Athenaeum (Alexandria, Virginia) facts for kids
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Old Dominion Bank Building
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Old Dominion Bank Building
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 Location in Alexandria Historical District
Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | 201 Prince St., Alexandria, Virginia |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1851 |
| Architect | Francis, E.; Jenkins, B.H. |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 80004307 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | March 20, 1980 |
The Athenaeum is a cool place in Alexandria, Virginia, United States. It's a gallery where you can see amazing art and a venue for performances. Since 1964, it has been the home of the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association.
This building is a great example of Greek Revival architecture, a style that looks like ancient Greek temples. The Athenaeum has a long and interesting past, serving many different purposes over the years. Today, it's part of the Virginia Trust and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. This means it's a special historical site.
Contents
A Look Back: The Athenaeum's History
The land where the Athenaeum stands today has a rich history. It once belonged to William Fairfax, and the famous George Washington even surveyed it!
Building a Bank in the 1850s
The building itself was constructed between 1851 and 1852. It was built at the corner of Lee and Prince streets. Its first job was to be the office for the Bank of the Old Dominion. It's even said that Robert E. Lee, a famous general, had an account there! This bank was at the start of a historic area called Captains' Row. This block still has old 18th-century buildings facing a cobblestone street.
Changes During the Civil War
The Bank of the Old Dominion operated until the Civil War began. When Union forces took over Alexandria, the building was used by the U.S. Army. It became a place to store supplies for soldiers. The bank closed its doors in 1862.
New Owners and New Uses
After the Civil War, the building became a bank again. The First Virginia Bank used it from 1870 to 1907. Then, in 1907, a company called Leadbeater and Sons moved in. They were a very old business in Alexandria that sold medicines.
In 1925, the Free Methodist Church of North America bought the property. They used it as a church until 1964. That year, the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association (NVFAA) bought the building. The NVFAA still owns it today. They use it mainly for showing beautiful art. It was also once a smaller office for the Washington School of Ballet.
The Athenaeum Today
The Athenaeum is a special building. It's one of the few privately owned buildings in Alexandria that is open to everyone. Because of this, it relies a lot on donations from the community to keep going. It's a true treasure for art and history lovers!
Images for kids
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Old Dominion Bank Building
