In compliance with the governor’s Stay-at-Home order, the Office of Historic Alexandria (OHA) sites are closed and public programs are cancelled until further notice. The Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum will reopen first when Northern Virginia enters Phase II of the Commonwealth’s Forward Virginia Plan in mid-to-late June. Refer to the Calendar for the status of Commission and other departmental associated meetings.

Miss visiting your favorite Historic Alexandria sites? Looking for some fun historic activities to share with your kids at home? Let our staff bring history virtually to you! 

As redevelopment takes place along the waterfront, archaeologists are learning more about the city’s maritime past. Learn about the discovery of four 18th-century ships, wharves and warehouses, and the current effort to record the ship timbers with 3D scanning, and consider a generous donation to the Save Our Ships Fund.

Location, hours, directions, and everything you need to know to visit the Alexandria Archaeology Museum. No Admission Charge.
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CANCELLED - Summer Camp 2020. Camp provides an opportunity for 12-15 year olds to work on a real archaeological dig. This year, it is not possible for campers to do hands-on work under careful supervision of staff while following CDC, state, and local guidelines. Next year’s camp will be widened to include campers age 12-16. Dates will be announced in January 2021. 

The Ramsey Homes, a former public housing project on North Patrick Street, is being replaced by a mixed income community with low-income and market-rate units. The documentation of the history and architecture of the Ramsey Homes was undertaken as part of the historic preservation process required by Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and can be viewed here. 

Archaeological studies conducted between 1996 and 2007 provided tangible evidence of the cemetery's survival after more than 125 years of neglect and destruction. Of the approximately 1,800 graves once located in the cemetery, more than 500 were identified through archaeological investigations. 

The 20th century African American community known as The Fort is the focus of an effort by the Office of Historic Alexandria to study and preserve the post-Civil War historic resources of Fort Ward Park. Archaeological excavations in the park, historical research, and oral histories highlight our growing knowledge of this community.

An ongoing excavation on Shuter's Hill near the Masonic Memorial is exploring the Mills/Lee/Dulaney plantation, built in 1782. The mansion house burned in 1842, and was replaced by a larger brick house that was used by Union troops during the Civil War. Shuter's Hill also became the site of two Union forts in the Defenses of Washington.