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City of Alexandria, VA

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  • Live

    Make the most of Alexandria's outstanding quality of life with information and services of interest to residents.

    • Be Prepared

      Are you ready? Find resources and information to help residents, businesses and visitors to prepare for all types of emergencies, and to stay safe.

      • Flooding Preparedness
      • Snow and Ice Control
      • Hurricane Preparedness
      • Emergency Preparedness
      • Public Health Emergency
    • Community Life

      Learn more about pets and animals, schools and libraries, parks and farmers' markets, community gardens, and more.

      • Community Gardens
      • Farmers' Markets
      • Parks
      • Pets
      • Recreation
    • Get Involved

      There are many opportunities to get involved to help better the City of Alexandria. Opportunities include serving on a Board, Commission or Committee, providing input on a new City project or speaking at a City Council meeting.

      • Boards and Commissions
      • Civic Engagement Policy
      • City Academies
      • Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
      • Speak at a Meeting
      • Volunteering
    • Getting Around

      Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

      • Bicycling in Alexandria
      • Bus and Rail
      • King Street Trolley
      • Parking in Alexandria
      • Street Maps
      • Taxis
      • Water Taxis
    • Historic Preservation

      Historic Alexandria is a treasure trove of early structures, artifacts, and records that creates a unique way of life for its citizens and provides enjoyment for thousands of people who visit this special community every year. The City continues to add resources to its collection of local and nationally designated historic districts.

      • Alexandria History
      • Board of Architectural Review
      • Historic Alexandria
      • Historic Districts
    • Licenses & Permits

      Find out whether a permit is required, the type of permit needed, fees involved, and what requirements are necessary for the activity you want to engage in Alexandria.

      • Building & Construction
      • Business Licenses
      • Health Permits
      • Marriage Licenses
      • Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
    • Parking

      Information about parking in the City of Alexandria, including parking options, enforcement, districts and permits.

      • Contest a Parking Ticket
      • Guest Parking Permits
      • Parking Permits
      • Parking Studies
      • Parking in Old Town
      • Pay a Parking Ticket
    • Public Health & Wellness

      Alexandria is committed to ensuring our residents thrive through physical, mental, and social health.

      • Aging & Adult Services
      • Domestic Violence
      • Environmental Health
      • Environmental Quality
      • Health Department
      • Health Clinics
      • Sexual Assault
      • Substance Abuse Prevention
      • Substance Abuse Services
      • Teen Pregnancy Prevention
      • Teen Wellness Center
    • Public Safety & Courts

      Agencies and programs that help maintain our safety and overall quality of life. These links contain information about the City of Alexandria's law enforcement agencies and public safety organizations, courts and judicial system.

      • Fire Department
      • Police Department
      • Sheriff's Office
      • Circuit Court
      • Clerk of Circuit Court
      • General District Court
      • J&DR Court
      • Court Service Unit
    • Public Works

      Learn more about how the City maintains streets, sidewalks, bridges, and other infrastructure in the City.

      • Bridge Maintenance
      • Paving and Potholes
      • Sewer Maintenance
      • Street Sweeping
    • Real Estate & Taxes

      The City collects car and real estate taxes, maintains tax relief programs and assesses property values. Taxes can be paid in a variety of ways including online, by phone and by mail.

      • Payments
      • Personal Property/Car Tax
      • Real Estate Assessments
      • Real Estate Tax
      • Tax Guide
      • Tax Relief
    • Schools & Libraries

      Did you know that ACPS is one of the most diverse school systems in the country? Our students come from more than 80 different countries, speak more than 60 languages, and represent a myriad of ethnic and cultural groups. The Alexandria Library is an educational, user-oriented service institution providing free public access to recorded knowledge and ideas.

      • Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS)
      • Alexandria Library
      • Child Care
      • Higher Learning
      • Out of School Time Programs
    • Social Services

      The City provides public assistance as a safety net for individuals and families, including help with homelessness prevention, food, rent, utilities, medical coverage and prescriptions, job training and placement assistance, and much more.

      • Aging & Adult Services
      • Child Care Assistance
      • Homeless Services
      • Housing Resources
      • Mentoring Programs
      • Military & Veteran Services
    • Trash & Recycling

      Find information on the City's refuse, recycling and yard waste collection programs.

      • Recycling
      • Refuse Collection
      • Yard Waste
    • Utilities

      The City of Alexandria does not operate any public utilities. The following companies are the primary providers of their respective service:

      • Cable TV (Comcast / Xfinity)
      • Drinking Water (Virginia American Water)
      • Electricity (Dominion Energy)
      • Natural Gas (Washington Gas)
      • Sewage/Water Treatment (Alex Renew)
      • Wired Telephone (Verizon)
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  • Play

    Whether you live here or are just visiting, Alexandria is a great place to shop, dine, take in the arts, get outdoors, and just have fun.

