and also weddings.
The outside of the building is in the Greek style form of architecture which gives The Lyceum a distinct look. For tourists who plan to visit The Lyceum there are many historical memorabilia items which include the Civil War, documents, antique silver, photographs, furniture, and 19th century stoneware. The Lyceum was intended to be the cultural center of Alexandria and now it has returned to its former prominence.
The Lyceum is a very charming place and anyone who would like to visit will not be disappointed. The Lyceum is at the heart of Old Town Alexandria and is a charming and wonderful place to live.
George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria
Many think the George Washington Masonic Memorial is one of the most important memorials we have in the United States of America. Locals call the monument the Masonic Temple or more rarely the Alexandria Lighthouse. The building is located near the King St. Metro.
George Washington was more then just the first president of the United States, he was a man who promoted righteous virtues, a willing nature to fight for his beliefs. As one of our founding fathers, George Washington built this country with his vision of what America should
strive to be.
The George Washington Masonic Memorial is a tribute to George Washington the man and the Mason. Thus, the building reflects the democratic principles of George Washington by referencing the architectural style of ancient Rome and Greece. The edifice appears as a lighthouse, mimicking the architecture of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria. And high atop Shooter’s Hill it dominates the Alexandria Skyline. But inside the building are many interesting rooms and site.
George Washington National Masonic Memorial
There are nine different floors in the edifice, each offering something different to the public. The first floor is the Grand Masonic Hall which can be used for lectures and meetings. The entire tower is supported by 8 granite Doric columns.
Also located on the first floor is the Shrine Exhibit. The Shriners of North America is an international fraternity which supports the Shriners Hospital for Children. The Shriners core beliefs are brotherly love, truth, relief, and fun. With over 375,000 members world wide, the Shriners have made a tremendous positive impact in children’s lives for many years. The Shrine exhibit dates back to 1876 and depicts
Presidents of the Shrine fraternity, 191 Shrine Temples, and one wall in the room symbolizes the pilgrimage to Mecca and the Shriners striving for perfection.
The “Shriners Hospital for Children” Room commemorates the work of Shriners every where in support of the Shriner Hospital for Children. In this room, there is a large white statue of a Shriner holding a little girl in the left arm and holding her crutches in the right hand. This room also houses an animated model of the Shriner parade.
The Independent Square Room, also on the first floor, contains a replica of Independence Square which is located at the Philadelphia Shriners Hospital.
The building’s first floor is home to the George Washington Memorial Theater. This grand theater provides a wonderful setting for cultural events and still includes and original painting of George Washington painted by Hattie Elizabeth Burdette over looking the center of the stage.
Among other things, the second floor is home to the Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22 and home of Andrew Jackson Lodge No. 120. (I’ve actually visited both of these lodges as I am a member of the nearby Pride of Fairfax No. 298.) The Replica Lodge Room is a replica in every detail from 1802, paintings, furniture, and so on. There is also Washington’s bedchamber
clock which is set at the time 10:20pm, Dec. 14th, 1799, the precise time of his death.
On the second floor, the Memorial Hall features a large bronze statue of Washington, a mural on the north wall shows George Washington and his troops at Christ Church in Philadelphia. On the south wall is another mural dating to September 18th 1793, laying the cornerstone of
the United States Capitol.
The third floor has the Grotto Exhibit—a social organization of Master Masons. The initials M.O.V.P.E.R. (The Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm) are displayed over a single chair.
The fourth floor has the George Washington Museum which displays, paintings, relics, prints, and historical documents. Another impressive statue of Washington towers in the museum.
The fifth floor takes us to the Royal Arch Exhibit which includes a painting by Allyn Cox of ruins of Kings Solomon’s Temple. Also, a reproduction of the Ark of the Covenant.
The higher the floor, the smaller the floor, so the higher floors
contain less attractions. This is very noticeable on the highest
floors. On the sixth floor is the Memorial Library, available only by appointment. It contains over 20,000 volumes Masonic works.
The seventh floor which contains several murals depicting Masonic lessons based on the Old Testament. (A detail from one of these murals is shown here.) The eigth floor is home to the Knights Templar Chapel which allows people to reflect and pray.
The ninth floor has the Tall Cedars Exhibit. This includes a model of King Solomon’s throne and temple. This level overlooks the city of Old Town Alexandria in a spectacular fashion. The observation deck provides a 360 degree view of Alexandria.
