City of Alexandria Est. 1749

Originally called the United States Naval Torpedo Station, the Torpedo Factory was built during World War I, and was specifically designed for the fabrications of dangerous naval ordnance. The building was barely completed when that war ended in November 1919, but it was ready for service when World War II began. It was during this time that Alexandria's development, and role in our national defense, expanded rapidly due to a huge increase in defense workers to the Washington region.

During the 1960s, the Torpedo Factory served as a storage facility for the National Archives and it was here that the documents from the famous Nuremburg Trials, which prosecuted major economic, military and political leaders of Nazi Germany after the war, were kept.

The Torpedo Factory Art Center, founded in 1974, was the result of the "sweat equity" of local residents who largely converted the vacant and deteriorated building into art studios with their own hands. It stands as one of the nation's earliest examples of the adaptive reuse of a historic building. The Torpedo Factory showcases the community's dedication to investing in arts and culture, and to providing an educational service to inspire the public. This commitment has positioned the City of Alexandria as one of the top art destinations in America.

The long tenure



of what began as a three-year experiment also illustrates that the individuals who conceived this artist "village," and the organization that was created to operate it, had a workable concept. This major cultural attraction, created form a surplus government building, has long been an anchor for the lower King Street area. It continues to serve as an invaluable arts education resource and contributes to the image of the City of Alexandria as a sophisticated community with vibrant cultural options.

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Show me all markers in:  Alexandria, VA  |  22314  |  Virginia  |  United States of America

Torpedo Factory Art Center Historical
Alexandria
Living History
Visiting Old Town
Alexandria Archaeology Museum
War of 1812
John Fitzgerald
Engin Artemel Historical
Waterfront Walk
The Port City

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