Boot scrapers

During the Colonial era, streets were largely unpaved or lined with brick and mud. Sturdy and made of wrought iron, boot scrapers were positioned into the front stoops of homes and other establishments to persuade visitors to remove grime and grunge from the bottom of their boots prior to entering.

Those featured here are located in Old Town Alexandria. Several remain in their initial position while others have been carefully removed from the original concrete and reinstalled during a renewal of the stoop.