In addition to antiques and art, Alexandria offers many historical attractions, most open on a regular basis. Some, such as the Athenaeum and Ramsay House are historical structures which function today as visitor centers and exhibition spaces.

The Carlisle House (restored colonial mansion), Lee-Fendall House, Christ Church and St. Paul's Church, Leadbeater Apothecary Shop (recently restored and reopened) give today's visitor a look at Colonial and Federal Virginia.

Shopping is always fun in Old Town - whether you are looking for clothes, that special gift, or a unique accessory for your home, you will find something to your liking here.

Territory, a unique home furnishing and decorating shop on upper King Street is a delight! So is the specialized jewelry shop - Gold Works - where you can commission that special ring or other piece of fine jewelry.

Numerous oriental rug shops and other retailers may be found along King Street from the Potomac River end to the Masonic Temple at the west end of the street.

Another absolute "must" stop in Middlebury is Joanne Swift's Shaggy Ram - an art/antique shop and interior design center. Ms. Swift, a long-time supporter of humane treatment of animals, presides over not only a spendid collection of antiques, original sporting art and home furnishings, but runs her own animal adoption service via a wall of photos of adoptable pets.

This establishment is a treasure trove of opportunities for gifts and exquisite home decoration ob´jets d'arts. You can find a wide range of books, pillows, furniture, original oil paintings and lamps.

To your left as you enter the store, you will be greeted by a photo gallery of pets available for adoption as well as animals recently adopted (see photo to the left). This wall represents a continuation of Ms. Swift's long-term commitment to animal rescue.

Prior to her move to Middleburg and opening the Shaggy Ram, Ms. Swift was engaged in animal adoption in Eagle, Colorado, as co-founder of Eagle Valley Humane Society, recognized for its "no kill" status, which means that at least 96 percent of animals are placed in homes.

According to a July 11, 2004 article in the Vail Daily News,

"It wasn't intentional, not planned at all. They just kept showing up; either Inga Prime and Joanne Swift found them or, just as likely, the dogs and cats - and various other critters - found Inga and Joanne.

Week after week, month after month, Swift and Prime filled their homes with cats and dogs and animals in need, finding permanent homes for the menagerie where they couldn't offer their own."

On one of our frequents visits to the Shaggy Ram, we found an incredible oil painting of a "Braque St. Germain" - a handsome orange and white hunting dog.

Ms. Swift explained that the artist, Elizabeth M. Katchmer, excelled at painting copies of sporting animals, explaining that this piece, "Bell,", was a copy of an original oil by Charles Hermann-Leon, a 19th Century French genre and animal painter. (Click Here for Katchmer Biography)

We believed the price to be very reasonable and made the purchase. Subsequently, we purchased a second of Ms. Katchmer's works - a delightful portrait of two Scottish Terriers, after "Darby and Joan," by the 19th Century English artist Lilian Cheviot - and then a third, "Fox in Snow".

And, we were able to see the originals of the paintings in a book by William Secord entitled Dog Painting: The European Breeds. We found the book, of course, at the Shaggy Ram, and, of course, we bought it.

The book by Secord is the most comprehensive book to date on the history of 19th century dog paintings, including exhaustive information on the dog world and the art world of the 19th century. It also gives a historical overview of the development of more than 90 breeds. Its 400 pages contain 580 reproductions, most previously unpublished and in full color. Now in its second printing "there should be something for everyone," says author William Secord.

William Secord is the world authority on the nineteenth century dog painting and is the first author to explore the presentation of the dog from its origins to the remarkable paintings of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and up to modern times.

With regard to art, antiques, fine restaurants and hospitable merchants, it is almost impossible to enter a commercial establishment in this village without something attracting your attention. While our interest does not necessarily lie with French furniture, oil paintings on the wall of JML French Antiques drew us into the shop.

And it was there that we were introduced to the art of Anthony Barham. According to his online biography, Mr. Barham was born in London, UK, and grew up painting, restoring and gilding in the family antique business.

In 1994, he moved to Middleburg, married artist Misia Broadhead, and together they formed the Broadhead-Barham studio, accepting commissions for murals, portraits, sculpture and representational art. JML carries Misia Broadhead paintings as well. Check out their web site to see their amazing art. It took two visits to JML, but we purchased the splendid red fox painting you see here to the right.

Also in the downtown area is a wonderful art gallery/shop called, appropriately, "The Studio." We heard about The Studio from one of our favorite local artists, Carol Dupré whose works were going on display at The Studio beginning on October 1, 2004.

We finally visited her exhibition and, true to form, bought a small picture from her "Alice in Wonderland" series (Click Here for a Photo of Our Purchase).

For many years, Carol had her studio at the Torpodo Factory in Old Town Alexandria and that's where we first became acquainted with her art. Over the years, beginning in the late 1970's, we have purchased nine of her pictures.

The Studio is perfectly suited for all types of exhibitions and was just perfect for Carol's work. Carol likes to create large pictures and there were a bunch of them on display. Many people might consider her work as somewhat eccentric if not strange. (Click Here for Biographical Information on Carol Dupré)

We find her paintings intriguing, colorful, delightful, and thoughtful - and yes, some border on disturbing. Check out her web site at www.cmdupre.com/. After viewing her site, you will most likely want to send for her CD with more than 100 images of her work - email your request to cmdupre@starpower.net - it will definitely be worth your effort.

To quote from her exhibition announcement regarding her style: "The value is in a process of an uneasy tracing of life, the universe, the human spirit. Each painting is a translucent, fluid balance of imaginary iconic symmetries and veritable celebration of paint."

Uh huh!! Well, we love her work and have managed to merge the paintings among 18th and 19th century oils along with American Empire and Victorian furniture.

Indicative of the scope and variety of this gallery's displays, The Studio in Middleburg had a November 2004 "Sculpture Show" which featured the works of Nic Fiddian Green, J. Michael Lowe and Peter Power. Here are notes from the show's brochure:

Where else to eat, one might ask (other than the Red Fox Inn noted above)? Locals eat at The Coach Stop Restaurant; at breakfast and lunch, riding apparel is the dress of the moment. (You can always tell the Middleburg natives - they're the ones not dressed up!) Service here, whether visitor or local, is always friendly and efficient.

The last time we were there, the waitress recognized us as having been there before! The Coach Stop has the winning combination of fresh, tasty food, pleasant atmosphere, and exceptional service.

After any of their superb sandwiches and sides, take the time and try the "hunter's pudding" at the Coach Stop - it's great!

Our Rating (Five Chefs is Highest)