A Timeline of Alexandria History | A Brief History of Alexandria, Virginia

George Washington Portrait

Throughout his life, George Washington was intimately connected with Alexandria and its citizens. He sent his tobacco, wheat, and fish to Alexandria to be sold. He served as one of the trustees who governed Alexandria and as Alexandria's representative to the colonial Virginia legislature. His military campaigns against the French and Indians on the Virginia frontier were launched from Alexandria, and it was here that he took decisive steps that spurred his fellow colonists to fight for their freedom in the Revolutionary War. Washington worshiped at Christ Church and attended balls, plays, dances and other social events at Gadsby's and other Alexandria taverns.

Born on February 22, 1732 (February 11 on the old calendar) in Westmoreland County, Virginia, George Washington received little formal education as a youth. From 1748 to 1752 Washington helped to survey portions of Virginia for Lord Fairfax, including part of what is now Alexandria. In 1752 Washington inherited the Mount Vernon estate from his recently deceased half-brother Lawrence. The proximity of Mount Vernon afforded him the opportunity to be not only a trustee of Alexandria, but one of its premier citizens and a frequent visitor. His marriage in 1759 to widow Martha Dandridge Custis provided him with a family, as Washington later adopted Martha's two surviving children. By 1769 he had built a townhouse on Cameron Street, where he could spend the night on his visits to Alexandria. He also stayed with friends at various homes in Alexandria, and dined at Alexandria taverns.

A Brief Biography of George Washington

In 1775, with the forthcoming war for independence, the newly formed Continental Congress appointed Washington Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, based on his earlier experiences in the French and Indian War and as a Congressional delegate from Virginia.

Following the surrender of British Gen. Cornwallis at Yorktown and Washington's retirement from the military, he came home to Mount Vernon in 1783. Within four years, though, Washington returned to the national arena, as the newly elected President of the Constitutional Convention. This important meeting was called in 1787 to address the disorder and severe limitations of the Articles of Confederation and to draft a new constitution.

The adoption of the Constitution created the new post of President to serve as the chief of state and executive of the nation. Although reluctant to accept, Washington was sworn in as the first President of the United States in April of 1789. The most noted accomplishments within his two terms of service were the establishment of precedence for the Office of President, maintaining United States neutrality during a war between Britain and France, and strengthening the authority of the federal government.

Following publication of his Farewell Address in 1796, Washington returned to Mount Vernon for the remaining years of his life. Birthnight Balls were held in his honor at Gadsby's Tavern in 1797, 1798 and 1799. On December 14, 1799, George Washington died at Mount Vernon of complications from quinsy (a throat infection), attended in his final illness by three Alexandria physicians. Memorial services were held at the Presbyterian Meeting House on Fairfax Street. His memory has been celebrated at Gadsby's Tavern's Birthnight Balls throughout portions of the 19th and 20th centuries.

George Washington's Townhouse

While serving as President in Philadelphia, Washington continued to take a great interest in the running of his estate, and wrote detailed instructions to his manager Mr. Pearce. These letters included very detailed instructions for repairs to his Cameron Street townhouse and an adjacent house, including painting, papering, fencing, and paving the cellar.

The work essentially necessary to be done by my carpenters, and which presses most - is - compleating the New Barn at Dogue Run, and the sheds there for horses &ct--building the house for Crow--Repairing my house in Alexandria for Mrs. Fanny Washington--which must be done before the first of May...

December 17, 1793

.--Inclosing the lot in time is not quite so material; but let it be done in a very substantial manner whenever it is set about;--with such Posts and Rails (close enought together) as will compleatly secure a garden, whenever it is converted to that use, and not easily pulled down for firing.... If large and stout Cedar Posts, and chestnut or Cyprus Rails could be bought reasonable it would be better than to get them of Oak, from my own land...

February 16, 1794

...and to do the three sides of the lot with White Oak Posts and Rails, well executed. Do not let the Posts be too far distant from each other--when this is the case the rails are apt to warp, and the fence is weakened by it.

March 9, 1794

When you go next to Alexandria take the exact dimensions of the rooms in my house at that place, that I may send paper for them.--Give the length and breadth of each--and height from the wash board to the Chair board (as they are commonly called) and thence to the Cornish, if any, with the doors and windows, and size of them, in each room or passage.--If there is occasion to make good the plastering in any of the rooms, no white wash is to be put thereon; because it is improper for paper.--Thomas Davis must paint the outsides of both houses there; the lower part of a stone colour, and the roofs red.--The Inside of the dwelling house is also to be painted.--The whole in short is to be put in very good, and decent condition.--If the planking between the two houses is plained, this also should be painted.

April 6, 1794

Mrs. Fanny Washington writes that the Cellar of my House in Alexandria wants paving, and to be drained, as it is very damp. Let the first be done at any rate, and the latter if it shall appear necessary, as I presume it is.--You had better buy smooth, and well burnt bricks in Town than to carry them up.

June 8, 1794

George Washington Bicentennial Links

Part of a nationwide celebration in honor of our first President, these pages were created in 1999 to commemorate the anniversary of George Washington's death.

George Washington's Hometown | Following in Washington's Footsteps | Commemorating George Washington
Celebrating at the Birthnight Ball | George Washington and Alexandria History