The Moses Hepburn Rowhouses are listed under the multiple property documentation form for African American Historic Resources of Alexandria, Virginia. Moses Hepburn, a prominent African American businessman, constructed the dwellings at 206-212 North Pitt Street. Born a slave in 1809 and freed seven years later, Hepburn became a successful entrepreneur who purchased and developed residential and commercial properties. As a civic leader, he was a founder of Davis Chapel as well as the first president of the church’s missionary society. In addition, he took care that his children received an education, and he taught at the Sabbath School of Roberts Memorial Church, the successor to Davis Chapel. Hepburn built the row houses in 1850, and he lived there until leaving Alexandria for West Chester, Pennsylvania, in 1853. The Moses Hepburn Rowhouses are a tribute to the business acumen and leadership of one of Alexandria’s remarkable African American citizens, and they contribute to the Alexandria Historic District.
Many properties listed in the registers are private dwellings and are not open to the public, however many are visible from the public right-of-way. Please be respectful of owner privacy.
Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark
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DHR has secured permanent legal protection for over 700 historic places - including 15,000 acres of battlefield lands
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