Red Cross Eastern HQ (former Portner Plant)
Alexandria, Alexandria, Virginia
Marker Inscription
This building, originally built as a bottling plant for the Robert Portner brewing company in 1912 was purchased along with the land surrounding it by the American National Red Cross in the spring of 1941. It served as the organization's eastern operations headquarters until 1992.
Erected by American Red Cross
The Story
This Alexandria building began in 1912 as a bottling plant for the Robert Portner brewing company. In the spring of 1941 the American National Red Cross purchased it and the surrounding land, converting the industrial site into the organization's eastern operations headquarters. It served the Red Cross in that role until 1992.
Why it matters
The building's shift from brewery to Red Cross headquarters captures how American industrial sites were repurposed for humanitarian service across the 20th century.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Musuem0.5 mi away · 105;107 South Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA
- Torpedo Factory Art Center0.5 mi away · 105 North Union Street, VA
- Versailles Art & Rugs0.5 mi away · 923 King Street, Alexandria, VA
- Friendship Fire Station0.5 mi away · 107 South Alfred Street, Alexandria, VA
- Lyceum Museum0.5 mi away · 700 Prince Street, Alexandria, VA
- Athenaeum0.5 mi away · 201 Prince Street, Alexandria
Attractions
- Memorial Pool0.2 mi away · 901 Wythe Street
- African American Heritage Park Sculpture1.0 mi away · 500 Holland Lane, Alexandria
- Del Ray Poetry Fence1.2 mi away
- Geodesic Dome1.2 mi away
- George Washington Masonic National Memorial1.2 mi away · 101 Callahan Drive, Alexandria, VA
- World War I-Era Rudder1.3 mi away
Food & drink
- Momo Sushi & Cafe0.3 mi away · 212 Queen Street, Alexandria, VA
- Elaine's0.3 mi away · 208 Queen Street, Alexandria, VA
- Caphe Banh Mi0.3 mi away · 407 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA
- Jack's Place0.3 mi away · 222 North Lee Street, Alexandria, VA
- Overwood0.3 mi away · 220 North Lee Street, Alexandria, VA
- Gadsby's Tavern0.4 mi away · 138 North Royal Street, Alexandria, VA
Places to stay
- Sheraton Suites Alexandria Old Town0.2 mi away · 801 North Saint Asaph Street, Alexandria, VA
- The Satire Autograph Collection0.3 mi away · 625 First Street, Alexandria, VA
- Hotel Heron0.5 mi away · 699 Prince Street, Alexandria, VA
- Hotel Heron0.5 mi away · 699 Prince Street
- Morrison House Old Town Alexandria, Autograph Collection0.5 mi away · 116 South Alfred Street, Alexandria, VA
- Hotel Indigo Old Town Alexandria0.6 mi away · 220 South Union Street, Alexandria, VA
Places data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hours and details change — call ahead.
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Themes & tags
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