A new book opens the doors to 44 of Old Town's most historic private homes

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Most of the people who walk Old Town's brick sidewalks every year never see what's behind the historic facades. A new book is about to change that.

Old Town Style: Inside Alexandria's Most Beautiful Historic Homes, written by Robert F. Weinhagen Jr., president of the Historic Alexandria Foundation, opens the doors to 44 private residences throughout Old Town — many never before photographed or published, and not accessible to the public. The book is set for release Sept. 8 and is available for pre-order now on Amazon at $64.99.

The homes span Colonial, Federal and Victorian architecture, tracing nearly 300 years of domestic design. Among them: a rustic Colonial sea captain's house, an elegant Federal townhome, and a former 18th-century bank transformed into a private residence. Photography by architectural photographer Erik Kvalsvik captures interior styles ranging from Jacobean and early American to mid-century modern, along with exterior details and what the book describes as "secret walled gardens."

The project is rooted in preservation as much as aesthetics. Weinhagen, a longtime Old Town resident, frames the book as a portrait of how historic homes continue to evolve through thoughtful restoration rather than remaining frozen in time.

"Historic preservation is not only about buildings, but about the lives, stories, and communities that inhabit them," Weinhagen said in a statement. "This book celebrates the beauty and cultural significance of Old Town's architecture at a moment when preservation leadership is more vital than ever."

The book arrives as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary — a moment of renewed national interest in the founding era. Old Town's deep connection to George Washington and its role in early American life give the project an added timeliness. On June 30, Weinhagen presented on the book and George Washington's connection to Old Town at a Mount Vernon Library event.

All net proceeds from the book benefit the Historic Alexandria Foundation, the nonprofit that has championed Old Town preservation for decades. The book is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Morgan Delaney, HAF board chair for more than four decades, made possible through a gift from his longtime friend, Jacqueline Badger Mars.

Old Town Style is published by Pelckmans, with distribution through ACC Artbooks and Simon & Schuster. It debuted at the London Book Fair in March and will be released in Australia in July.

Pre-orders are available at Amazon. Release Day delivery is set for Sept. 8.