In 1834 Benjamin Hallowelli interested his fellow citizens in founding a lyceum, or cultural center, in Alexandria, and five years later this Greek Revival structure was built to house a library, lecture rooms and natural history exhibits. Many prominent 19C figures spoke here, including the renowned orator Daniel Webster. After serving as a Civil War hospital, private home and office building, the building was restored in 1974. Today it houses a museum featuring changing exhibits on state and local history.