McHenry Seaport Center
Old Town's Waterfront
Just south of Washington, D.C., the Torpedo Factory Art Center overlooks the Potomac River in Old Town Alexandria, VA., and is the main ingredient for a beautiful bike ride on the Mount Vernon Trail.
Yes, the Torpedo Factory Art Center was once an actual torpedo factory! The U.S. Naval Torpedo Station opened in 1919 and operated for five years before becoming munitions storage. With the onset of WWII, it produced Mark III and Mark IV torpedoes. By war's end, it converted to government storage until the City of Alexandria bought it in 1969.
In 1974, a group of visionary artists renovated the neglected factory into usable studio spaces. It is one of the country's earliest examples of reuse of industrial space and has become a stimulus for the revitalization of the Potomac riverfront and the historic preservation of Old Town Alexandria. This Art Center continues to be a prototype for other visual arts organizations around the world. It houses 82 studios, 7 galleries, and 165 resident artists of ceramics, collage, mixed media, fiber, glass and enamel, jewelry, painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, and sculpture.
For its 40th birthday 3 years ago, a glass artist installed 5 towers centered around a 3rd floor smokestack, a remnant of the building’s original designation. The spiraling movement of the balls in each tower is reminiscent of the double helix of a strand of DNA. They also look like they’re swimming, providing a very calming and peaceful movement, so you know I loved it.
Yes, the Torpedo Factory Art Center was once an actual torpedo factory! The U.S. Naval Torpedo Station opened in 1919 and operated for five years before becoming munitions storage. With the onset of WWII, it produced Mark III and Mark IV torpedoes. By war's end, it converted to government storage until the City of Alexandria bought it in 1969.
In 1974, a group of visionary artists renovated the neglected factory into usable studio spaces. It is one of the country's earliest examples of reuse of industrial space and has become a stimulus for the revitalization of the Potomac riverfront and the historic preservation of Old Town Alexandria. This Art Center continues to be a prototype for other visual arts organizations around the world. It houses 82 studios, 7 galleries, and 165 resident artists of ceramics, collage, mixed media, fiber, glass and enamel, jewelry, painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, and sculpture.
For its 40th birthday 3 years ago, a glass artist installed 5 towers centered around a 3rd floor smokestack, a remnant of the building’s original designation. The spiraling movement of the balls in each tower is reminiscent of the double helix of a strand of DNA. They also look like they’re swimming, providing a very calming and peaceful movement, so you know I loved it.
A collection of sights on my solo bike trip to Old Town Alexandria—a block of a preserved cobblestone street
Gadsby’s Tavern, a 1792 Federal-style City Hotel, was situated on the main stage coach route between Boston and Williasmburg, enabling it to become an important political and social center. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Robert E. Lee were notable patrons.
Then there’s an 18th century modest townhouse built in 1769 by Washington in case business or inclement weather prevented his return to Mount Vernon.
I visited Christ Church, a small rectangular Georgian structure. The moulding was made by hand and is original. The tower with belfry is 3 stories high. I sat in George Washington’s pew cubicle. Robert E. Lee was also a member of the congregation.
Original dentil molding in the church
Old burial sites on the church grounds
Love the bricks placed in a herringbone design as a walkway to townhouses. Pretty little village.
Bill and Laura
Washington, DC
No comments:
Post a Comment