News

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On June 22, 1937, the Alexandria City Council appropriated $2,500 to construct a baseball field at the old Almshouse property at Monroe Street and U.S. Route 1. The 18th century Almshouse, built to house indigent Alexandrians, had been auctioned off by the city several years earlier for a boarding house, but returned to city ownership when the new owner’s finances reversed during the Great Depression … Some forty years later the ballfield was named in honor of developer Eugene Simpson who was a great supporter of Alexandria youth athletic programs. The new ball field proved immensely popular, and today is known as Simpson Field.” [Historic Alexandria]

State Budget Deal Reached — “After months of debate and an increasingly fraught battle over how to tax and regulate data centers, Virginia budget negotiators announced Friday evening that they’d reached a deal featuring a new energy consumption tax for the industry that’s expected to generate $1.2 billion over the biennium. The new plan also includes 4% raises for teachers each year, and roughly $285 million for health insurance from the state marketplace and food assistance funding for low-income families. It will also give localities authority to impose a 1% sales tax for school construction and renovation, if they choose.” [Virginia Mercury]

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On June 19, 1943, the United Service Organization (USO) opened a center for World War servicemen in the rear section of 115 N. Washington Street, seen in the background of this image, in what was once the 18th century home built for John Gordon at the corner of King Street.” [Historic Alexandria]

City Government Services Closed for Juneteenth — “All City of Alexandria government offices will be closed Juneteenth (Friday, June 19). The holiday recognizes the end of slavery in the U.S. as the last enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned they were free on June 19, 1865 — two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.” [ALXnow]

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On June 18, 1812, President James Madison declared war on England, in response to years of British harassment of American trading ships on the Atlantic, impressment of American seamen into British service, armed support of Native Americans and a possible Indian Confederacy in the Midwest, and aspirations to expand American territory into Canada. Thus began the War of 1812, considered by some to be America’s “Second War of Independence.” Although Alexandrians were quick to recognize the threat to their city and the nearby national capital, Secretary of War John Armstrong largely dismissed their concerns and financial offers to reinforce security in the Potomac River region. Two years later, Alexandrians found themselves in the crosshairs of the escalating conflict, and their premonition of defeat by a Naval force proved all too accurate.” [Historic Alexandria]

Early Voting Opens for Aug. 4 Primaries — “Early voting is set to begin Thursday, June 18 for 2026 congressional primary elections in Alexandria, according to the city’s Office of Voter Registration and Elections. The elections on Aug. 4 will include a Democratic primary for U.S. House of Representatives in the 8th Congressional District and a Republican primary to decide who will run against Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) for U.S. Senate.” [ALXnow]