Occupied City: Life in Civil War Alexandria August 12, 2013

This exhibit examines life in an American town, seized and held by its own Federal government, following Virginia's decision to secede from the Union in May 1861. See how Robert E. Lee's hometown of Alexandria was transformed literally overnight from a prosperous, bustling commercial port into a supply, hospital, and transportation center for the Union Army, and find out why Alexandria became a destination for African Americans seeking freedom. Explore the experiences of Alexandrians and others who lived here during this tumultuous time, through their own words, as well as period photographs and collections items.