Stories of U.S.: Buildings as Collections

This exhibition, marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, showcases recently acquired objects, many on view for the first time. View the exhibit at the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, from June 11, 2026 to January 2028.
Page updated on June 8, 2026 at 12:46 PM
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Buildings as Collections

Historic buildings provide a sense of place and space. They are the largest objects in Historic Alexandria’s collection and require constant care to ensure they can be visited for generations to come. The following are two recently completed preservation projects. 

Freedom House Museum at 1315 Duke Street 

Murray-Dick-Fawcett House

Freedom House Museum

1315 Duke Street is all that remains of a large complex that was once devoted to trafficking thousands of Black men, women, and children between 1828-1861. The multi-year exterior rehabilitation was completed in the Fall of 2025. Masons, woodworkers, and other craftsmen stabilized this important building and returned it to its pre-Civil War appearance, which helps tell the story of the domestic slave trade. 

Freedom House, early 2025, grey with mansard roof.

 

Freedom House museum after renovation, painted brick red

 

The façade work at Freedom House required changing masonry openings to install new windows and shutters, a new roofline, recreating the location of the retail door in the middle, and using historic paint color schemes.

 

On display

Transom, ca. late 19th-early 20th century

This transom from Freedom House Museum at 1315 Duke Street was placed over the front door as part of its conversion into apartments at the turn of the 20th century. It was removed during the recent exterior rehabilitation project as it post-dates the interpretive period of 1812-1861. Architectural pieces such as this are kept in the Museum’s collection as they are important for documenting and understanding the building’s history.

This dark red wooden panel has gold lettering with the street number 1315 and a raised white border.

Murray-Dick-Fawcett House

Located at 517 Prince Street, this building is one of the oldest homes in Alexandria. This 18th- century house underwent a two-phase restoration starting in 2021. Research informed a historically accurate replacement of the roof during Phase I, including new fish-scale wood shingles based on the original. Phase II restored the exterior, focusing on doors, windows, wide-board siding, the porch, and the primary entryway. 

Roofer installing shingles on dormer.

 

Preservation work was conducted after careful examination of archival materials, research based on Historic American Buildings Surveys and Historic Structure Reports, and field investigation such as dendrochronology and laboratory paint analysis.

Introduction

This exhibition, marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, showcases recently acquired objects, many on view for the first time.

Buildings as Collections

Historic buildings provide a sense of place and space. They are the largest objects in Historic Alexandria’s collection and require constant care to ensure they can be visited for generations to come. 

Collecting Stories

Oral histories deepen our understanding of the past by capturing personal perspectives and memories. Historic Alexandria collects these through The Alexandria Oral History Center and uses a community-driven approach to document and preserve the stories of Alexandria.

Collecting the Past

Historic Alexandria collects objects to preserve them and make them publicly available to share. Museum collections do not just reflect the past; they provide a resource for future generations. 

Collecting the Present

Historic Alexandria intentionally collects personal items and oral histories as major events are happening. This ensures these national stories are part of Alexandria’s history for future generations. 

Conserving for the Future

Caring for collections is a fundamental part of the Office of Historic Alexandria’s work.  Conservation treatment is essential for ensuring historic objects survive into the future. Each object requires special storage and care, depending on its materials and condition.