Quiet Respite

A few days ago, the day after the election, in fact, Diggory and I needed to get out of the house.  I was in a bit of a post-election funk and not in the mood to travel very far or battle for parking in downtown Washington, DC, so we got in the car and headed for Old Town Alexandria, hoping for some museum-going inspiration along the route.  If nothing else, I told myself I could just engage in some sort of retail therapy at Paper Source.  There could be absolutely nothing wrong with that, right?  Well, as it happened, I found an excellent parking space right next to the Torpedo Factory Art Center, and walked up the hill along King Street to the Alexandria Visitors Center at Ramsay House.  Located at the corner of King Street and North Fairfax Street, the Ramsay House is centrally located in the heart of lower Old Town Alexandria, and it is a worthwhile stop for even longtime Alexandria residents.  Though the current building is a reproduction of the original 1720s home built by Scottish merchant and city founder William Ramsay (the building burned down in the 1940s), it's still a nice resource for information and a quiet respite from the usual hustle and bustle.  Walk up the stone steps and approach the house from the garden...stop to take a few pictures of your adorable child, like I did.  

Once inside, pick up any number of brochures for area sights and attractions.  You might be surprised by what you didn't know or didn't remember was nearby.  For example, I picked up a brochure about the historic 1770s Christ Church, just a few blocks west of Ramsay House.  More on Christ Church below.  But, before we ventured out, we went downstairs to inspect the "facilities."  If you navigate the stairs or if you enter the building from the handicap accessible entrance off King Street, you'll find two large unisex restrooms.  Only the one to the left of the large flat screen television, and closest to the stairs, has a changing table.  Also, I supposed this is good information to have if you're just strolling down the street with your little one and need a restroom asap.  And speaking of restrooms, the parking ramp underneath city hall and Market Square (literally just across North Fairfax Street from Ramsay House) has men's and women's restrooms as well.  I am continually pleased with their cleanliness.  Just FYI.

So, off we went to Christ Church.  I needed a quiet and contemplative space anyway to lift my mood.  From Ramsay House, walk west on King Street and then turn right (north) onto Washington Street.  Walk one block, and then enter the Christ Church courtyard and cemetery through the archway in the brick wall.

Constructed between 1767 and 1773, the Georgian-style church has stood witness to countless important events in American history, from the American Revolution through the Civil War, and has hosted congregations including such notable persons as George Washington, Robert E. Lee, Winston Churchill, and Franklin Roosevelt.  It really is an amazing building, with an amazing history, and really worth the 20 minute (ish) tour, if you just open the door and step in.  The church still has an active congregation and three or four worship services every Sunday, but it's open for visitors and tours Monday through Saturday from 9:00am until 4:00pm, and on Sundays from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.  We were greeted by a very nice and knowledgeable older gentleman who showed us around the sanctuary and pointed out George Washington's pew and other highlights.  Afterward, we walked across the courtyard and into the modern administrative building to check out the gift shop.  Very cute, indeed, and I was almost tempted to purchase some watermelon rind pickles.  With my spirits lifted, we wandered back in the direction of the car...but I still stopped by Paper Source for some therapeutic and much-loved crafting goodies.