View of Del Ray
The George Washington Masonic Memorial provides the public with a rich history of George Washington, and gives a window to view his life through. Anyone who ever plans to visit Alexandria must see this interesting memorial.
The Carlyle District and homes in Old Town enjoy spectacular views of the Memorial as do some of the residences at Jefferson Manor, the Midtowns, Hunting Creek Club, the Huntington Club and Montebello. For help finding a home in this area at any price, contact Will Nesbitt of Condo Alexandria.
Homes for Sale in Alexandria VA
Showing properties
1 - 5 of 500+.
See more Alexandria .
(all data current as of
5/17/2012)
-
$989,000 : 1212 Shenandoah Rd, Alexandria4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths
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$234,000 : 7507k Snowpea Ct #190, Alexandria2 beds, 2 full baths
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$400,000 : 7623 Audubon Meadow Way, Alexandria3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
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$227,000 : 1808 Abingdon Dr W #202, Alexandria1 bed, 1 full bath
-
$579,000 : 400 Second St, Alexandria3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.
James M. Duncan Library
James M. Duncan (1897-1967), was born in Alexandria. He was a long term serving Alexandria City Councilman and member of the Library Board. After his death in 1967 it was proposed that the Del Ray branch be
named in Duncan’s honor. The James M. Duncan Library continues to serve the Del Ray community of Alexandria. Newly renovations have expanded the library to 5,000 square feet, naturally adult reading area, and new childrens’ reading section.
The James M. Duncan Library was the first building in Alexandria with a “green”, or ecologically friendly, roof. It acts as an insulator by reducing the indoor temperature during the summer season. Also by using vegetation and soil it reduces rain water to sewer run off and naturally filters the water.
Every summer James M. Duncan branch offers children fun, exciting, and educational programs with a variety of functions. The SummerQuest programs is for ages 6-12. SummerQuest Junior is for ages infants to
five years old.
Hours: Monday-Thursday 9am-9pm
Friday 9am-6pm
Saturday 9am-5pm
Closed Sundays
James M. Duncan Branch Library
2501 Commonwealth Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22301
(703) 838-4566
Del Ray and Rosemont are a wonderful communities and there are many choices here. Please contact Will Nesbitt at 703 765 0300 if you are
George Washington’s Grist Mill
A gristmill is a mill for the grinding of grain, specifically a customer’s own grain. Grist mills were a common site in colonial America, but there are few such mills still in operation today. Pierce Mill a Rock Creek Park in DC is open to the public but is non-operational. The mill needs repairs.
But George Washington’s Gristmill in Mount Vernon Virginia is fully operational and is a sight to see! The mill operates every day from April until the end of October. The gristmill is three miles south of Mount Vernon on the site of Washington’s original mill and distillery. Combination tickets which include a visit to the Gristmill are sold at Mount Vernon’s Main Gate.
George Washington inherited Mount Vernon in 1754 and the mill was part of the estate. At that time, the gristmill was a “custom mill”, meaning that grain was ground here for private usage. Grain was not ground for sale. Rather, neighbors and residents of Mount Vernon used the mill almost exclusively.
Washington decided to convert the custom mill into a “merchant mill”. A merchant mill ground flour and cornmeal as a service for profit. In 1771, Washington added a second pair of grinding stones. Washington’s Gristmill served Mount Vernon but it also ground grain for sale up and down the East Coast of America and as far away as Portugal and the West Indies. The current reconstruction depicts the operation of the mill during this period.
As in Washington’s day, the mill was powered by a stream of water from Dogue Run. In those days, a wharf at the point where Dogue Run enters the Potomac served to bring grain to and from the mill.
Mount Vernon is a wonderful community about 5 miles from Washington DC. From Fort Hunt to Fort Belvoir there are manor homes, houses, townhouses and condos to fit any budget or style. Check out Fort Hunt Info for a little more information about this area.
Contact Will Nesbitt for a local expert who cares about your goals and real estate needs. 
What is the MLS?
Most people have heard of the MLS, but many are unclear as to exactly what it is. MLS stands for Multiple Listing Service.
The Multiple Listing Service is probably your best tool as a home buyer and your best friend as a home seller.
But what exactly is the MLS?
The MLS is a database.
