Polly Hulfish Collection (MS408)

Marianne Minnigerode Maigne “Polly” was born July 24, 1906 in Manila, Philippine Islands, to Charles Minnigerode Maigne and Florence English Davidson Maigne, while her father was stationed as a Lieutenant in the Army's 7th Cavalry. After her parents' divorce, Polly lived with her grandparents in Alexandria, Virginia, where her mother was a successful house preservationist and landlord. Polly studied art at the Corcoran and at the National School of Fine and Applied Art and became a decorative artist. Her talents and abilities were in constant demand until she was well into mid-life when her focus turned to the renovation and restoration of historic properties.

Polly married Tom Hulfish, Jr., in 1929. After Polly's mother died in 1942, she inherited the family home along with her mother's rental properties. Renovating her own home, managing rental houses, as well as keeping up with her art commissions, and raising her children kept her busy until the late 1950's, when she decided it was time to update the rental properties. While renovating these houses, she purchased others to save and restore. This marks the beginning of her passion for saving historic homes that otherwise might have met the wrecking ball. In January 1961, she founded Old Alexandria Restoration, Inc. From 1961 through 1974, this organization dramatically transformed approximately 50 houses in Alexandria. These homes became known as "Polly Houses." She was involved in many additional, smaller restoration and renovation projects, and thus her influence was extensive within the Old Historic District of Alexandria.

Polly served on Alexandria's Board of Architectural Review (BAR) for nine years. She was honored both by the city of Alexandria and the Alexandria Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission for the work she did within the Old and Historic District of Alexandria. Polly retired from her position on the BAR in 1976 and died October 17, 1981.