Willa's Story
March 4^th is a great day. That’s the day, back in 1970, when Willa* moved from Jamaica to the States, following many of her friends who had done so in the ‘60s. First living in Fairfax, Willa and her husband moved to northwest DC after he joined her here in 1976.  Read more...

Maeda's Story
Eighty-two year old Maeda* remembers moving as a child to Alexandria from Halifax, North Carolina with her parents and five siblings. Their home on Cameron Street did not have electricity – everything was coal or kerosene powered. Coal trains used to run near her home on the way to Fannon’s and often times the train workers would throw some coal off during winter months, keeping her family warm.  Maeda also remembers the penny candy stores on Henry Street, the Majestic Restaurant on King Street, and eventually a service station and Dr. Pepper office. And Mutual Ice on Henry Street used to keep full her family’s 50-pound icebox with weekly deliveries.  Read more...

Lucinda's Story
Growing up, Lucinda, the daughter of sharecroppers, lived on a plantation in the small town of Edgefield, South Carolina. Her family raised most of their own food, never having to buy meat, milk, eggs, potatoes, sugar…, Lucinda even became an expert butter churner as a small child! Even clothes were sewn by hand from cloth bought at a nearby cotton plantation.  Read more...

Frances' Story
Frances* has spent all 61 years of her life in Alexandria though she has moved at least eight times over the years. From Patrick Street to Henry, Cameron Valley to Old Town, Fulton Street to Hume Springs… she now owns her home in the Mount Jefferson neighborhood. She has such fond memories of the City, she can’t imagine living anywhere else.  Read more...

‘Born and bred’ in Alexandria, 70 year old Elaine* loves the Del Ray home she has lived in for more than 50 years. Bought for $15,000 with her husband, it holds many great memories.  Read more...

In 1942, Cecelia and her husband, Floyd*, moved into a row home on Duke Street, promising to each other that it would be their last move!  Read more...