In the old days MLS databasing was done on filing cards and notebooks. Today that information is aggregated on computers. MLS data includes information about what properties are for sale and certain details about those properties such as condo amenities, number of bedrooms, garage parking. Almost everything you’d want to know about a given property is catalogued on the MLS.
Much of that information is public, such as the selling price and the address. Some of that information is private, or reserved for those who have professional access to the MLS. For example, real estate agents know which properties are vacant. The general public doesn’t need to know this information as sharing that information might pose a risk to some property owners.
Yes, the MLS is a database, but it is also something more.
The MLS is a marketplace.
The collection of information on the MLS serves as the primary repository of details about real estate for sale or rent. MLS data is the foundation for most websites, and it is the primary reference point for most real estate professionals. As properties are contracted and sold, the data is constantly updated. Today, most agents and websites have data that is practically up to the minute.
The MLS is not free, but it’s free to you the consumer. Agents and brokers pay fees for access to MLS data and to fees to maintain and improve the system. Professionals like me make that data available to the public for the purpose of helping buyers and sellers connect.
The MLS is a tool.
Like all tools, the MLS gives the best results when wielded by a professional. (More on this below.)
The MLS is for sellers.
Home sellers want access to the maximum number of buyers, in the most cost effective manner. When compared to the expense of newspaper, radio or other ads, the MLS is incredibly targeted and very affordable. The professionals who use this data will only bring qualified buyers shopping for property in your price range. It doesn’t get better than that.
When a seller chooses a real estate agent with MLS access, the seller’s sales force is equal to the number of agents who are using the MLS. The larger pool of prospective buyers the greater the chance that the property will sell quickly and for a fair market value.
The MLS is for buyers.
The MLS makes home shopping extremely convenient. MLS data does not cost the buyers a dime. Thanks to the internet and sites like Condo1Alexandria.com you can search MLS listings 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Many consumers find that a “self-search” through the MLS is a good starting point for finding the right home.
A real estate agent is for you.
In the old days consumers needed an agent to help them look through the data. These days its easy for the public to access most of the data available. So, you can do it yourself.
But if you try to find a home on your own or you try to sell without an agent, you’ll quickly discover why most people choose to employ a professional. It’s true: you could probably cut your own hair, change your oil filter and fill your own cavities. But why would you?
These days the problem isn’t that the data is hard to find. The data is often up to the minute. These days, the problem is that there is too much data. Buyers are overwhelmed with choices. Sellers are drowned out by the noise of available information.
That’s one reason why when it’s time to get serious about buying or selling, a real estate professional can help guide you through the process.
Most agents know the tricks and secrets of the MLS.
As an agent, I have access to more complicated tools and search processes not available to the consumer. I work with the MLS every single day. The MLS is one of the most important tools in my toolbox. Once you have an idea of what you want to accomplish, I can employ the MLS in ways that you haven’t imagined.
Tips for Home Sellers
When it’s time to sell your house, townhouse or condo here are a few simple tips for realtors and home sellers alike.
Turn on your heart light.
Turn on the excitement by turning on all your lights – both inside
and outside. Whether you are showing your home in the evening or in the
day, lights add color and warmth. Prospective owners feel welcome in
spaces that are bright and airy.
Don’t crowd your buyers.
Potential buyers often feel like intruders when they enter your home. Rather than giving your house the attention it deserves, prospects are likely to hurry through. When the homeowners are present people often feel uncomfortable looking in closets and laundry rooms an other private areas. Additionally, rooms filled with people give the
impression that the space is small.
I love pets … but not your pet.
Dogs and cats are great companions, but not when you’re showing your
home. Pets have a talent for getting underfoot. Some prospects are
allergic to some animals. Sadly, many people love their pets, but they
don’t like your pet. It’s in your best interest to keep the animals
outside or out of the way of potential buyers.
Don’t create distractions
Rock-and-roll will never die. But it might kill a real estate
transaction. Most of us love music, but not all of us love your music.
When it’s time to show your home, it’s time to turn down the music.
Turn off your TV because the last thing you want is for one of your
buyers to watch the game while his wife falls in love with your house.
Give a wide berth.
A smiling seller is a welcome site, but a pesky seller will chase a
home buyer away. It’s important to be friendly but avoid being
conversational. Anything you say could be construed to imply a warranty
or could cost you thousands in negotiations.
Put things in perspective.
Some buyers will point out shortcomings or flaws in the property.
