Once the headquarters and holding pen for the largest domestic slave trading firm in the United States, Franklin and Armfield, the Freedom House Museum in Alexandria will be open special hours during Black History Month.
The move is especially symbolic, as the museum's owners nearly defaulted on a $1.5 million mortgage last fall. The Alexandria City Council will be voting on whether to take over the mortgage, pay for an assessment and apply for a grant to help develop a "long-term sustainable plan" for the museum. The vote is expected at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 13.
The building is currently owned by the Northern Virginia Urban League.
Through a collaboration by the Office of Historic Alexandria and the Northern Virginia Urban League, Freedom House Museum is open from 1-5 p.m. Saturdays in February. The museum is normally open limited hours Monday - Friday only.
Enslaved people were brought to Franklin and Armfield from the Chesapeake Bay area and forced to slave markets in Natchez, Mississippi and New Orleans either by foot or ship.
After Franklin and Armfield vacated the building in 1836, James Birch, the trader who had sold Solomon Northup, author of Twelve Years a Slave, in Washington DC, moved his operation into the building in 1858.
Birch and his partner used the building as their headquarters until 1861, when the city was occupied by the Union Army.
Admission is $5 per person. Tickets can be purchased online, or by cash or check at the door. Space is limited and reservations are recommended. Groups of seven or more should contact (703) 746-4739 at least one week in advance to arrange a time to visit.
The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended. To request a reasonable accommodation, e-mail black.history@alexandriava.gov.
Freedom House Museum is located at 1315 Duke St.
February's additional opening hours are every Saturday (Feb. 3, 10, 17, and 24) from 1-5 p.m. The museum is also open regularly Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
For more information call (703) 746-4356.
