Alexandria’s 275th Anniversary
In July, the City of Alexandria commemorated its 275th anniversary. This milestone is not just a recognition of the past two centuries of progress, we will also amplify the shared experiences of our community and the collective achievements that have shaped our identity.
From April through September, we invite our community and visitors to join us for immersive historical walks, civic celebrations, educational programming, and other fun and engaging events.
Here is everyone’s chance to take part in history in the making.
About Alexandria
Founded in 1749 by Scottish merchants and named after John Alexander, Alexandria holds a special place in history as the adopted hometown of President George Washington. Over the past 275 years, the City has played a significant role in our nation’s narrative. From its dark past of being one of the largest slave-trading operations prior to the Civil War, to its current-day transformation into a highly sought-after location for tourism, residential living, and economic opportunity.
Alexandria Birthday Celebration
On Saturday, July 13, the City of Alexandria celebrated its 275th and the USA's 248th birthday at Oronoco Bay Park (100 Madison St.). The event included live music by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra and ended with a grand finale fireworks display.
ALX275 Photo Challenge
From July through November, capture the essence of Alexandria through your lens. We are looking for photos that align with the theme: “Connecting to our past to define a brighter future”
Selected photos will be featured on the City’s website and social media, displayed at city facilities, and will receive a gift bag filled with ALX275 goodies! Winners will be announced at the 2024 Holiday Tree Lighting in December.
Submit your photos by Friday, November 1, at 11:59 p.m.
Alexandria at 275: Connecting to our Past to Define a Brighter Future.
This July marks 275 years since Alexandria’s 1749 founding. Join us at events from April through September as we mark Alexandria's 275th anniversary and embark on the next chapter in our city’s vibrant history.
For Alexandria Library events reasonable disability accommodation, contact jgregorio@alexlibraryva.org.
For Historic Alexandria events reasonable disability accommodation, contact historicalexandria@alexandriava.gov.
ALX 275 Photo Gallery
Alexandria's History
Social Media Toolkit
Join in the ALX275 conversation on social media using our social media toolkit. The videos are .mp4 files and can be downloaded, then uploaded to the social media account of your choosing. Be sure to download the Instagram and Facebook carousel folder, with a series of images that can be uploaded to social media. Remember to tag your posts with #ALX275!