Spring, 1755: Major General Edward Braddock, Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty’s Forces in North America convened a meeting of five colonial governors at John Carlyle’s Alexandria home. Braddock’s objective was to secure funding for his upcoming campaign against the French. Carlyle called this gathering “the Grandest Congress … ever known on the Continent.” Over two hundred and fifty years later, as part of the museum’s Day in the Life series of programs visitors to the Carlyle House will experience the “Grandest Congress” firsthand.
The historic Carlyle House was completed in 1753 by Scottish merchant John Carlyle for his bride, Sarah Fairfax of Belvoir, a member of one of the most prestigious families in colonial Virginia. Their home quickly became a center of social and political life in Alexandria and gained a foothold in history when British general, Edward Braddock made the mansion his headquarters in 1755.
On the National Register of Historic Places, Carlyle House is architecturally unique in Alexandria as the only stone, 18th-century Palladian-style house.
On the National Register of Historic Places, Carlyle House is architecturally unique in Alexandria as the only stone, 18th-century Palladian-style house. The Carlyle House is a property of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, located at 121 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.
There will be a French & Indian War Re-enactment at the Carlysle House, Sunday, April 15 - Noon to 4 p.m.
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Sunday: 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Admission: $4 Adults; $2 Children (11-17); Children 10 and under are free