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Alexandria to Honor Suffragists Tortured at Occoquan Workhouse
Alexandria to Honor Suffragists Tortured at Occoquan Workhouse
Landmark Suffragist Court Case was Decided in Alexandria
Thursday, Aug. 26 9-9:30 a.m.
Corner of South Saint Asaph and Prince Streets
RSVP online through this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/quiet-sentinels-historic-marker-dedication-tickets-166454575115
The Office of Historic Alexandria and Alexandria Celebrates Women will dedicate a historic marker to recognize the women who bravely endured imprisonment and brutality in their efforts to gain the vote for all American women.
The tabletop marker – designated as part of the Alexandria Heritage Trail – was recently installed near the intersection of Prince and South Saint Asaph Streets in Old Town Alexandria. The site housed the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in the early 20th century. The third-floor courtroom was located in the old Customs House, which stood on the corner of South Saint Asaph and Prince Streets. The formal dedication will be held outdoors with a reception and the inaugural guided tour of the new Alexandria Women’s History Walk to immediately follow.
The marker reads:
Suffragist Prisoners at Occoquan: In November 1917, 32 suffragists were arrested in Washington, D.C. for allegedly “blocking traffic” on a Pennsylvania Avenue sidewalk. They were sent to the District of Columbia workhouse at nearby Occoquan, Virginia. The women were subjected to undue hardships and torture, resulting in the infamous November 14, 1917 “Night of Terror.” A number of women prisoners were threatened, beaten and hurled against walls and floors. A few days later, force feedings began. The suffragist prisoners were eventually freed from Occoquan following a hearing in Alexandria’s federal courthouse.
ABOUT THIS EVENT: In 1917, the “Quiet Sentinels,” 32 suffragists peacefully picketing for women’s enfranchisement, were arrested in the District of Columbia on a charge of "blocking the sidewalk" and sent to the Occoquan Workhouse. On November 14, 1917, the suffragists endured the infamous “Night of Terror,” when many female prisoners were beaten and tortured.
The City of Alexandria, Virginia was, and remains, the location of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia; and was the site of the historic federal hearing on November 27, 1917, regarding the brutal treatment of suffragist prisoners held at the Occoquan Workhouse; and where their release from Occoquan was ordered.
In 1917, the Federal Courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia was housed in the United States Customs House, located at the corner of South Saint Asaph and Prince Streets. It was razed in 1930.
{snip}
Landmark Suffragist Court Case was Decided in Alexandria
Thursday, Aug. 26 9-9:30 a.m.
Corner of South Saint Asaph and Prince Streets
RSVP online through this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/quiet-sentinels-historic-marker-dedication-tickets-166454575115
The Office of Historic Alexandria and Alexandria Celebrates Women will dedicate a historic marker to recognize the women who bravely endured imprisonment and brutality in their efforts to gain the vote for all American women.
The tabletop marker – designated as part of the Alexandria Heritage Trail – was recently installed near the intersection of Prince and South Saint Asaph Streets in Old Town Alexandria. The site housed the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in the early 20th century. The third-floor courtroom was located in the old Customs House, which stood on the corner of South Saint Asaph and Prince Streets. The formal dedication will be held outdoors with a reception and the inaugural guided tour of the new Alexandria Women’s History Walk to immediately follow.
The marker reads:
Suffragist Prisoners at Occoquan: In November 1917, 32 suffragists were arrested in Washington, D.C. for allegedly “blocking traffic” on a Pennsylvania Avenue sidewalk. They were sent to the District of Columbia workhouse at nearby Occoquan, Virginia. The women were subjected to undue hardships and torture, resulting in the infamous November 14, 1917 “Night of Terror.” A number of women prisoners were threatened, beaten and hurled against walls and floors. A few days later, force feedings began. The suffragist prisoners were eventually freed from Occoquan following a hearing in Alexandria’s federal courthouse.
ABOUT THIS EVENT: In 1917, the “Quiet Sentinels,” 32 suffragists peacefully picketing for women’s enfranchisement, were arrested in the District of Columbia on a charge of "blocking the sidewalk" and sent to the Occoquan Workhouse. On November 14, 1917, the suffragists endured the infamous “Night of Terror,” when many female prisoners were beaten and tortured.
The City of Alexandria, Virginia was, and remains, the location of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia; and was the site of the historic federal hearing on November 27, 1917, regarding the brutal treatment of suffragist prisoners held at the Occoquan Workhouse; and where their release from Occoquan was ordered.
In 1917, the Federal Courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia was housed in the United States Customs House, located at the corner of South Saint Asaph and Prince Streets. It was razed in 1930.
{snip}
3 replies
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= new reply since forum marked as read
City honors suffragists’ fight with new historic marker
The new historic marker commemorating the 32 suffragists who endured terrible conditions during the 1917 "Night of Terror." (Courtesy photo)
By Cody Mello-Klein | cmelloklein@alextimes.com
The city and local women’s organization Alexandria Celebrates Women came together on Aug. 26 to dedicate a historic marker to the suffragists who endured brutal imprisonment during the 1917 “Night of Terror.”
The marker honors the 32 suffragists who were arrested in front of the White House during a silent protest for the right to vote. They were imprisoned at the Occoquan Workhouse in Lorton, Virginia and subjected to brutality and torture.
A hearing was later held in Alexandria, and the 32 women were eventually paroled pending appeal. Most of the women decided to serve out the rest of their sentences in the Washington District Jail. The marker, which is now part of the Alexandria Heritage Trail, is located at the intersection of Prince and South St. Asaph streets, which formerly housed the courtroom in which the suffragists were granted their release.
{snip}
The new historic marker commemorating the 32 suffragists who endured terrible conditions during the 1917 "Night of Terror." (Courtesy photo)
By Cody Mello-Klein | cmelloklein@alextimes.com
The city and local women’s organization Alexandria Celebrates Women came together on Aug. 26 to dedicate a historic marker to the suffragists who endured brutal imprisonment during the 1917 “Night of Terror.”
The marker honors the 32 suffragists who were arrested in front of the White House during a silent protest for the right to vote. They were imprisoned at the Occoquan Workhouse in Lorton, Virginia and subjected to brutality and torture.
A hearing was later held in Alexandria, and the 32 women were eventually paroled pending appeal. Most of the women decided to serve out the rest of their sentences in the Washington District Jail. The marker, which is now part of the Alexandria Heritage Trail, is located at the intersection of Prince and South St. Asaph streets, which formerly housed the courtroom in which the suffragists were granted their release.
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