Carlyle House
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Carlyle House
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The Carlyle House in 2009
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| Location | 121 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria, Virginia |
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| Coordinates | 38°48′19″N 77°2′32″W / 38.80528°N 77.04222°WCoordinates: 38°48′19″N 77°2′32″W / 38.80528°N 77.04222°W |
| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1752 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP Reference # | 69000333 |
| VLR # | 100-0010 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | November 12, 1969 |
| Designated VLR | May 13, 1969 |
Carlyle House is an historic mansion in Alexandria, Virginia, United States, built by Scottish merchant John Carlyle in 1751–53. It is situated in the city's Old Town on North Fairfax Street between Cameron and King Streets.
When the lots for the new town of Alexandria were auctioned in July 1749, Carlyle purchased lots 41 and 42, situated between the Potomac River and the town's market square, ideal for his merchant business. He began construction of a house in 1751, using indentured and slave labor. The home was built in mid-Georgian style with space for entertaining and private family and servant use. He also built a number of outbuildings for both household and business needs. Carlyle and his wife, Sarah née Fairfax, moved into the house on 1 August 1753, the day Sarah gave birth to Carlyle's first son, William. Carlyle or someone associated with the house's construction is believed to have sealed the body of a cat within the house's foundation for good luck, a custom that was prevalent in the British Isles and northern Europe. The cat's remains were discovered during restoration work in the 1970s.
In 1755, the house was the initial headquarters for Major-General Edward Braddock in the Colony of Virginia during the French and Indian War. The Congress of Alexandria convened in the dining room of the house and here Braddock decided to make an expedition to Fort Duquesne which would result in his death. He was urged not to undertake the expedition by native Virginian George Washington who was then a volunteer aide-de-camp to Braddock. Braddock first suggested the idea of levying additional new taxes on the colonists to help with the cost of the war at the house.
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