Petersburg High School - Missile Yearbook (Petersburg, VA)

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On to Alexandria By Jacqueline Phillips i ty 4, T LAST the day for the much anticipated trip to Alexandria had .FAR come, and leaving Petersburg promptly at six-thirty the Missile at Staff arrived three hours later at the Chamber of Commerce. Se- curing a guide, we started off on a most inspiring tour of the home town of many of the earlier statesmen of the United States. To a casual visitor driving through Alexandria, it appears to be just another city with plain, everyday stores and comfortable, substantial homes. A stream of traffic pours daily through Alexandria to sightsee in Washington, never realizing the historic interest of this seemingly com- monplace city, whose sparkle is dimmed by the nearness of the nation's capital. When he who was later to become the first president of the United States was a youthful surveyor, the town of Alexandria was a social and business center. It was here that the ilowering youth of the land, the Lees, the Fendalls, the Carlyles, the Washingtons, and many others of this period, would make frequent visits to the Well-known Gadsby's Tavern. Old Christ Church, built 1773, well preserved and sacred still to the memory of George Washington, Robert E. Lee, and other devout men of that time, was among the first places we visited. Upon visiting the home of Edmund Jennings Lee, Robert E. Lee, the Lloyd House, the Fendall House, the Fairfax House, and numerous others, one is impressed with the grandeur of an eventful past: great men, grand ladies, many servants, and adventures of pioneers. The Alexandria Academy stands just as it was in the days of George- Washington, who founded it in 1785, and it was the first free school in Northern Virginia. Lee received his primary education in this building. Having tramped over Oronoco Street and through North Washing- ton and Wolfe Streets, we found many things remaining to be seen, but the Waning enthusiasm of the party bespoke the need of rest and food. Stopping at the George Mason Hotel, modern in every detail, we had lunch with merriment, jokes, and much laughter. One hour's rest there, and the pilgrimage was resumed with renewed vigor. The Old Presbyterian Meeting House was founded principally by T H E M I S S I L E Page twenty-Seven

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Scotch Presbyterians and was completed by John Carlyle in 1774. Al- though it is not used for worship at the present time, it was recently found to be one of the most interesting historical places in Alexandria when it was discovered that beneath the crumbling tombstones lay the remains of many prominent and distinguished citizens of A1exandria's early days. A historical survey of this city would be incomplete without visiting the Alexandria Masonic Lodge Building, most Ancient and Honorable Society of Freemasonsf' whose first Worshipful Master was George Wash- ington. This, however, is a reconstructed replica of the original building and contains a museum of priceless heirlooms, among which are many personal relics, formerly belonging to Washington. His masonic apron and sash, white wedding gloves, spurs, pearl handled knife, pocket com- pass and sundial, library chair, presented and used by him while Worship- ful Master of this lodge, his bedchamber clock still pointing out the mo- ment of his death, and many other things may be seen. There is also the little silver, ivory-handled trowel which Washington used in laying the Cornerstone of the National Capitol 117931, the Smithsonian Institute, and Washington National Monument. It has been used recently by Presi- dents Roosevelt and Coolidge. Many valuable paintings adorn the walls, among which are the portraits of Doctor Elisha Cullen Dick, Lawrence Washington, Doctor James Craik, Edmund Randolph, Lord Fairfax, the Marquis de Lafayette, and others. The most valuable of these is the por- trait of President Washington, painted by William Williams a few months before Washington's death. The Metropolitan Art Museum has placed a standing order for the purchase of this famous painting. There are many other things of interest concerning which time and space forbade mention here. Dismissing historical buildings with a cas- ual glance or remark, we hurriedly passed on to the mecca of every Virginian, Mount Vernon, Which, majestically overlooking the Potomac since 1674, still stands, a monument to Virginia's wealth and aristocracy. The grandeur and peaceful beauty of this estate beggars description. Tired, but happy, We Wended our Way homeward. Wiser? Well, we think so. Page twenty-eight T H E M I S S I L E