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 September 13, 2023 at 5:30 PM

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.

 

Wreath in memory of Benjamin Thomas, lynched on August 8, 1899 (2020)

In Memoriam 2023: Benjamin Thomas August 8, 1899

The City of Alexandria invites the community to remember the 1899 lynching of Benjamin Thomas at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. The event begins in front of 401 N. St. Asaph Street with an unveiling of a new historic marker

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 3,000 holdings documenting African American history and is available for research by appointment.

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.

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

Donate

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.