    • About Alexandria

      If you are looking for small-town charm and big-city amenities, Alexandria is the place to find them. Alexandria has a fascinating history, and many of its historic buildings are still preserved today. The City's many historic homes, churches, businesses, and museums allow residents and visitors alike to experience the past that makes it the charming town it is today.

      • Alexandria's History
      • Demographics & Statistics
      • Maps & GIS
      • Visit Alexandria
    • Arts & Culture

      Through engaging the community, encouraging participation, and facilitating access to arts and culture, the City builds a vibrant community for its residents, workers, and visitors.

      • City Concerts
      • City Events
      • Historic Property Rentals
      • Museums & Historic Sites
      • Office of Historic Alexandria
      • Office of the Arts
    • Entertainment

      Find events and activities, shops and restaurants, concerts and performances, arts and culture, historic attractions, parks and libraries, farmers' markets, and more.

      • City Concerts
      • City Events
      • Office of the Arts
      • Visit Alexandria: Things to Do
    • Getting Around

      Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

      • Bicycling in Alexandria
      • Bus & Rail
      • King Street Trolley
      • Parking in Alexandria
      • Street Maps
      • Taxis
      • Water Taxis
    • Museums & Historic Sites

      Alexandria is a desirable location to live, work and play. The City owns many of the premier historic sites in Alexandria and it is charged with the conservation, interpretation and promotion of these links to the past.

      • City Museums
      • Historic Sites & Attractions
      • Office of Historic Alexandria
    • Parks & Recreation

      Alexandria is an active community that offers more than 900 acres of parks and dedicated public space, and a wide variety of neighborhood and recreation centers, pools, dog parks, farmers' markets, waterfront activities and more.

      • Classes & Camps
      • Dog Parks
      • Facility & Park Rentals
      • Farmers' Markets
      • Marina & Waterfront Parks
      • ParkLink Interactive Map
      • Parks & Trails
      • Pools & Aquatics
      • Recreation Centers
      • Sports Leagues & Programs
    • Visit Alexandria

      Information about visiting Alexandria, including shopping, dining, attractions, accommodations, events listings and more. Plan your visit with an itinerary builder, interactive maps, hotel booking, online restaurant reservations and much more.

      • Group Tours
      • Meet in Alexandria
      • Plan Your Visit
      • Trip Planning Assistance
      • Visitor Center
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  • Services

    We are here to serve you. Browse the topics to the right to learn more about the programs and services we offer.

    • Alex311

      Connect with professional and knowledgeable staff for City service and information requests from every City department.

      • Missed Collection
      • Parking
      • Potholes
      • Street Cleaning
      • Trash & Recycling Containers
      • Trees
      • Yard Waste / Bulky Items Pickup
    • Animals

      What you need to know about animals, pets and wildlife in Alexandria.

      • Animal Adoption
      • Animal Control
      • Dog Parks
    • Buildings & Construction

      The City provides services to residents, businesses, contractors, and visitors needing permits for constructions and other developments.

      • Building Codes
      • City Code
      • Code Administration
      • Green Building
      • Land Use & Zoning
      • Permit Center
      • Permits & Land Use Applications
    • Environment

      "Green" initiatives, air quality, noise, water conservation, mosquito and rodent control.

      • Air Quality
      • Clean Waterways
      • Climate Change
      • Eco-City Alexandria
      • Green Building
      • Mosquito Control
      • Noise Control
      • Rodent Control
      • Stormwater Management
    • Jobs
      • City Government Jobs
      • Alexandria City Public Schools
      • Job Search Assistance (Workforce Development Center)
      • Collective Bargaining
    • Maps & GIS

      Geographic Information Systems (GIS) centrally manages, shares and analyzes information about locations through specialized mapping technology. This information increases transparency, improves many City technology applications and provides critical data to decision makers and the public.

      • Interactive Maps
      • Open Data
      • Standard Maps
    • Parks & Recreation

      Alexandria is an active community that offers more than 900 acres of parks and dedicated public space, and a wide variety of neighborhood and recreation centers, pools, dog parks, farmers' markets, waterfront activities and more.

      • Classes & Camps
      • Dog Parks
      • Facility & Park Rentals
      • Farmers' Markets
      • Marina & Waterfront
      • Parks & Trails
      • Pools & Aquatics
      • Recreation Centers
      • Sports Leagues & Programs
    • Property & Housing

      The City administers various housing-related programs and services.

