August 29-30, 2009

Carlyle House Historic Site & Pohick Bay Park

Northern Virginia’s War of 1812 experience was recreated August 29-30, 2009 at the Carlyle House and Pohick Bay Regional Park.

Alexandrians coped with an invading force on its shores following the burning of Washington and the sacrifices made as British marines and sailors occupied the defenseless city.

Following the burning of Washington and surrender of Alexandria in August 1814, the Americans fought back at the “White House Battery” — manned by sailors of the United States Navy and Virginia militia — exchanging fire with British ships of war on the shore of the Potomac as they withdrew, under the banner of “Free Trade and Sailor’s Rights”.