The Office of Historic Alexandria has begun the process of rehabilitating the exterior of the Freedom House Museum at 1315 Duke Street. A great many changes have been made to the building since it was last used as a slave pen in 1861, and the goal of this work is twofold: first, to stabilize and protect the building and second, to return the early portions to their pre-Civil War appearance, which helps tell the story of the domestic slave trade to its fullest. This work is guided by extensive historical documentation of the building and was recommended in the Historic Structures Report and supported by the community in the Comprehensive Plan.
Key parts of the project rehabilitation include:
- Sealing the exterior building envelope;
- Modifying the current front roofline to a side gable roof;
- Returning the second entryway to the front façade;
- Adjusting the west elevation window openings to be consistent with Civil War era photographs;
- Spot repointing the brick; and
- Renewing windows, woodwork, and siding.
Work is being carried out by Oak Grove Restoration Company on behalf of the City of Alexandria and is expected to be completed by December 2025. This project is being funded through private donations, Commonwealth of Virginia funds, as well as a Save America’s Treasurers grant from the Historic Preservation Fund administered by the National Park Service, Department of Interior.
To make a gift, please contact Mary Bramley at 703.746.4797