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Image for event: Colonial Crafternoon

Colonial Crafternoon

Potpourri & Pomanders
2026-01-11 14:00:00 2026-01-11 15:00:00 America/New_York Colonial Crafternoon Learn the art of making potpourri and pomanders, crafts that were popular during Colonial America. Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room

Sunday, January 11
2:00pm - 3:00pm

Add to Calendar 2026-01-11 14:00:00 2026-01-11 15:00:00 America/New_York Colonial Crafternoon Learn the art of making potpourri and pomanders, crafts that were popular during Colonial America. Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room

Learn the art of making potpourri and pomanders, crafts that were popular during Colonial America.

Pomanders and potpourri enjoyed wide use during the colonial era.  Pomanders are balls of perfumed materials made of ingredients like ambergris, musk or spices.  Oranges and cloves are often used to create pomanders.  People carried them, in the belief, that they warded off disease and unpleasant smells.  The word pomander derives from the French pomme d'ambre or apple amber.  Potpourri is a mixture of dried plant materials that provide a pleasant scent.  Potpourri is derived from the word pot-pourri, which is the French name for a Spanish stew with many ingredients called, olla podrida.  It is sometimes used as an alternative for the word medley.

AGE GROUP: | Teens | Seniors | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Special Event | Maker |

TAGS: | Crafts | america250 | Alex250 |

Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
dprice@alexlibraryva.org
Phone: 703.746.1702
Fax: 703.746.1763
Branch manager
Diana Price
Hours
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We're closed Friday May 15 due to Staff Development Day
Mon, May 11 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, May 12 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, May 13 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, May 14 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, May 15 Closed
(Staff Development Day)
Sat, May 16 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, May 17 1:00PM to 5:00PM
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About the branch

Parking: The library has a large parking lot with 175 spaces.

Public Transit:

  • Metrorail: King Street Station (Yellow & Blue Lines 3.2 miles); Van Dorn Station (Blue Line 2.1 miles)
  • Metrobus: F23, F24, A28
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For reasonable disability accommodation, contact jgregorio@alexlibraryva.org or call 703.746.1701 or TTY 703.746.1790.

Upcoming Events

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Wed, May 13, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2
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Wed, May 13, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Small Conference Room
This volunteer-led workshop provides a space for intermediate speakers to practice English and build confidence. No registration required. No certificates of completion are issued.
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Thu, May 14, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Large Meeting Room
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Large Meeting Room
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Large Meeting Room
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Mon, May 18, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Small Conference Room
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Large Meeting Room
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2
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Wed, May 20, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Small Conference Room
This volunteer-led workshop provides a space for intermediate speakers to practice English and build confidence. No registration required. No certificates of completion are issued.
English Language Learning (ELL) 1 Workshop - Beginner Conversation
Thu, May 21, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Beginning English practice for English language learners. No registration needed or prior level of English. These workshops are led by volunteers and do not include certificates of completion.
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Large Meeting Room
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Large Meeting Room
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Wed, May 27, 10:30am - 11:00am
Large Meeting Room
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2
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Large Meeting Room
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2
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Small Conference Room
This volunteer-led workshop provides a space for intermediate speakers to practice English and build confidence. No registration required. No certificates of completion are issued.
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Large Meeting Room
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Large Meeting Room
Baby storytime, plus opportunities to build relationships with other caretakers of young children! For ages 0-14 months, accompanied by an adult. 15 months and older, please attend 1s and 2s.
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Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden,Large Meeting Room
Join Jorge Banales as he gives free instruction on the Yang Style 24 Movement Tai Chi form on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month. Free and open to the public.
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