Alexandria Black History Museum

The mission of the Black History Museum is to enrich the lives of Alexandria's residents and visitors, to foster tolerance and understanding among all cultures and to stimulate appreciation of the diversity of the African American experience.
Page updated on December 12, 2024 at 11:36 AM
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Alexandria Black History Museum

The Alexandria Black History Museum includes the Museum, the Watson Reading Room, and the Alexandria African American Heritage Park. Other African American historic sites in Alexandria include the Freedom House Museum, the Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial, and sites along the African American Heritage Trail.

These sites are part of the African American History Division. This division, formed in 2023, will ensure the continued inclusion of Black History in City museums and public programming, as well as advancing the City’s goal of building a welcoming community through equity and inclusion.

 

kwanzaa candles

Kwanzaa at the Alexandria Black History Museum

December 14 (Purchase tickets, $3 per person)
Learn about the origins, concepts, practices, and foods of Kwanzaa! Members of the staff will share the historical foundation of Kwanzaa and its seven principles. Program includes a candle lighting, a food tasting, and information on craft projects will be shared.
Participants at the 5th anniversary walk through the gates into the cemetery

Visit Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial

A candlelight vigil marked the 10th anniversary of the Memorial's dedication. The Memorial honors the hundreds of African Americans who died in Alexandria during the Civil War. Many were refugees from bondage in Maryland and Virginia, who were seeking protection under Union soldiers. Learn about this community and the cemetery's history and preservation.

Exhibit: Moss H. Kendrix: Reframing the Black Image

Moss H. Kendrix: Reframing the Black Image Exhibit

Moss Kendrix Collection

"Moss H. Kendrix: Reframing the Black Image" is a new exhibit at the Alexandria Black History Museum. Celebrating the life and pioneering work of Kendrix, "The Father of Black P.R.," this exhibition showcases his groundbreaking campaigns and enduring influence on consumer culture.

Visit the Museum and Related Sites

Alexandria Black History Museum

Plan Your Visit

The Alexandria Black History Museum is open Thursdays and Fridays 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturdays 11 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sundays 1-5 p.m. This page directions and additional information to assist in planning your visit. 

Watson Reading Room

Watson Reading Room

The Watson Reading Room currently has over 4,000 holdings documenting African American history. Books, periodicals, dissertations, and theses are accessible by patrons. This library is a non-circulating facility.

Alexandria African American Heritage Park

Alexandria African American Heritage Park

The Park, on Holland Lane, is open dawn to dusk.

Freedom House Museum with historic marker (credit, R. Kennedy for Visit Alexandria)

Freedom House Museum

The Freedom House Museum at 1315 Duke Street is open with three new exhibitions showcasing Alexandria’s Black history and the Black experience in America.

Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial with sculpture and wall of names

Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial

Located at 1001 S. Washington Street. Open dawn to dusk.

cover of GIS StoryMap for AAHT North Route

African American Heritage Trail

Alexandria’s African American history is told through an online StoryMap and can be experienced in-home on your computer or on your smartphone as you walk the trails along the Potomac River.

History and Collections

Robert H. Robinson Library, ca. 1940

History of the Museum

Learn about the 1939 Sit-Down Strike and the Robert H. Robinson Library.

Moss Kendrix CocaCola Ad Set-Up

Collections

Read about the Museum’s collections, including Moss Kendrix (pictured above), and see selected collections online, including the Black Lives Remembered Collection, Carlton Funn, and the Parker-Gray Archives.

Black Lives Matter Collection: Mask and Pins

Black Lives Matter

See the Museum's new exhibit, Preserving Their Names: The Black Lives Remembered Collection.

1939 Sit-In at Alexandria Library

History of Alexandria’s African American Community

Alexandria's African American history includes a vibrant Black population dating to the 18th century, one of the largest slave trading operations, and America's first Sit-Down Strike in the early days of the Civil Rights movement.

The Fort Heritage Trail Sign: From Civil War to Civil Rights

The Fort: A Post-Civil War Community

Learn about the history and archaeology of The Fort: A Post-Civil War African American Community, and about the Interpretive Plan for Fort Ward Park that will include the full range of its history, especially including the African American experience.

Girls in front of school entrance

Black Education in Alexandria

Learn about the history of Black education in Alexandria, from 1793 to today.

Washington Revels, Jubilee Voices (Photo, Tim Ervin/NPS)

Virtual Programming

Watch lectures, concerts and more about Alexandria's African American history and culture.

Support Alexandria Black History Museum

On the Point

Make a Gift

Celebrate the power and impact of community philanthropy by supporting the Alexandria Black History Museum and Historic Alexandria!

The Equal Justice Initiative pillar records two documented lynchings in Alexandria

Alexandria Community Remembrance Project

The Alexandria Community Remembrance Project (ACRP) is a city-wide initiative dedicated to helping Alexandria understand its history of racial terror hate crimes and to work toward creating a welcoming community bound by equity and inclusion. Learn more, read the newsletter, and become involved.

Juneteenth sign: Celebrating with the Alexandria Black History Museum

Programs and Events

Learn about our annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Black History Month, Juneteenth and Kwanzaa programs, and upcoming events. View lectures and concerts online.

More Information

Contact the Museum

Alexandria Black History Museum
902 Wythe Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314 
703.746.4356

Contact the Museum (Alex311)

Social Media

Check out these Historic Alexandria social media platforms:

Mission Statement

The mission of the Alexandria Black History Museum is to enrich the lives of Alexandria’s residents and visitors, to foster tolerance and understanding among all cultures and to stimulate appreciation for the diversity of the African American experience.  The Alexandria Black History Museum accomplishes its mission by inspiring the public to explore the integral relationship between Alexandria’s African American heritage and other cultural traditions.

Educational Resources

Educational Resources at the Alexandria Black History Museum

The Alexandria Black History Museum offers a variety of tours and programs for students of all ages. Schedule a visit, borrow an outreach kit, and see lesson plans.

Rentals and Private Events

Rentals and Private Events at Alexandria Black History Museum

The Museum and the adjacent Watson Reading Room can be rented for private events.

Volunteering

Volunteering at the Black History Museum

Share your skills, enthusiasm and time by volunteering at the Black History Museum. Some volunteer activities may take place at other locations such as Freedom House Museum and the African American Heritage Park.