Arch Hall condominiums are named for a nearby historical structure which in 1950 and 1951 was painstakingly disassembled and then fifteen miles south. The original Arch Hall now sits on a 140-acre site overlooking Belmont Bay on the Mason Neck peninsula, Fairfax County. Today's Arch Hall condos are sited seven blocks south of the church George Washington's family attended and just inside what were once the original boundaries of the District of Columbia in Old Town Alexandria. The brick walled courtyards have the feel of Old Town with modern conveniences inside the home.

Located in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, The Athenaeum is home to the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association (NVFAA). Constructed between 1851-52, the Athenaeum is a Greek revival building with a rich history. The building is named after the Greek Goddess of wisdom, Athena. Over the years The Athenaeum has taken many names and was used for many functions. Together with the Lyceum, the Athenaeum is a foundation of Alexandria's Greek neo-classic buildings.

The building has a long history of use in Alexandria. Before the Civil War, Robert E. Lee banked here, when the building was known as the Bank of the Old Dominion. During the Civil War it was occupied by Federals and home to the Union Army Commissary Headquarters. In 1905, the bank was converted from commercial to industrial purposes. The building was used by the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Shop as a place to grind talcum into powder. In 1925, the talcum factory became the Free Methodist Church.

NVFAA purchased the Athenaeum in 1964. Since then, restorations have taken place using the funds from the members of the NVFAA and the National Park Service Save America's Treasure Grant.

Recent art exhibits include Song For Europe by Mark Cameron Boyd is participatory installation using his signature "text bisection" process on a series of chalkboards to address four different languages from European origin such as Greek, Latin, French, and English. This exhibit is on display from August 16th - September 21st.

Music is another art form featured at The Athenaeum. Up and coming:

• September 11th - Tom Dews with Patricia Cooper.
• October 9th - Lori Grigsby & Sandy Moyer with Patricia Cooper
  
• December 11th - BumpKin Pie

Yoga classes are available at The Athenaeum. Instructor Betsy Huffman welcomes drop-ins. Class fees are only $18 per class. Classes are Mondays 11:30am

The Athenaeum is available for rentals for weddings, receptions, parties, business meetings and seminars.

Gallery Hours:
Thursday, Friday, & Sunday: Noon-4pm
Saturday 1pm-4pm

The Athenaeum
201 Prince St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 548-0035