Where history resides, bit by bit

The Collingwood Library and Museum on Americanism is an eclectic collectionlocated on a prime piece of real estate.

The museum is housed in a restored 200-year-old mansion on the edge of George Washington’s River Farm estate. Located on the George Washington Memorial Parkway near Alexandria, the grounds slope gently downward, offering a spectacular view of the Potomac River.

The museum itself was founded in 1978 by the Foundation for the Collingwood Library and Museum on Americanism, a nonprofit group that seeks to promote appreciation of life, liberty and freedom of religion and expression.

The artifacts at the museum are all donations from supporters, which makes for a motley mix.

The first floor is dedicated to the library. In one room is the Mayflower library, given over to records pertaining to Mayflower descendants. It is a popular stop for genealogists, says assistant curator Barbara Baker.

“We get visitors stop in who heard they had family who came over on the Mayflower and want to verify that,” Mrs. Baker says.

The other reading rooms are stocked with all things American history. Want to find an out-of-print book about Dwight D. Eisenhower? There’s a good chance it’s here. Need information about the South in the 1920s? Presidents? World War II? Pull up a chair and read all about it.

The museum part of the house, mostly located on the second floor, may interest school-age children who have a fascination with “found items.” Perusing the displays is kind of like combing through your grandfather’s attic — there will be history hits, but also misses.

They include a reproduction of the Magna Carta; an iron bolt from the Capitol building, circa 1859; and a sword of Solomon from the Masonic Society, which has a heavy presence in the museum.

In one room are portraits of historical figures such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and Paul Revere (all of whom were Masons). Touch the frame near the portraits, and an audio recording offers more information on the men.

There are muskets and Indian arrowheads, Confederate money and a Civil War diary. There is a Sioux Indian headdress with 87 eagle feathers, as well as other tribal accouterments such as an ax head, rugs and bowls from various tribes.

The house itself tells an interesting story. It was the home of George Washington’s overseer, Sam Johnson. It then housed Tobias Lear, Mr. Washington’s former military aide.

The estate was later renamed Collingwood. It housed a dairy farm in the late 1800s, then was a restaurant off and on for 42 years. During World War II, it was an intelligence school for the U.S. Army and provided housing for Army officers.

When you go:

Location: Collingwood Libraryand Museum on Americanism is at 8301 East Boulevard Drive south of Alexandria.

Directions: Take the George Washington Memorial Parkway past Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Take a left onto East Boulevard Drive, just past River Farm.

Hours: The library and museum are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Wednesday through Saturday and from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Admission: Free.

Parking: Plenty of parking in lot.

More information: 703/765-1652 or www.collingwoodlibrary.com.

Notes: The Collingwood Library and Museum on Americanism is a collection of patriotic memorabilia housed in a 200-year-old mansion. There is an eclectic mix of portraits, weapons, medals and personal items that were donated by patrons. The first floor is a library featuring titles pertaining to American history, geography and genealogy.