Historic Samplers with Barbara Hutson
Trace faded letters and learn stitch vocabulary with historian-instructor Barbara Hutson in Alexandria. This two-hour workshop links Quaker samplers to the Oblate Sisters of Providence and the region’s educational history.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
2 hours
Fitness Level
No special fitness required; activity is seated and suitable for most visitors
Wildlife
History
The program highlights the Oblate Sisters of Providence and their role teaching free and enslaved people, connecting textile objects to the city’s 19th-century educational history.
Conservation
Handle historic textiles only when instructed; following venue rules helps preserve fragile fibers and supports long-term public access.
Woodlawn and Pope-Leighey House
Historic Samplers with Barbara Hutson
Woodlawn and Pope‑Leighey House, located in Alexandria, Virginia, preserves and interprets two distinct American landmarks. Woodlawn reflects a narrative that moves from plantation origins connected to George Washington to an antislavery farming community and active working farm. Pope‑Leighey House is a Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian design preserved for its architectural significance and natural setting. Together the sites offer a range of guided tours and specialty experiences that deepen understanding of architecture, regional history, and landscape.
Public offerings include house tours of Woodlawn and of Pope‑Leighey House, combined visits, and thematic tours such as “Slavery and Freedom,” “Architecture of Woodlawn & Pope‑Leighey House,” and a Lafayette specialty tour that explores Marquis de Lafayette’s 1824 connections to the Custis and Lewis families. Seasonal and limited-capacity events include “Wright at Twilight,” Yoga Nidra led by instructor Emily Hampton, Forest Bathing with guided mindfulness, and community programs like a pizza-and-history evening. Tours and experiences are led by named guides and instructors, offering documented perspectives on design, preservation, and community legacy.
The site supports ongoing preservation with visitor programs, and the grounds include a working farm and a gift shop that highlights local crafts. Small-group experiences and limited tickets for specialized sessions provide intimate access to sites and stories. Woodlawn and Pope‑Leighey House combines architectural significance, historical interpretation, and active stewardship to provide informative visits and meaningful public programming. Visitor support through admissions and events helps fund preservation, interpretation, educational programming, and ongoing stewardship of these significant historic properties for present and future generations alike.
Location
Alexandria, VA
Historic site in Northern Virginia
Tours Offered
10
Guided and specialty experiences
Notable Architect
Frank Lloyd Wright
Pope‑Leighey House Usonian design
Working Farm
On‑site
Honors Woodlawn's agrarian roots
Book guided tours, specialty events, or combined visits to support preservation and experience architecture and history firsthand.
Bring close-vision aids
Fine threads and small stitches are easier to read with reading glasses or a loupe—pack them if you use them.
Register early
Class size is limited to preserve table space and lighting; book in advance via the referral link.
Follow handling rules
Only handle textiles when instructed and use gentle movements to avoid stressing antique fibers.
Combine with a riverside walk
Schedule the workshop on a day you also explore the Potomac waterfront to balance indoor learning with outdoor context.
Reading glasses or magnifier
Makes small stitches and faded marks easier to inspect.
Notebook and pen
Record motifs, dates, and references you want to research later.
Comfortable layered clothing
Indoor venues can be cool; layers keep you comfortable during concentrated work.
Small fabric scissors
Useful for personal practice pieces if allowed by the instructor.