Dr Eleanor Breen, Alexandria Archaeology

Founded in 1749, Alexandria, Virginia, is a vibrant city just seven miles south of Washington, D.C. In recent years, the City of Alexandria has embarked on a major revitalization of its historic waterfront, integrating new development with park and infrastructure improvements. With a nearly 50-year-old Alexandria Archaeology program and a pioneering Archaeological Protection Code, the city remains deeply committed to preserving its buried history. The code ensures that archaeological review and excavation are factored into the development process.

As plans to transform the waterfront took shape, archaeologists launched an intensive exploration of some of the most historically significant sites within the National Register Historic District. Over the past decade, excavations have uncovered the remnants of wharves, warehouses, industries, houselots, privies, and four ship hull remnants—preserved in the waterlogged soil along the Potomac River’s edge. This talk will trace the remarkable journeys of these four ships: from their time at sea to their reuse as landfill, their rediscovery centuries later, and the efforts to preserve them for future generations.