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 an art gallery where you can see amazing artwork. It's also a spot for performances like plays or music. Since 1964, it has been the home of the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association. This building is a great example of Greek Revival architecture, which is a fancy way of saying it looks like old Greek temples! The Athenaeum has a long and interesting past, serving many different purposes. 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 really important historical building!
Contents
A Look Back: The Athenaeum's Story
Early Days: A Bank and Famous Visitors
The land where the Athenaeum stands today has a rich history. It once belonged to William Fairfax. Even George Washington himself helped survey this land! The building you see now was built between 1851 and 1852. It was first used as the office for the Bank of the Old Dominion. Imagine, even famous people like Robert E. Lee reportedly had an account here! The bank was at the start of "Captains' Row." This is a block of very old buildings from the 1700s, all facing a charming cobblestone street.
Through the Civil War and Beyond
The Bank of the Old Dominion operated until the American Civil War. During this time, Union forces took over Alexandria. The building then became a home for the U.S. Commissary Quartermaster. This person was in charge of supplies for the army. The Bank of the Old Dominion closed in 1862.
But the building soon became a bank again! From 1870 to 1907, it housed the First Virginia Bank.
New Uses: From Medicine to Art
In 1907, the building changed its purpose once more. It became home to Leadbeater and Sons, a company that sold medicines. This was one of Alexandria's oldest businesses.
Then, in 1925, the Free Methodist Church of North America bought the property. They used it as a church until 1964.
The Athenaeum Today: A Hub for Arts
In 1964, the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association (NVFAA) bought the building. They still own it today! The NVFAA uses the building for many things. Its main purpose is to host fine arts exhibitions. It was also once a smaller office for the Washington School of Ballet.
The Athenaeum is part of the Virginia Trust. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building is sometimes called the "Old Dominion Bank Building." It is 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.