It’s best not to respond orally to these challenges. Utterances like
these are seldom personal in this context. So, never take offense.
Understand that these statements might be an indication of the buyer’s
ignorance, but sometimes the buyer attempting to frame negotiations
with these statements. To engage the comment is to agree with the
premise of the utterance.
Watergate at Landmark
The Watergate at Landmark is your sanctuary from the world. The campus of Watergate is safe behind attended gatehouses and completely fenced in. Twenty four hour patrols and closed-circuit television further secure this self-contained oasis of luxury in the West End of
Alexandria.
The Watergate at Landmark offers several models, including:
- one-bedroom with one bathroom
- two-bedroom with one full bathroom and 1/2 bathroom
- two-bedroom with two full bathrooms
- three-bedroom with two full bathrooms and one half bathroom.
Tidewater
Tidewater
The lowest land relative to sea level is called the Tidewater, or occasionally the Coastal Plain. Which name you prefer might say more about you than the region. Traditionalists and most locals call the
area Tidewater, but geologists and others believe the name Coastal Plain makes more sense because “tide water” is what surrounds the Coastal Plain.
The water of Tidewater, its rivers and creeks, are tidal, connected
to the Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay other saltwater bays. Thus,
Tidewater is bounded on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and on the west
by the Fall Line.
Because of this proximity to navigable waters, the Tidewater region
was the first region of Virginia to be settled by Europeans. Today, it
is home to many of the oldest English settlements in North America,
such as Jamestown. Many towns founded in the colonial era such as Williamsburg (the Old Dominion’s first capital), Hampton, Yorktown, Alexandria and other thriving cities occupy the sandy soil of the Tidewater.
Major ports such as Norfolk or Newport News are found in the region as are historical port cities such as the tobacco ports of Alexandria and Yorktown are found on the Coastal Plain. The British surrender at Yorktown was considered a tipping point in the Revolutionary War.
The dominant geographical feature of the region is the Chesapeake Bay. The soils here are typically sandy, especially near waterways. The land is generally fertile, flat and the water table is not far from the surface.
Eastern Shore
The Eastern Shore of Virginia is that part of the Tidewater Region
which is situated on the Delmarva Peninsula between the Chesapeake Bay
and the Atlantic Ocean. Compared to the rest of Virginia, the region is
fairly undeveloped. This is due to the remoteness imposed by the bay
and ocean, but many fishers, farmers and chicken farms are found here.
In the south, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel connects the Eastern Shore to Virginia Beach. In the north, the Maryland’s scenic Bay Bridge is one of the primary connections to the Eastern Shore.
Tidewater
Tidewater
The lowest land relative to sea level is called the Tidewater, or occasionally the Coastal Plain. Which name you prefer might say more about you than the region. Traditionalists and most locals call the
area Tidewater, but geologists and others believe the name Coastal Plain makes more sense because “tide water” is what surrounds the Coastal Plain.
The water of Tidewater, its rivers and creeks, are tidal, connected
to the Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay other saltwater bays. Thus,
Tidewater is bounded on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and on the west
by the Fall Line.
Because of this proximity to navigable waters, the Tidewater region
was the first region of Virginia to be settled by Europeans. Today, it
is home to many of the oldest English settlements in North America,
such as Jamestown. Many towns founded in the colonial era such as Williamsburg (the Old Dominion’s first capital), Hampton, Yorktown, Alexandria and other thriving cities occupy the sandy soil of the Tidewater.
Major ports such as Norfolk or Newport News are found in the region as are historical port cities such as the tobacco ports of Alexandria and Yorktown are found on the Coastal Plain. The British surrender at Yorktown was considered a tipping point in the Revolutionary War.
The dominant geographical feature of the region is the Chesapeake
Bay. The soils here are typically sandy, especially near waterways.
The land is generally fertile, flat and the water table is not far from
the surface.
Eastern Shore
The Eastern Shore of Virginia is that part of the Tidewater Region which is situated on the Delmarva Peninsula between the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Compared to the rest of Virginia, the region is fairly undeveloped. This is due to the remoteness imposed by the bay and ocean, but many fishers, farmers and chicken farms are found here. In the south, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel connects the Eastern Shore to Virginia Beach. In the north, the Maryland’s scenic Bay Bridge is one of the primary connections to the Eastern Shore.