      • Housing Master Plan
      • Landlord & Property Manager Resources
      • Maps & GIS
      • Office of Housing
      • Parcel Viewer
      • Real Estate Assessments
    • Public Health & Wellness

      Alexandria is committed to ensuring our residents thrive through physical, mental, and social health.

      • Aging & Adult Services
      • Emergency Mental Health Services
      • Environmental Health
      • Environmental Quality
      • Health Department
      • Health Clinics
      • Sexual and Domestic Violence Services
      • Substance Abuse Services
      • Teen Pregnancy Prevention
      • Teen Wellness Center
    • Public Safety & Courts

      Agencies and programs that help maintain our safety and overall quality of life. These links contain information about the City of Alexandria's law enforcement agencies and public safety organizations, courts and judicial system.

      • Fire Department
      • Police Department
      • Sheriff's Office
      • Circuit Court
      • Clerk of Circuit Court
      • General District Court
      • J&DR Court
      • Court Service Unit
    • Public Works

      Learn more about how the City maintains streets, sidewalks, bridges, and other infrastructure in the City.

      • Bridge Maintenance
      • Paving & Potholes
      • Sewer Maintenance
      • Street Sweeping
    • Real Estate & Taxes

      The City collects car and real estate taxes, maintains tax relief programs and assesses property values. Taxes can be paid in a variety of ways including online, by phone and by mail.

      • Payments
      • Personal Property/Car Tax
      • Real Estate Assessments
      • Real Estate Tax
      • Tax Guide
      • Tax Relief
    • Social Services

      The City provides public assistance as a safety net for individuals and families, including help with homelessness prevention, food, rent, utilities, medical coverage and prescriptions, job training and placement assistance, and much more.

      • Aging & Adult Services
      • Child Care
      • Children & Families
      • Discrimination & Disabilities
      • Gang & Youth Violence Prevention
      • Homeless Services
      • Housing Assistance
      • Human Rights
      • Job Search Assistance (Workforce Development Center)
      • Mentoring Programs
      • Military & Veteran Services
    • Trash & Recycling

      Find information on the City's refuse, recycling and yard waste collection programs.

      • Recycling
      • Refuse Collection
      • Yard Waste
    • Transportation

      Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

      • Bicycling in Alexandria
      • Bus & Rail
      • King Street Trolley
      • Parking in Alexandria
      • Street Maps
      • Taxis
      • Transportation Planning
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  • Business

    Ideally located just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., Alexandria is nationally recognized as one of the best places to live and do business on the east coast. Learn how we can help you start or relocate your business in Alexandria, and access resources for existing businesses and commuters.

    • Business Resources

      The City provides services and resources to help existing businesses expand within the City and promotes recruiting new businesses in Alexandria.

      • Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP)
      • Alexandria Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
      • BIPOC Small Business Program
      • Doing Business with the City
      • New Business Guide
      • Public-Private Partnerships
    • Jobs

      Alexandria offers wide range of job opportunities and services. Work for City government or City Public Schools, find out about an internship opportunity or learn about workforce development and career training options.

      • City Government Jobs
      • Job Search Assistance (Workforce Development Center)
      • Collective Bargaining
    • Licenses & Permits

      Find out whether a permit is required, the type of permit needed, fees involved, and what requirements are necessary for the activity you want to engage in Alexandria.

      • APEX Permitting & Land Use System
      • Business Licenses
      • Business Outdoor Program & Permits
      • Health Permits
      • Permit Center
      • Zoning Information
    • Real Estate & Taxes

      The City collects car and real estate taxes, maintains tax relief programs and assesses property values. Taxes can be paid in a variety of ways including online, by phone and by mail.

      • Business License Tax
      • Business Personal Property Tax
      • Lodging Tax
      • Meal Tax
      • Payments
      • Real Estate Assessment Search
      • Real Estate Assessments
      • Sales Tax
    • Transportation

      Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

      • Getting Around
      • Vehicle Registration
      • GO Alex Commuter Resources
      • Parking in Alexandria
    Close Menu
  • Government

    Learn more about Alexandria's accountable, effective, and well-managed government.

    • City Council

      The Alexandria City Council is composed of a Mayor and six Council members who are elected at-large for three-year terms. The Mayor, who is chosen on a separate ballot, presides over meetings of the Council and serves as the ceremonial head of government.

      • City Council Calendar
      • Communicate with City Council
      • Council Assignments
      • Meeting Dockets & Video
      • Speak at a Meeting
    • Boards & Commissions

      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.

      • Meeting Dockets & Video
      • Apply for a Board or Commission
      • Boards & Commission Calendar
      • Board of Architectural Review
      • Board of Zoning Appeals
      • Planning Commission
      • Park & Recreation Commission
      • Transportation Commission
    • Departments & Agencies

      View a list of City departments, offices and other agencies, and learn about their role in the organization.

      • City Government Departments & Offices
      • Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
      • Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
      • Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS)
      • Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP)
      • Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA)
      • Alexandria Transit Company (DASH)
      • Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA)
      • Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
      • Visit Alexandria (Official Tourism Site)
    • Public Safety & Courts

      Information about the City of Alexandria's law enforcement agencies and public safety organizations, courts and judicial system.

      • Police Department
      • Fire Department
      • Sheriff's Office
      • Courts
      • Office of Emergency Management
      • Emergency & Customer Communications
      • Community Policing Review Board
    • Elected Officials

      Alexandria voters elect a Mayor and City Council and three local officers, as well as state and federal representatives.

      • City Council
      • Clerk of Circuit Court
      • Commonwealth's Attorney
      • Sheriff
      • Voting in Alexandria
    • Get Involved

      There are many opportunities to get involved to help better the City of Alexandria. Opportunities include serving on a Board, Commission or Committee, providing input on a new City project or speaking at a City Council meeting.

      • Boards & Commissions
      • City of Alexandria Academy Programs
      • Civic Engagement Policy
      • Speak at a Meeting
      • Volunteering
    • Transparency

      The City government acts with integrity in an open process, and provides timely access to clear, trustworthy information, presented and employed by all parties from the beginning to the end of the process, including the reasoning that leads to and supports the policy conclusion.

      • Operating Budget & Capital Improvement Program
      • Meeting Dockets & Video
      • Performance Analytics
      • Alexandria's Strategic Plan
      • Race & Social Equity
      • Community Policing Review Board
      • Collective Bargaining
      • City Code
      • Open Data
    Close Menu
  • Projects & Plans

    Much of our work involves creating and improving infrastructure and planning for the future. Learn more about major projects and plans here, and how you can get involved!

    • Arts & Culture

      Information about arts, culture and historic projects in the City.

      • Arts & Culture Master Plan
      • Public Art Implementation Plan
    • Development

      Information about commercial and residential development projects in the City.

      • Landmark/Van Dorn Area Planning
      • North Potomac Yard Implementation / Virginia Tech Innovation Campus
      • Potomac River Generating Station Redevelopment
    • Environmental

      Information about environmental and "green" projects in the City.

      • 500 Block N. Pitt St. Sewer Separation Project
      • Flood Action Alexandria
      • Franklin St. Sewer Relocation Project
      • Holmes Run Trail Repairs
      • Lucky Run Stream Restoration
      • Oronoco Outfall Remediation Project
      • Wheeler Ave. Sanitary Sewer Pipe Relining
      • Windmill Hill Park Project - Phase II
    • Neighborhoods

      Information about neighborhood projects in the City.

      • Alexandria West Planning
      • Duke Street and West Taylor Run Project
      • Eisenhower Avenue Metrorail Station Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
      • King-Callahan-Russell Intersection Improvement Project
      • Mount Vernon Avenue North Complete Streets
    • Parks & Recreation

      Information about parks and recreation projects in the City.

      • Beauregard Street Multi-Use Trail Project
      • Bicycle Parking
      • Eugene Simpson Park Renovation Projects
      • Joseph Hensley Park Renovation
      • Old Cameron Run Trail Project
      • Robinson Terminal South Update: Historic Ship Stabilization
    • Public Facilities

      Information about public facilities projects in the City.

      • Alexandria Waterfront
      • King Street-Old Town Metro Access Improvement Project
      • Municipal Broadband
      • Potomac Yard Metrorail Station Project
    • Social Services

      Information about social services projects and plans in the City.

      • Aging and Adult Services
      • Early Care & Education Common Agenda
      • The Partnership to Prevent & End Homelessness
    • Transportation

      Information about transportation projects and plans in and around the City.

      • Adaptive Traffic Signal Control
      • Alexandria Mobility Plan
      • Complete Streets
      • Duke Street in Motion
      • Potomac Yard Metrorail Station Project
      • Smart Mobility
      • Traffic Mitigation
      • Vision Zero
      • West End Transitway
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  • Calendar

    There's always something to do in Alexandria! Browse community events, government meetings and activities, and important deadlines.

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    Use these shortcuts to perform some of the most common tasks on our site.

    • Apply
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    • Report
      • Potholes
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Historic Alexandria

With more than 250 years of history and hospitality to its credit, Alexandria offers an array of historic and cultural attractions. