The Lyceum

Diggory and I visited the Lyceum in Old Town Alexandria yesterday.  I'd never gone, despite more than one post of employment at area museums and historic sites, and it was time to make amends.  Plus, it certainly helps my motivation that the weather was perfect, there's free parking, and it's close to many of my favorite Old Town shops.

Located on Washington Street, the "through Old Town" portion of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, the Lyceum is Alexandria's history museum.  The beautiful Greek Revival building was built in 1839 as a community cultural center, and it still functions, in part, as that today, hosting a full calendar of lectures and concerts.  The suggested donation is $2.00 for adults, an admission price I will gladly pay for the free parking.  A quarter buys you nine minutes at some Old Town meters, so the free parking is a major bonus.  The main entrance is located on the Washington Street facade, up several steep steps and through the columns.  The stroller accessible entrance is located through the parking lot or from the ramp just to the left of the main entrance.  The museum's exhibits are all located on the first floor, making a quick stroll through the galleries fairly straightforward.  The chronologically arranged permanent exhibit situated on either side of the main lobby follows Alexandria's history from its earliest inhabitants in 10,000 BC through the Civil War era and to the modern age.  The rear of the first floor is dedicated to changing exhibits.  The current exhibition is Occupied City: The Civil War in Alexandria, on view through September 2013.  The restrooms, plenty spacious and with changing tables, are located just past the gift shop and near the exit to the parking lot.  

The lecture hall upstairs is a good place to let little ones wander, or so I was told by the friendly staff at the information desk.  We traversed the long flight of stairs to check it out, but all the lights were off, so we came back down fairly quickly.  There is also an elevator, if you are so inclined.

Diggs humored me with actually sitting mostly still for this photo outside the Lyceum's main entrance.

There are several child-friendly features for children, such as a scavenger hunt, this coloring table, and several interactive, flip-book style text panels.

Just across the street from the Lyceum, or, actually, IN the street at the intersection of Washington and Prince Streets, is the Confederate Statue, or Appomattox, dedicated in 1889 to the Confederate soldiers from Alexandria who had lost their lives in the Civil War.  Given the number of sesquicentennial events happening in Virginia and beyond this year, I thought it was appropriate that we go to an exhibition about the Civil War this week, and contemplate the significance of that small statue that has wrecked havoc on my commute, oh so many times.  

Luckily, the Lyceum, as I mentioned, is conveniently located near many wonderful shops and cafes.  In fact, just on the other side of the parking lot is the opened-not-so-long-ago Society Fair, the latest project of the masterminds behind Restaurant Eve, The Majestic, and Eamonn's, among others.  It is, indeed, and "epicurean delight," and I very much enjoyed browsing the sweets table, cheese offerings, and other goodies nestled throughout the market.

Diggory enjoying a beverage while momma has an espresso at Society Fair, next door to the Lyceum.  The Confederate Statue is in the background, top center.

It was a wonderful morning, topped off with a trip to Paper Source, 529 Kids Consign, and the newly opened Bucket List Boutique just a few blocks down the road.  Diggory had so much fun that he fell asleep in the car on the way home and even stayed asleep while momma carried him to bed for the rest of his nap.  Wonder of all wonders.  He's such a good little tag-a-long.