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Unseen Old Town Alexandria: Dee Campbell Boat House

Photos and caption by “Governor” Burke

Alexandria, VA – You probably recognized last month’s Unseen Old Town photo as the boat house of the Alexandria High School rowing program. It’s named for beloved rowing coach, Dee Campbell, who began coaching as the Francis Hammond High School Rowing Coach in 1957.

You may not be aware that competitive rowing on the Potomac finds its roots at the foot of King Street – the site of the original Old Dominion Boat Club, founded in 1880. In 1947 the Boat Club started sponsoring the boys rowing team for George Washington High School.

Later on, in the 1950s, the Boat Club sponsored Hammond High School crew. Campbell, who coached for 47 years, was integral in the success of the program, especially the girls teams, which began in 1974. The ladies won nine National Championships in the 1980s and 1990s. Campbell also took took the first Virginia high school girls team to the Henley Regatta in England.

Into the 1960s, the boys teams rowed out of the Boat Club. As the program grew, and with the addition of a third high school, T.C. Williams, more space was needed. The operation expanded next door to the Torpedo Factory, sharing space with it’s main tenant, The Federal Records Center. This predates the Torpedo Factory Art Center, which opened in 1974.

In 1986 the Dee Campbell Rowing Center was completed and occupied by the T.C. Williams Boys and Girls Rowing teams at the foot of Madison Street. It remains the only high school boathouse owned by a public school in Northern Virginia.

Have you noticed this around town? Where is it? What do you know about it?

To see more quirky photos and close-up angles of secret and not-so-secret spots in Old Town, Alexandria, and jump in with guesses, and comments, follow the discussion, and submit your own photos for consideration, join the Unseen Old Town Facebook group!

As for the photo above, we will reveal what it is and where it is in our next issue, along with a new one for you to ponder.

ICYMI: Understand Alexandria’s Past or Your Own: A Virtual Conversation With Oral Historians

Governor Burke

Alexandra resident and noted history buff Governor Burke has been posting his “Unseen Old Town” photos for years on his personal Facebook page but recently started “Unseen Old Town” as a public group. He says, “The idea is a little about stopping to see and smell the roses all around us. We’re so busy in our daily activities that we often overlook items of beauty or historical interest.” To see more quirky photos and close-up angles of secret and not-so-secret spots in Old Town, jump in with guesses or comments, follow the discussion, and submit your own photos for consideration, join the group! On your Facebook page, tap the word Groups in the menu on the left-hand side. Then tap the search bar at the top of your screen and enter Unseen Old Town. Tap the group name in the results and tap Join Group.

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