BPAC kicked off Independence Day by organizing a presidential history walk on Monday, July 4. On a sunny summer morning, about 50 people — and two special canine guests — gathered for a walk around Old Town Alexandria to visit places associated with U.S. presidents.
During the tour, we discussed the time that Thomas Jefferson paid $5.50 for lodging and dinner at Gadsby’s Tavern; talked about how President Jackson was assaulted while receiving visitors at Alexandria’s docks; learned how Alexandria Mayor Marshall J. Beverley talked his way into an audience at the White House with President Eisenhower; and stopped at the Alfred Street Baptist Church to talk about the visits by Presidents Clinton and Obama. One of the walk participants had actually been at the church during President Obama’s visit, which added an interesting personal note to the tour.
If you would like to do a self-guided version of our 2022 presidential history walk, a guide to the route and stops is available here.
Here are some photos from the walk:
Many thanks to the BPAC volunteers who helped spread the word about the event, talked about the history at each stop, and helped keep the group safe.
Alexandria Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee 