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Alexandria, Virginia, Price and Birch, Franklin and Armfield, Slave Pen, historic photos

Alexandria, Virginia, Price and Birch, Franklin and Armfield, Slave Pen, historic photo, exterior photo one

An historic photo view of Price, Birch & Co., Dealers in Slaves, Alexandria, Virginia. The original owners were Franklin & Armfield which were the largest dealers in slaves in the nation. During the 1820's to 1830's, the firm is said to have shipped 1000-1200 slaves per year to slave markets in New Orleans, Louisiana and Natchez, Mississippi.

After several changes in ownership, the last owners of the firm were Price, Birch & Co. as shown in this photo. Alexandria, Virginia (which is just outside of Washington, D.C.) was quickly captured by the Union Army near the beginning of the Civil War (1861) at which time the building was converted to a prison for Confederate prisoners. Alexandria remained within the control of Union forces for the entire duration of the war, 1861-1865. See the additional photos and description below.

Alexandria, Virginia, Price and Birch, Franklin and Armfield, Slave Pen, historic photo, exterior photo two

A view of Price, Birch & Co., Dealers in Slaves, from another angle. Note the Union soldiers who were probably guards of the Confederate soldiers who were held prisoner here.

Alexandria, Virginia, Price and Birch, Franklin and Armfield, Slave Pen, historic photo, interior photo two

A view looking into the slave holding pen at Price, Birch & Co., Dealers in Slaves, Alexandria, Virginia.

Alexandria, Virginia, Price and Birch, Franklin and Armfield, Slave Pen, historic photo, interior photo one

An interior view of the slave holding pen at Price, Birch & Co., Alexandria, Virginia. Note the doors to the left which were holding cells. A Union soldier stands guard in the entrance. All of the historic photos shown are from the Civil War period (1861-1865) when the former slave holding pens were used as a prison for captured Confederate prisoners.

This building still exists at 1315 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia and is now known as Freedom House. The building is now a National Historic Landmark and operated by the National Park Service.

See also:
Christ Church, Alexandria, Virginia
Soldiers Cemetery, Alexandria, Virginia

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