Athenaeum (Alexandria, Virginia)
| Company type | Nonprofit organization |
|---|---|
| Industry | Arts and culture |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Headquarters | Alexandria, Virginia , United States |
Area served | Northern Virginia |
| Owner | Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association |
| Website | nvfaa |
The Athenaeum serves as an art gallery and a venue for performances located in Alexandria, Virginia. Since 1964, it has been the headquarters of the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association. The structure is a notable example of Greek Revival architecture and was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Additionally, it is affiliated with the Virginia Trust.
History
Originally, the property was part of land owned by William Fairfax and was surveyed by George Washington. Erected between 1851 and 1852 at the intersection of Lee and Prince streets, the building initially functioned as the Bank of the Old Dominion's office, which is said to have managed an account for Robert E. Lee. This bank was a central feature of Captains' Row, a historic block containing 18th-century buildings.
During the Civil War period, Union troops took control of Alexandria and repurposed this building as the U.S. Commissary Quartermaster’s office. The Bank of the Old Dominion ceased operations in 1862; however, from 1870 until 1907, the premises were occupied by the First Virginia Bank. Later, Leadbeater and Sons, a pharmaceutical wholesale company, used the space until 1925. Ownership then passed to the Free Methodist Church of North America, who held it until 1964. That year, the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association (NVFAA) purchased the building and has since maintained it primarily for fine arts exhibitions. The location also previously accommodated a branch office for the Washington School of Ballet.
Also referred to as the Old Dominion Bank Building, this site remains one of Alexandria’s rare privately owned properties accessible to the public. Its upkeep and operations depend significantly on contributions from the local community.
External links
- Athenaeum, Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association – official site
- National Register of Historic Places in Alexandria, Virginia
- Buildings and structures in Alexandria, Virginia
- Bank buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Virginia
- Art museums and galleries established in 1964
- Museums in Alexandria, Virginia
- Commercial buildings completed in 1852
- Greek Revival architecture in Virginia
- Arts centers in Virginia
- 1964 establishments in Virginia