carlyle house

carlyle house印象

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  alysiar2014

  This mansion really is lovely. I suggest taking the tour through the place. Our tour guide was very informative and was more than happy to answer questions. I was really surprised to learn that the events that occurred in this home eventually led to the American Revolutionary War. I'm a huge history nerd, so I found all this really exciting and fascinating! If you care about American History or just want to know how wealthy people lived during the late 18th century, you should definitely drop by. The tour only costs $5 per person. Not bad at all!

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  mad155

  we had no idea how big this place was and it is in the middle of alexandria. because it was a tour each of the rooms had a docent and they explained each of the rooms in detail. not sure if this is a normal thing or not but each were thorough in their description and were able to answer most questions thrown at them. side note, because of the stairs i dont think this is wheelchair or stroller friendly. All in all a good place to visit to get a feel about Old Town. Not sure of the cost because we had a groupon that we purchased weeks ago.

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  Bill_Hignett

  Coming from England where visiting historic houses is a national sport (e.g. www.hha.org.uk), it was so refreshing to find a place where heritage and history are valued.The restoration of the house has been achieved as sympathetically as possible and it was wonderful to see the original interiors brought back to life mostly with Carlyle's furniture. The immediate family was well researched in terms of their role pre-revolution, and the pivotal role that this house played as the venue for the congress of governors which ultimately led to the political inception of America as independent nation state. The links to George Washington's family and connections to other grand families are enlightening and show a more human, domestic side of the period of American history, often portrayed as purely political. Did you know, for example, that Mrs Washington refused to have a kitchen in her Alexandria home, as she preferred to eat out whilst there (endless cooking at Mount Vernon had taken its toll!)?Tim was a fantastic guide and we were so glad that it was open on a Sunday. Just make sure to stick around for the tour.

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  687WilliamS

  One of the adventures you should take in Old Town is a ghost tour. We came across the Caryle House as part of that tour. It is one of the oldest and grandest and most original houses in Old Town. For simply history's sake, you should see it. The other reviews are consistent with my own impression. As a historic preservationist, my opinion is that have done a first rate job of keeping within the spirit of the time the house was built and occupied.

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  TravelerO279

  Situated directly across from city hall in Alexandria (eastern side towards the river), this walls in this colonial-era home have seen a great deal. When entering the site, come thru the front grate then follow the path to the left side of the house to enter at the basement level (there's a big, heavy wooden door where you enter). After paying the entrance fee (check website), you observe a film approx. 10-15 minute long covering history of the home. At the conclusion of the film, your tour guide will provide a short talk on the home before starting the walking tour thru the house. Be advised, the start of the tour will take you up some narrow winding wooden stairs. If you have a stroller, are handicapped, or don't do well with stairs then take heed. The tour takes you thru the first level and second levels where much of the original items are in place and the guide gives you a clearer picture of life back then in a house like this. Some interesting paintings and charts on the walls as well. Perhaps of greatest significance is the meeting/dining room on the first level where General Braddock met with the colony's governors before embarking on his fateful journey to combat the French and Indians (see French and Indian War). If you're on a Braddock's Road tour/following Braddock's Road then this is the best place to start. What happened in this room is of major historical significance as it set the stage for the Revolution and the end of British rule in the American colonies. When the tour winds down on the 2nd floor, you get to enter one last room where the walls have been removed and you can see much of the original architecture as well as what has been done to restore the home. There are also photos showing how the house was left in obscurity during and following the Civil War before being restored to its former glory within the last few decades. Overall, a good tour. You might appreciate it more though with some background reading on Braddock's Road and Alexandria before visiting. Not a good tour for small kids (<10 yrs old) as they'll be bored to tears. Not a handicap or stroller accessible site either. For parking, there's metered street parking or a parking garage directly across the street from the site. Occasionally there are also colonial era reenactors (saw some soldiers drilling) on site who are more than happy to speak to the colonial times and the conditions the inhabitants endured. There's a tourist/tour office around the corner from the site (turn left on King Street) where you can probably get more info on this and other available tours.

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  LisaKay50

  I have visited so many old houses since I moved to Virginia and they are all interesting if you like this kind of stuff, but I learned things that I never knew from our knowledgeable docent. It only takes a little over an hour (short movie first gives you some background) and then you can tour the house. John Carlyle was an interesting guy who came over from Scotland, married well and became one of the many to give up his dream of returning to Scotland to support the American revolution. Even for rich families of the day, life was hard -- two wives died during childbirth and most of his children never made it to adulthood. The house underwent many changes since the Carlyle's owned it and you understand something of the economic history of Alexandria as you absorb the story of this old residence. If you are visiting the King St area and shopping or eating there, the Carlyle House is a quick walk just behind City Hall. Check the tour schedule but I think there is one every 30 minutes and well worth the $5 fee.

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  twosc

  The guide Chuck related the history very well. It was the only stone house in early colonial Virginia, and a hotel was built in front of it, letting the house in disrepair. So glad the citizen opted to restored the house, and removed the hotel which was the hospital during the Civil war.

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  jeffl499

  This mansion was built by John Carlyle in 1752. A Scotsman, Carlyle arrived in the American colonies and promptly got into business, starting a number of enterprises focused on the import/export business. He chose Alexandria, an emerging seaport on the Potomac River, to build his dream house out of stone in line with his Scottish heritage. Carlyle married into the Lord Fairfax family and quickly became a member of the Virginia gentry whose plantations and commercial enterprises gave them both wealth and power. Hosting General Braddock who arrived to lead an expedition to fight the French and Indians, Carlyle became disgusted with his slovenly manner as well as his distain for the colonists. This led to Carlyle's new sense of being an "American" and his support for the Revolution until his death in 1780. A visit to the house links you closely to an early American. The house itself fell into disrepair under the management of his daughter and son-in-law with the sale to an innkeeper who built a large hotel in the front and left the House to decay. Restoration began in 1975 with its sale to a Virginian corporation, that with careful research has done a masterful job of it. A knowledgeable guide (docent) a 45-minute tour after a short video to get a full appreciation of 18th century life (including the slaves) in Alexandria. A modest fee ($5) is the gateway to a great tour.

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  JerryBurtII

  This is a well preserved historic house. What is more is that it happens to be right in Old Town so not out of the way. The guides were also very well trained, and it was not over-priced at all. It is also possible to reserve the grounds for special occasions.

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  HTNatch

  We went here for a class in embroidery samplers, and learned quite a bit about the house's interesting history. We got pulled into learning more about it's beginnings and more recently, the renovations. We love history and old houses, but if this is not for you, then it will probably be boring. If you are there on a Saturday, check out the farmers market across the street, right above the entrance to the parking garage.