Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House

As a National Trust for Historic Preservation site, we believe that all Americans have a right to learn about their own history by visiting the places that surround us. This historic site is dedicated to filling in the gaps of our cultural heritage, particularly the stories of enslaved and freed Black communities, as well as the stories of their descendants. Take a look at our interpretation themes. All of our properties are on 126 historic acres in Alexandria, Virginia, and they include two historic properties and one working farm. It was built in 1805, and it was given to Nelly Custis and Lawrence Lewis as a gift by President George Washington. The site was used as a plantation, and the couple enslaved over 90 people while operating it. The Pope-Leighey House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, is also located on the grounds, where visitors can explore and be inspired by the Usonian architecture and a vision for affordable, well-designed housing that Wright envisioned. We co-own the land with our partner, Arcadia Farm for Sustainable Agriculture, whose mission is to create a more equitable and sustainable local food system in the greater Los Angeles area. Our activities are spread out throughout the grounds and trails, and they are designed to promote learning as well as wellbeing as well as respite and enjoyment of the natural environment and its history. Immersive experiences, exhibitions, performances, and thought-provoking art are used to bring these stories and discussions to life. Across the grounds of Woodlawn and Pope-Leighey House, two historic homes situated on 120 acres of agricultural land farmed by our non-profit partner Arcadia, are intertwined tales of community transformation. Visit our exhibits and learn about our virtual and on-site programming to get a sense of the many ways that our site explores our long history and raises the voices of enslaved people. Learn more about our rich history and our steadfast commitment to telling the complete story of America by visiting this page. Every celebration is celebrated with us because we are a space where everyone is welcome. In addition, we are always accepting wedding and event inquiries outside of our peak wedding season (April - November). Virtual and in-person wedding tours are currently being scheduled by appointment, and our historic estate will be open to the public for historic tours until December 13, 2021. Please take a look at our wedding brochure and gallery pages to get a sense of what we have to offer in terms of space and services.