TranslateWelcome to Historic Alexandria
Many of the city's premier historic sites fall under the administration of the Office of Historic Alexandria, the department of City government charged with the conservation, interpretation and promotion of these links to the past. These sites bring Alexandria's varied and storied history to life. Additionally, Alexandria has many more historic sites which are open to the public and tell a significant part of the city's historical tale. The Office of Historic Alexandria is accredited by the American Alliance of Museum and is a member of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience.
Year-End Giving
Celebrate the power and impact of community philanthropy by supporting Historic Alexandria!
As we give thanks this holiday season, Historic Alexandria is grateful for our community that has continued to support us throughout the pandemic and our slow recovery.
If you have learned, laughed, or pondered anew over the last few months, consider a donation to support the individual museums or special projects of the Office of Historic Alexandria. Your support will ensure the restoration and interpretation of Freedom House, help digitize archival materials at the Alexandria Black History Museum, research the historic fabric of the Murray-Dick-Fawcett House, support new exhibit panels at the Alexandria Archaeology Museum, or help create an Alexandria Oral History Center.
Every donation helps us preserve and tell the stories that make Alexandria what it is today. Thank you for your support of Alexandria’s history and historic sites.
Upcoming Events
Now Open
Plan your Visit
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Alexandria Archaeology Museum (Open Wednesday-Sunday)
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Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum (Open Thursday-Sunday)
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Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site (Open Thursday-Sunday)
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Freedom House Museum (Open Thursday-Monday)
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Friendship Firehouse Museum (Open one Saturday a month)
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Gadsby's Tavern Museum (Open Thursday-Sunday)
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Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum (Open Wednesday-Sunday)
Closed for Renovation
Historic Alexandria Museums
More City of Alexandria Historic Sites
- Alexandria African American Heritage Park
- Alexandria Union Station (historic train station)
- Archives and Records Center (by appointment)
- Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial
- Lloyd House (administrative offices; garden open)
- Murray-Dick-Fawcett House (garden open)
Alexandria also has many fine museums and historic sites that are not City-owned. Find information on these historic attractions.
News and Information
This Day in History
About Historic Alexandria
Administration
Historic Alexandria Administration
Many of the city's premier historic sites fall under the administration of the Office of Historic Alexandria, the department of City government charged with the conservation, interpretation and promotion of these links to the past.
Read Mission Statements, Strategic Plans, and other official documents.
Archives and Records Center
The Archives & Records Center provides records management, off-site storage, and reference services to City of Alexandria agencies.
Commissions Supporting Historic Alexandria
Commissions Supporting Historic Alexandria
The City of Alexandria has a strong commitment to citizen participation as evidenced by the number of citizen boards and commissions established by City Council. These bodies compose a formal system through which citizens can advise City Council on all major issues affecting the City.
Commissions
- Alexandria Archaeological Commission
- Historic Alexandria Resources Commission
- Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission
- Public Records Advisory Commission
Committees
- George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee
- Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee
- Sister Cities Committee (Dundee and Helsingborg)
Memberships in Historic Alexandria Museums
Memberships in Historic Alexandria Museums
Become a Friend of Alexandria’s historic sites and museums. Come to special events, receive newsletters, get discounts on Museum Shop merchandise, and support history.
Rentals and Private Events at Historic Properties
Rentals and Private Events at Historic Properties
Many city-owned historic locations in Alexandria have facilities available for rent for a variety of functions, including meetings, seminars, private parties, weddings, and many other special events.
Stay Connected: Social Media and Newsletters
Stay Connected with Historic Alexandria
Stay informed with eNews, like us on Facebook, follow us on twitter, and see us on Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube.
Click on Stay Connected, above, to see the social media presence for each of our museums.
Historic Alexandria
Support Historic Alexandria
Support the City’s museums and historic properties. Become a member, volunteer, shop for merchandise and event tickets, rent an historic venue, and provide oversight on a City commission.
Volunteering with Historic Alexandria
Volunteering with Historic Alexandria
Looking for a creative outlet or a way to offer your services to the community? Volunteers are asked to donate a minimum number of hours per month and in return they receive training, newsletters, invitations to social functions, lectures, study trips, and other benefits.
Research and Collections
Alexandria's History
The History of Alexandria, Virginia: An Introduction and Resources
Read a brief history of Alexandria and find more about our history on the Historic Alexandria website and elsewhere on the internet.
Conducting your own Research
Conducting Your Own Historic Research
Do you have questions about the history of your property, genealogy, or local history? The Alexandria Library's Local History/Special Collections division is the the best place to start your research.
For certain records, the knowledgeable research librarians may refer you to the Archives and Records Center, the Clerk of the Circuit Court, the Library of Congress, the National Archives, or to one of the Historic Alexandria Museums. A brief outline of each facility can be found on this page.
Fort Ward Interpretive Plan
Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site Interpretive Plan
The City of Alexandria is working on an Interpretive Plan for Fort Ward Park to expand interpretation to include the full range of its history, especially including the African American experience and the post-Civil War Fort community
Historic Preservation
The Office of Historic Alexandria's preservation activities include Archaeology, Preservation Easements, and stewardship of City-owned historic sites and museums.
Indigenous Peoples, Virginia Indians, and Alexandria
Indigenous Peoples, Virginia Indians, and Alexandria
For thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans and the founding of Alexandria in 1749, Indians seasonally lived in and traveled through the lands that would become the City of Alexandria.
Museum Collections
Historic Alexandria Collections Online
The museums, historic structures and collections managed by Historic Alexandria reflect the diversity of centuries of Alexandria history and provide a context for understanding the broader scope of regional, state and national history.
Our current online collections include:
Alexandria Black History Museum
- The Black Lives Remembered Collection
- Carlton Funn Collection
- Parker-Gray School Collection
- Sherry Z. Sanabria Paintings
from the Alexandria Black History Muse
Gadsby's Tavern Museum
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
Out of the Attic Archive
“Out of the Attic” has appeared in the Alexandria Times newspaper since 2007. Each week, the column focuses on the story behind an historic image or an aspect of Alexandria's history.
Share Your Story through Oral History
Alexandria Legacies: The Alexandria Oral History Program
Alexandria Legacies, the Alexandria Oral History Program, was developed through the City of Alexandria’s Office of Historic Alexandria in the early 1980s. Today, staff and volunteers are actively conducting interviews and preparing transcriptions. Oral history broadens the study of the past in areas where there are no written documents or physical artifacts.
We are interested in hearing your story.. If you currently live, work, or volunteer with the City of Alexandria, or have done so in the past, you can participate in the Historic Alexandria Oral History Program. We are currently conducting interviews virtually. Fill out our survey if you would like to share your story.
Ships and Other Nautical Discoveries at South Union Street
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.
This Day in History
What happened in Alexandria on today's date, or tomorrow, or on your birthday? Search the database to find out.
These daily events in Alexandria's history were first printed in "This Week in Historic Alexandria." Check the Historic Alexandria homepage for this week's newsletter, and for instructions on how to subscribe to future issues.
Watch Lectures Online
Watch Historic Alexandria Lectures Online
Learn more about Alexandria’s history through select recordings of Historic Alexandria’s public lecture series. These lectures were presented virtually, via zoom, and are listed here by date.