Comprehensive Plan: Murray-Dick-Fawcett House
The Murray-Dick-Fawcett House at 517 Prince Street is one of the earliest homes in the city. The small city lot, which contains a 1770s timber-frame and brick dwelling and a small garden, was one of the few buildings in existence in the area during the American Revolution. The building has been recognized as a unique architectural example of a middle-class home that had all household functions under one roof with minimal changes through the decades. The property was acquired by the City of Alexandria in 2017 and in 2023, the Historic Structures Report process began. The Report was completed in 2024.
Comprehensive Plan Presentation
The Office of Historic Alexandria and Glavé & Holmes Architecture made a final presentation on the Comprehensive Planning process for the Murray-Dick-Fawcett House at 517 Prince Street on February 24, 2025. View the presentation and read the final report.
Project Background
The Office of Historic Alexandria is engaging with the community and stakeholders to create the Comprehensive Plan for the Murray-Dick-Fawcett House at 517 Prince Street. The Comprehensive Plan will provide a road map for the future use, interpretation, and preservation of the site.
Project Consultants
Glavé & Holmes Architecture – Lead: Project Management/Architecture
Glavé & Holmes Architecture is a women-owned small business that is nationally recognized for architecture, interior design, and planning.
HealyKohler Design: Exhibit Design
HealyKohler Design is a full-service museum and experiential design firm that has created successful visitor experiences through museum master planning, exhibition design, environmental graphics, branding, and print communications.
Timeline and Project Updates
May 2024: The initial stakeholder meetings were held May 14, 2024 from 5 to 8 p.m. and May 15 from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum.
April 2024: Project Kick-Off meeting was held.
February 2023: The Office of Historic Alexandria begins the Historic Structures Report study by Glavé & Holmes with funding from the Historic Alexandria Foundation.
March 2022: Contract awarded to Glavé & Holmes Architecture to initiate Historic Structures Report and Comprehensive Plan.
April 2017: The City of Alexandria acquires the property with the support of the Virginia Outdoors Foundation, the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, and then owner Joe Reeder. Reeder purchased the home in 2000 and continues to live there as a life tenant.