The Washington times., 1902-05-20
PLAN TO Save FAMOUS
ALEXANDRIA LANDMARK
Members of the D. A. R. After
Historic Old Mansion.
May Purchase Carlyle House, Formerly
Braddock's Head
quarters.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. May 19.-The old
Carlyle house. one of the oldest AMI
most historical places of interest in this
city. will. it is understood. shortly be-
come the property of the Daughters OF
the American Revolution. 1t is stated on
good authority that negotiations are now
pending between the Mount Vernon Chap
ter, Daughters of the American Revolu
tion. and local real estate agent who
has charge OF the property. and 1t is said
that the deal will be consummated at an
early date. The members of the local
chapter and those interested in the pro-
posed deal refuse to talk for publication
until the affair assumes a more definit.
shape.
The old Carlyle house is rapidly going
to decay. and at present is in an exceed
ingiy dilapidated condition. The condition
of the building was br0Lght to the atten-
tion of the Daughters of the American
Revolution by tourists who have visited
the historic mansion. many Of whom are
members of the that organization.
1t is believed that the deal will be made
through the Mount Vernon Chapter. which
is the local chapter of the organization.
as it is understood that the members have
been working hard on the matter for some
time past. II purchased. however. 1t is
more than probable that it will become
the property of the national organization.
and be governed by the State chapter.
The purchase money. 1t Is believed. will
be raised by the national organization.
The old Carlyle house is visited by
large numbers of strangers annually, in
fact. most OF the tourists who visit
Mount Vernon consider their visit in
complete without going through this in
teresting place. which is teemins with
reminders OF historical interest. II the
Daughters of the American Revolution
secure the property it is more than prob
able that they will at once make the
necessary repairs and thoroughly reno
vate It. without, however. changing its
interior. II will. no doubt. be run on the
same plan that the Mount Vernon Ladies'
Association now manage Mount Vernon.
The Carlyle house is one Of the Oldest
landmarks in the city of Alexandria. 1t
is situated on North Fairfax Street. in
the rear of the old Braddock house. 1t
was erected in 1872 by John ;. Carlyle,
and was occupied. through the courtesy
of its owner. by the British General Brad
dock, and since that time has been popu-
larly known as B!addock's headquarters.
The old house is full of associations
with the historic rast. In its paEeled
drawing room, early in April of the year
117j. General Braddock and Admiral kep-
pei held conference with the eXeeu-
tive representatives OF the various col
onies concerning plans for the proposed
hostilities OF the English against the
French and Indian allies along the Ohio
and st. Lawrence Rivers. There were
present FIVE GoyernOrs-Dinwiddie. of
Virginia: De Lancey. OF New York; Nor
ris. of Pennsylvania. Sharpe, OF Mary
land, and Shirley. OF Massachusetts,.
To meet this honorable council and 70
give them the benefit OF his knowledge
of Indian warfare. Major Washington was
from Mount Vernon. In spite
of the marked impression made upon
the council as a body by the young SOL
dier's wise and moderate opinions. Brad
dock declined to act upon Washington s
advice as to the best method of dealing
with the Indians. and the expedition
against Fort Duquesne from which
did not withhold his own
services as an aide on the staff of the
setting forth within the en-
ouiub tilC hCiSc
battle OF Monongahels. when Braddock
fell. and was buried near the field.
The Carlyle house. where this disas-
trous campaign was planned. stands to-
day in the rear of the old Braddock
House. and is lost sight of by prom
cnaders on North Fairfax Street. The
blue room. where the conference was
held. the old colonial kitchen the wine
cellars. and the dungeon are In COM
paratively good state of preservation.
Many are the stories that could be told
of the old house. which is visited daily
by people from all parts of the world.
When erected it stood on the brow OF
hill the base OF which was washed by
the Potomac. II is built entirely of free
stone. a light -colored sandstone like that
OF which the walls OF the central part OF
The Capitol are composed. 1t was origi- |
nally entered by fine fight OF steps of
the same stone from a beautiful lawn
to Fairfax Street and adorned |
by sixteen tall Lombardy poplars. ar
ranged in parallel rows. |