Lorton, Virginia: Lorton Workhouse Museum - Suffragettes Behind Bars
Former prison, now an arts center, includes a one-room history museum. Exhibit chronicles how suffragettes were incarcerated, and force-fed during their hunger strikes.
Workhouse Arts Center
- Address:
- 9601 Ox Road, Lorton, VA
- Directions:
- Building 9, Lorton Arts Center. West of town along Hwy 123, east side.
- Hours:
- W-F Noon-3 pm, Sa-Su Noon-4 pm. (Call to verify)
- Phone:
- 703-584-2900
- Admission:
- Free - donation
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Washington DC's old penitentiary, it was the site where female suffragists picketing the White House were held, among them Alice Paul. When Paul undertook a hunger strike for her cause, she was force-fed during the fight to secure for votes for women. Now the place is used as an arts center and showcase.
[Jen, 07/23/2012]
Lorton Workhouse Museum The former prison at Lorton has been converted into an arts center where artists can create, display and sell their art. In building 9 of the complex is a one-room museum on the history of the prison, which focuses largely on the suffragettes who were imprisoned there and tortured with forced-feeding when they went on a hunger strike (there is a diorama depicting this).
The docent was very friendly and full of information, including the fact that they are planning to expand the museum in the next year. Hopefully that will include displays on former inmates Chuck Brown (the Godfather of Go-Go) and Petey Greene (host of Petey Greene's Washington and subject of a Don Cheadle fim).
[Will Zaza, 12/21/2010]Nearby Offbeat Places
- Rest Stop Dedicated by Lady Bird, Dale City, VA - 6 mi.
- Giant Water Can, Alexandria, VA - 8 mi.
- George Washington's Home, Grave, and False Teeth, Mount Vernon, VA - 9 mi.
- In the region: Washington's Mom's House, Fredericksburg, VA - 29 mi.
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The Workhouse Prison Museum is under development, tracing the history of the facility. Tours are available.