The Colored Rosemont Community History Initiative

The Colored Rosemont Community History Initiative is a collaboration between the Office of Historic Alexandria, and former and current residents of Colored Rosemont. The Initiative seeks to preserve and showcase the important history of this historic African American neighborhood, which was home to some of the first African American homeowners in the City of Alexandria throughout the early-to-mid 20th century. Learn more about Colored Rosemont and the Initiative below.

Page updated on January 18, 2025 at 4:05 PM

Colored Rosemont

Bound by Pendleton, Fayette, Madison, and N. West streets, “Colored Rosemont” stands as a reminder of racial segregation in Alexandria, and the foresight and perseverance of its African American residents. You might know it as West Braddock today.

A relative latecomer to the list of African American neighborhoods in Alexandria, the neighborhood was started in 1926 with the sale of plots to individual African American families by the real estate broker Virginia F. Thomas. Real Estate assessments show development on the block completed by 1939. Given its small geographic area, perhaps it is no surprise that the neighborhood was often considered part of the Uptown neighborhood and that today it sits in the Uptown/Parker-Gray Historic District in the National Register.

Some of the original residents of the area were the Berry, Burke, Churchill, Dundas, Jackson, Johnson, Hickman, McCray, Morrison and Watson families. Long a proponent of African American homeownership, Thomas sold the plots to both extended families and individual couples. The majority of the new residents were working-class.

The term “Colored Rosemont” was used colloquially, which is why it’s not found on period maps. The moniker of “Colored Rosemont” was a reminder that Alexandria was racially segregated and prevented African Americans from owning or renting in other neighborhoods, including the nearby Rosemont neighborhood.

The designation of “Colored Rosemont” as part of a National Historic District recognizes the foresight and determination of Virginia F. Thomas and the families that made it a thriving community. Whether original owners like the Jacksons or newcomers like the Bates family, the perseverance in both building a community and maintaining it is worthy of admiration.