Old Town Alexandria: Recreating a Colonial Garden

Once a Civil War encampment, the homeowners found two privys; dozens of clay marbles and pipes and whiskey bottles; Union officer jacket buttons; and underwear “presser” buttons during a pre-renovation archaeological dig. Milk glass eggs once used to encourage chickens to lay eggs and barrel chimneys from a meat packing plant on the river were also uncovered. The homeowners kept the property distinct from their own lot and first added separate electric and water lines underground. Utilities on the side of the house were also brought underground or low-to-ground as the home’s façade could now be made beautiful for public view. The brick walkway adjacent to the house was re-laid. Inspired by a Mount Vernon barn, the homeowners selected an “old-looking” oversized brick handmade by a Carolina brick company to build the garden paths. Photography by Greg Hadley