Carlyle House

Carlyle House is a colonial residence in Alexandria built with Georgian architectural features. The three-story stone building displays symmetrical windows and detailed cornices typical of wealthy merchants' homes in 18th-century Virginia.

Merchant John Carlyle had the house built in 1752 and it quickly became a gathering place for important meetings. During the French and Indian War, military planning and political discussions took place within its walls.

The house displays how wealthy merchants lived and worked during colonial times. The rooms with their furnishings and decorations tell the story of trade and social life in that era.

The house can be visited with guided tours available on multiple days each week. School groups can book special programs and access educational materials about colonial life.

The basement level preserves the original kitchen with its large cooking fireplace and food storage areas. These working spaces of servants reveal an often overlooked aspect of daily life in that era.