America 250: From Independence to Discovery
Follow the Story from 1776 to the Lewis and Clark Expedition

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📍 Alexandria Old Town 
 

What to do & see:

• Stroll the historic streets of Alexandria Old Town, a former colonial tobacco port founded in 1749. Known for its cobblestone streets, well-preserved 18th-century architecture, and the lively, walkable King Street Mile, the waterfront town offers a vivid glimpse into early American life.

• In January 1801, Thomas Jefferson spent the night in Alexandria while the presidential election remained undecided. Tied with Aaron Burr, Jefferson stopped after visiting Mount Vernon, where he paid condolences to Martha Washington following George Washington’s death. He stayed at Gadsby’s Tavern, then the most popular tavern in the region, paying $5.50 for the night.

• Jefferson ultimately prevailed and became the nation’s third president. Alexandria preserves this pivotal moment—one of many that connect the town directly to the Founding Fathers and the unfolding story of the early republic.

Why it matters to Lewis & Clark:

• Thomas Jefferson’s election as president made the Lewis and Clark Expedition possible. Had Aaron Burr prevailed instead, the course of westward exploration—and the nation’s future—may have unfolded very differently. Alexandria preserves this pivotal moment in the early republic, when leadership decisions shaped the path of discovery.