City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: OCTOBER 21, 2026
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: GRETCHEN BULOVA, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF HISTORIC ALEXANDRIA
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of the Acceptance of a State Grant Award for the Freedom House Interior Rehabilitation & Accessibility Improvements Project.
BODY
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ISSUE: The Commonwealth of Virginia’s budget for the 2026/2027 fiscal year includes a $1,000,000 appropriation for the Freedom House Interior Rehabilitation & Accessibility Improvements Project.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Accept the award issued on August 10, 2026 in the amount of $1,000,000, for the Freedom House Interior Rehabilitation & Accessibility Improvements Project.
(2) Authorize the City Manager to execute all the necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: The Commonwealth of Virginia’s budget for the 2026/2027 fiscal year includes a $1,000,000 appropriation for the Freedom House Interior Rehabilitation & Accessibility Improvements Project. This project was included in the 2026 legislative package.
The Freedom House Museum at 1315 Duke Street in Alexandria is a nationally significant historic site connected to the domestic slave trade. Previous work includes the exterior rehabilitation of the ca. 1812 Federal-style townhouse, completed in September 2025 by Oak Grove Restoration. This work stabilized the historic structure and restored the front façade to its appearance during the period of significance (1828-1861). Completed work included masonry repairs, paint analysis, rehabilitation of windows and woodwork, chimney stabilization, siding repairs, and water-intrusion mitigation.
Planning for the interior rehabilitation and accessibility phase is currently underway. The primary deliverable from this funding will be the construction documents and drawings necessary to guide interior rehabilitation and accessibility improvements. These documents will support improvements to visitor circulation and accessibility, including providing public access to the basement where enslaved men were held. Improving access to this space is essential to fully interpret the site’s history and providing visitors with a more complete understanding of Virginia’s complex past.
The project will be funded by the Commonwealth and matched by the City through the Office of Historic Alexandria.
DISCUSSION: This funding will support interior rehabilitation and accessibility improvements for the Freedom House museum.
FISCAL IMPACT: $1,000,000 in State funding will be matched by donation funds raised by the Office of Historic Alexandria.
ATTACHMENTS:
Award Letter.
STAFF:
Emily Baker, Deputy City Manager
Liz Williams, Deputy Director, OHA