Continuity is a precious commodity for historians, who must find patterns to draw order from the chaos of human existence. It’s a job that keeps them busy digging in dusty archives or perhaps conducting a living-history interview now and then. But last week, history came barreling into to town and parked on the front lawn of the Carlyle House.
The same lawn that once served as a staging ground for British Gen. Edward Braddock’s failed campaign against the French at Fort Duquesne was once again commissioned for service. But this time it was not to launch a campaign; it was to end one. Making his last campaign stop in Alexandria, Sen. George Allen chose the Carlyle House as the location for his dramatic concession speech.
“He wanted something outdoors,” said Mary Ruth Coleman, administrator of the Carlyle House, while preparing for the Thursday afternoon event. “We got the call this morning about 9:30 a.m.”
Within an hour after she agreed to host the event, television cameras were already parked on the lawn facing the 18th-century house. Coleman said that she had to ask them to leave so scheduled maintenance could be performed on the sprinkler system, a necessity that could not be postponed. Once that was finished, she said, they began jockeying with each other for position — trying to find the right angle to fit Allen in a frame with a house that once hosted the largest delegation of colonial North American governors that had ever met until that time. Bob Madison, a docent at the house and a knowledgeable source of Alexandria history, said that he was excited that the house would be getting the national publicity.
“Nobody comes here this time of year anyway,” Madison said. “But maybe someone will see it on television and decide to come here to find out more about it.”
<b>THE CARLYLE HOUSE</b> was completed on Aug. 1, 1753 — making it one of the oldest houses in Old Town. Built by Scottish merchant John Carlyle and his first wife Sarah Fairfax, the house serves as a reminder of Alexandria’s prosperity and growth during the mid-18th century. Although it had fallen into decline during the 19th century, the house was restored in the 1970s during the statewide celebrations for the Bicentennial.
For those who work at the Carlyle House, bringing history to life is a serious challenge — one they meet with a series of special events, reenactments and tours. But Thursday’s event on the lawn brought the sweep of history into easy view as campaign aides mingled with museum docents. In the basement office, as the press conference was about to begin, museum volunteers with opposing political persuasions discussed the melodramatic demise of Allen’s reelection campaign. On one side, docent Jane Merritt said that it would have been fitting if the house hadn’t removed the mourning draperies on the house from the Halloween reenactment of Carlyle’s funeral.
“I think that would have been appropriate,” Merritt said. “I’m an Allen supporter, so I guess I’m kind of in mourning too.”
On the other side, docent Jamie Harding said that she opposed Allen in the campaign. But she didn’t want to gloat about the matter.
“I’m a Webb supporter, but I wish Allen all the best,” Harding said as Allen friends began to slap blue campaign stickers on each other outside. “I don’t think he’ll have any trouble finding something to do.”
<b>WHEN ALLEN</b> emerged from the Carlyle House’s front door, the network cameras went live. The senator’s friends, supporters, employees and campaign volunteers began to cheer wildly. “We love George” they began to chant in unison. “Susan, we love you,” one woman screamed as Susan Allen joined her husband. Sen. John Warner and his wife Jeanne also joined Allen, making the cameras pan back to get all four participants — a wide shot that featured John Carlye’s stone mansion in the distance.
“The people of Virginia, who I also call the owners of the government, they have spoken,” Allen told the crowd. “And I respect their decision.”