Readers, Welcome to my blog (formerly Birds, Blooms, Books, etc). I'm entering a new decade taking on the challenge of moving from Maryland after living there 46 years and learning about my new home here in New England in the Live Free or Die state - New Hampshire. Join me as a write this new chapter of my life.

Saturday, July 15, 2017

Carlyle House

Friday, July 14th Dan and I took a break from the regular day routines to be tourists in Alexandria, Va.

Here is one of the spots we stopped by to see.

Carlyle House Historic Park at 121 North Fairfax Street.

The museum here is owned by Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority


John Carlyle, a second son, made his living as a merchant.  He came to the colonies and did very well, marrying Sarah Fairfax who came from a very wealthy family.  The house was completed in 1753 on the banks of the Potomac River.  Now its several blocks from the river's edge.



The main bedroom is on the first floor. No flash photography was allowed so I apologize for some of the dark pictures.


The dining room of the house which hosted British General Edward Braddock in 1755 as he prepared for early campaigns in the French and Indian War.




The small parlor had this spinet, a plucked instrument predecessor to the piano.



In the mid 1800s in the front yard of the Carlyle House a hotel was built which then served as a hospital in the Civil War. 


Two of the upstairs bedrooms were set up as though they were in that Civil War time period.



Another bedroom showed the restoration work.


The upstairs hall featured re-creations of Sarah Fairfax's wedding dress (left) and how it was modified by her daughter for a ball (right).  Carlyle descendants had in their possession a sleeve cut from the silk wedding gown so the fabric could be copied.



A view of the garden which would have bordered the Potomac but many years ago the water there was backfilled with soil taken from the bluffs to level the city out.  


3 comments:

Cynthia said...

What a beautiful old mansion and so well preserved. Interesting that it is no longer on the banks of the Potomac, not because it was moved but because the river was moved!
(Thanks for the suggestion of using Blurb for my book. My husband owns a publishing company and I will write it and he will take over from there. I'm pretty lucky! Your daughter must have loved the book you made of her letters and photos from China. What a treasure.)

baili said...

Wow ,museum building is simply gorgeous!
what an awesome interior images .
thank you for sharing the glory of olden times my friend!

Gosia said...

definitely great place to visit. Garden is fantastic