George Washington

Alexandria is justly proud of being "George Washington's Home Town." Washington's involvement with Alexandria began before the town's founding in 1749 and continued throughout his life. Washington made early maps of Alexandria in 1748 and 1749, represented Alexandria in the House of Burgesses prior to the Revolution, and was a trustee of Alexandria and a Justice of the Peace. He was a frequent visitor from his home at Mount Vernon. Alexandria's homes and taverns were the site of many meetings and social gatherings attended by Washington. In the 1760s, Washington built a townhouse on Cameron Street to avoid the hazards of traveling back and forth from Alexandria to Mount Vernon, eight miles distant.

Alexandrians delighted in Washington's close association with the town, and mourned his death in 1799. Today, Alexandria commemorates Washington and his association with Alexandria with the largest George Washington Birthday Parade in the country, with the Birthnight Ball at Gadsby's Tavern Museum, and with the many places in town where visitors can follow in Washington's footsteps.

ChristChurch, Alexandria

Create your own walking and driving tours to follow in Washington's footsteps. Here are just some of the many Alexandria sites which Washington visited in his day.

Parade in Alexandria

Washington was revered by Alexandrians in his day and greatly mourned at his death. Join in a 200 year old tradition of commemorating George Washington at these sites and events.

Birthnight Ball

Visit Gadsby's Tavern where Washington joined in the celebrations of his own Birthnight Ball. Tour the tavern, join an 18th century dance class, or wear your colonial dress to dance at the Birthnight Ball which is still held each February.

George Washington Portrait

Learn more about George Washington and Alexandria, and read excerpts from his letters concerning repairs to his Alexandria townhouse.

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