The Athenaeum

Black-and-white photo of a historic building labeled Prince St. Warehouse, featuring large columns at the entrance and partially obscured by trees.
Black-and-white photo of a group of men in uniforms standing outside a large columned building labeled Old Dominion, with trees and a horse along the street.
A group of people stands outside a peach-colored, columned historic building labeled ATHEAEUM on a sunny day, with trees and a streetlamp nearby.
A peach-colored building with tall columns is framed by blooming cherry blossom trees under a clear blue sky. Sunlight casts shadows on the entrance steps and open door.
A bright wedding ceremony room with rows of gold chairs with purple cushions and floral decorations, facing large windows and two flower arrangements at the front. Artwork is on the walls and trees are visible outside.
A man stands and speaks to a seated audience in a bright room with large windows and colorful artwork displayed on the walls. The attendees listen attentively.
A historic building with tall columns is illuminated by pink lights at night. Trees and a streetlamp are visible nearby, along with a car parked in front and a street sign on the corner.
A small, enclosed courtyard with stone paving, brick walls, potted plants, trimmed greenery, and a stone bench under leafy trees. Sunlight filters through the trees, creating a peaceful and inviting atmosphere.
A historic pink and cream building labeled ATHENAEUM with tall columns, large windows, and a lamp post in front, located at the corner of Prince Avenue on a sunny day.
A historic pink and cream-colored Greek Revival building with columns and Athenaeum inscribed above the entrance, located at the corner of Prince Street. Leafless trees and a street lamp are nearby.
Black and white photo of a classical-style building with large columns at the entrance, labeled “Prince St. Warehouse.” Trees partially obscure the front and side of the building.
A historic, pink-colored building with tall columns and a triangular pediment labeled ATHENAEUM, standing at a street corner on a sunny day, with bare trees and a street sign visible nearby.
01 | 12

The Athenaeum is a Greek Revival building built in 1851 and was home to the Bank of the Old Dominion. During the Civil War occupation of Alexandria, Federal troops commandeered the building, which they used as Commissary Headquarters for the Union Army. After the Battle of Bull Run/First Manassas, the building served as a triage facility for wounded Union soldiers.

One of the few remaining examples of neo-classical Greek revival architecture in historic Alexandria, the Athenaeum is on both the Virginia Trust and National Register of Historic Places. Today it is an art gallery and home of the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association.

Open Thursday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Closed on major holidays.