Afternoon Jaunt: Alexandria Black History Museum

The Alexandria Black History Museum is tucked into a residential part of Alexandria not far from both S. Patrick Street and S. Washington Street. Though small in square footage, it offers historical context, gallery and presentation space, and books and gifts to those hoping to learn more about African American history in the Old Town area, which is heavily tilted toward the history of white statesmen and merchants.

For me, the most interesting aspect of this museum is its being partially housed in the Robert H. Robinson Library, a one-room building originally constructed for Alexandria's black residents in response to a 1939 sit-in at the larger, segregated Alexandria Library. A short video at the museum shares more details on the history of this protest, led by Samuel W. Tucker, a 26-year-old lawyer. 

The former Robert H. Robinson Library is now part of the museum.

Inside the bright exhibit space are placards spanning the history of African American enslaved people, city residents, and community leaders in Alexandria. I learned that it was especially difficult for sites of import in the local black community to be preserved during an urban renewal phase of the 1960s and '70s that made it a struggle for any building or neighborhood to be saved for its historic significance alone.

The interior of the 1940 library is now an exhibit space.

The current special exhibit, "Before the Spirits are Swept Away: African American Historic Site Paintings by Sherry Z. Sanabria," features 20 of Sanabria's paintings of sites of conscience related to African American heritage. Her portraits are each of a specific place: a church, a school, a slave cabin. The emptiness and stillness of each building, along with Sanabria's use of light, invite contemplation, and the museum has placed information about each site next to its painted depiction.

Paintings from the series "Before the Spirits Are Swept Away."

Like any good museum, this one whets your appetite to learn more, and fortunately, the gift shop provides options. I bought three books, including one with further details on the historic sites in Sanabria's paintings, and took a few brochures on both guided and independent walking tours of black history in Old Town. Also, you can learn more on the museum's website through links to videos, interviews, teacher resources, and books.

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Afternoon Jaunt: The Weems-Botts Museum

This past Sunday, I found myself with a free afternoon and took inspiration for a historic spot to visit from a book on Virginia's haunted places. Although I'm not sure whether I believe in ghosts, the mysteries of the unseen make for fun October reading, and the book referred to several historic sites in Northern Virginia to which I had never been.

One of these was the Weems-Botts Museum. Not far off I-95 sits this remnant of the historic area of the once-busy port city of Dumfries. Opened as a museum in 1975 by the Historic Dumfries Virginia nonprofit, this home was built in sections, beginning in the 18th century, and is now a small museum and research library open several days a week to visitors.

The Weems-Botts Museum.

What makes this museum unusual is its arrangement by time period. Different sections of the house are arrayed in furniture and artifacts that represent different owners and eras. I really enjoyed this approach to telling the story of the property.

Those owners include:

• Parson Weems, first biographer of George Washington (and originator of the cherry tree story), who used the building as a bookshop in the Colonial period.
• Benjamin Botts, a lawyer who defended Aaron Burr at Burr's 1807 trial for treason  and who perished in the famous Richmond Theater Fire of 1811.
• The Merchant family, who inhabited the home for 99 years and are the focus of the rumors of hauntings attached to the museum.

The table set as if for a meeting in the original 18th-century portion of the house.

My tour guide was Karleen Kovalcik, who was extremely knowledgeable about the history of Dumfries and of the house. From her, I learned that Dumfries used to rival New York and Boston in its shipping trade, before erosion and the silting of Quantico Creek diminished the port and led to Dumfries becoming the smaller town it is today. She led me through all the different rooms, many of which have objects and papers you can pick up and examine. 

A small room in the back of the house also showcases Civil War artifacts and other period items, such as a striking example of a Victorian crazy quilt.

In addition, it was interesting to tour a smaller residence. So many historic sites are mansions, and seeing a middle-class building that served as a shop, a law office and a home over the past couple of centuries was unique in my experience.

While I was there, I noticed nothing paranormal, other than the overeager security beeps while I was in the Visitors Center—and Karleen mentioned that electronics often behave oddly in the annex. Those wishing for a spooky experience of the area should take the (outdoor) ghost walk tours offered by Historic Dumfries on Saturdays in October.

The museum also holds free children's days, a holiday open house, and other special events.