Historic Alexandria Celebrates Women’s History in the City

From a profile of a daring 18th century coffee shop owner to the arrest of local suffragists, the Office of Historic Alexandria is planning a series of lectures and activities for Women’s History Month.

Historic Alexandria is planning several events over the upcoming weeks, including:

• Lecture on 18th Century Coffeehouse Proprietor Hannah Griffith, March 11, 7 p.m. — Learn how Hannah Griffith used her status, experience and industriousness to make a new life for herself and her eight young children in the late 18th century. After becoming widowed, she operated the prestigious Alexandria Coffee-House, which is one of the buildings that today are part of Gadsby’s Tavern Museum.
• New Wayfinding Marker — A new wayfinding marker will be installed at the former Alexandria Custom House (SW corner of Prince & St. Asaph Streets) commemorating the Occoquan Workhouse Suffragists who were tried and convicted at that location, sponsored by Alexandria Celebrates Women.
• A New Online Exhibit “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts” — Learn about Alexandria’s first Girl Scout troops and the important role youth organizations have historically played in supporting girls in their formative years.

The city is also planing to publish stories about female business leaders, including some that played a role in historic preservation efforts. An article in the March edition of Zebra will feature a profile of Julia Wheelock, who came to Alexandria as a nurse during the Civil War.

Historic Alexandria said those who want more stories and information about women’s history in Alexandria should follow the department’s Facebook and Instagram pages, which will regularly spotlight additional local profiles in women’s history.

Photo via National Women’s History Museum/Facebook