Hepburn, Moses, Rowhouses
Also known as: Dhr#100-5015-0004
Why it's listed
Four connected brick rowhouses at 206-212 North Pitt Street in Alexandria were built by Moses Hepburn after he purchased the lots in 1850. Each is two bays wide and two stories tall, laid in American bond and covered by a shared side-gable standing-seam metal roof. The units form two mirror-image pairs with side-hall plans. Unit 206 was given Victorian details in the late nineteenth century, including window hoods and a bracketed door surround. The houses are listed because of Hepburn. Born into slavery in 1809 and freed in 1816, he received an education in Pennsylvania, then built a business in Alexandria selling water and developing residential and commercial property. He helped found Davis Chapel, served as first president of a missionary society, and taught at a Sabbath school. Hepburn lived on the site until he moved to West Chester, Pennsylvania, in 1853. The buildings remain in residential use.
Significance in brief: The rowhouses are significant for their association with Moses Hepburn, a prominent African American businessman and civic leader. Born a slave in 1809 and freed in 1816, he became a successful entrepreneur and landowner in antebellum Alexandria. He lived on the site until moving to West Chester, Pennsylvania, in 1853.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 03001426, listed January 16, 2004. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 206-212 N. Pitt St., Alexandria (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Alexandria |
| Listed | January 16, 2004 |
| Reference number | 03001426 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1850-1853 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown (built by Moses Hepburn) |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Black |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as single-family dwellings; all four units are painted brick with rear additions, and unit 206 was updated in the late nineteenth century. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Alexandria Historic District |
| Coordinates | 38.80839, -77.04436 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 03001426.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6915816
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.