Workhouse Arts Center — Attraction in Lorton

As a history nerd, I geek out about places like Workhouse Arts Center. It's a former prison redeveloped into a community for the arts. Here's what you should know before visiting:

1. History: The arts center is part of the 3,2000-acre campus of an early 20th century prison called the D.C. Workhouse and Reformatory. At the time, it opened as a model for prison reform envisioned by President Teddy Roosevelt. Over the years, it become more of a working camp with the last prisoner exiting in 2001 before it closed for good. The campus is being redeveloped into many things, but the Workhouse Arts Center was one of the first to open in the old prison in 2008.

2. Space: It's definitely set up like the old prison with several Colonial Revival brick buildings flank a large green space. Each brick building houses art galleries and centers that offer classes from ceramics to glass blowing. There's also a small museum about the prison's history and plaques outside explaining the history.

3. Art: Several of the buildings have art on them, including several murals throughout the campus. It's fun to find them all, especially the older murals.

4. Events: On top of the art classes, the arts center hosts events throughout the year. For example, during Halloween, they host a haunted house experience.

If you're into history and the arts, the Workhouse Arts Center is the...

The workhouse is probably the most dishonest organization in the Lorton area. They reserved a party room for my friends 50th birthday party several months in advance and took her deposit. Then after confirming the details and receipt of the deposit, they called her and made her switch rooms. She agreed to accommodate a smaller room so that she could continue to have her party at this location. A few days before her event was about to start, they called her and said she no longer had a room because they couldn’t accommodate two parties at once. Instead they said that they would provide compensation for her to switch her venue to a different place. She was extremely upset that she had to switch all of her party plans at the last minute but was able to find a new place. The event was held this past weekend. Then they wrote her and told her that the check was ready for her to pick up. When she went to pick up the check the CEO told her that they were no longer going to give her the check because the board decided that it was not necessary, even though she had written evidence dating all the way back to August (it’s now October) showing repeated promises that they were going to honor their side of the deal. Do NOT ever book any sort of party, room, anything at the work house. THEY WILL...

The Workhouse Arts Center is a hidden gem! It brings so much to the community-- classes, events, historic preservation, and the opportunity to pursue many art studios for FREE. With the opening of a small Bunnyman Brewing Cafe, it's truly a great place to go for a variety of interests. In every studio l've entered, l've been met with kindness and, often times, free demos. The greatest part of the Workhouse, in my opinion, is the pottery studio. If you are looking for a place to learn ceramics, this is it. I have been throwing pots for 10+ years, off and on, at different studios while moving around the country and their studio is unparalleled in many ways. The community is welcoming and prioritizing opportunities for education. Their instructors are talented and the studio provides just about everything you could want to use, which is a great value. For military members, they offer a free class per semester, free workshops in various topics and a chance at a competitive residency program. I have learned more at that location than anywhere else and could not be more thankful that I found it. Thank you, Workhouse Arts for all you do and for the amazing...