Alexandria Friends Meeting at Woodlawn

“Is it true this land was once part of George Washington’s estate?” a visitor whispers, gazing at the modest Woodlawn Quaker Meetinghouse. Alexandria Friends Meeting at Woodlawn sits on land that was indeed once part of the vast Mount Vernon estate. Gifted to Nelly Custis Lewis and Lawrence Lewis, Washington’s adopted son, this land witnessed a dramatic transformation in the mid-19th century. Alexandria Friends Meeting at Woodlawn began not just as a place of worship, but as a bold social experiment. Quaker settlers, driven by their antislavery beliefs, purchased the land in 1846. Their mission: to create a thriving agricultural community based on free labor, proving that farming could prosper without enslaved people. These Quakers weren’t just dreamers, they were doers. They carved farms from the former plantation, established businesses, and nurtured the nearby village of Accotink. They even supported free African Americans in their pursuit of economic independence and land ownership. Alexandria Friends Meeting at Woodlawn’s very first meetinghouse isn’t the one you see today. The stately Woodlawn mansion hosted early Quaker gatherings, later moving to Miller’s Cottage at George Washington’s Gristmill and eventually a farmhouse addition before the current meetinghouse was built in 1851. The Civil War brought immense challenges to this peaceful community. Alexandria Friends Meeting at Woodlawn members faced military occupation, first by Confederate and then Union troops. The meetinghouse itself became a temporary barracks, a silent witness to the turmoil engulfing the nation. Even amidst the chaos, the Quakers continued their work, partnering with local figures like Lovelace Brown and William Holland to establish free schools for African American children, including those recently emancipated. Alexandria Friends Meeting at Woodlawn has always been more than just a building. It represents the courage of conviction, the unwavering belief in equality, and the power of community. As you stand here, imagine the Quaker farmers tending their fields, the children learning in their makeshift schools, the families wrestling with the moral dilemmas of war. Their legacy endures in this quiet space, a testament to their enduring spirit and the transformative power of faith in action.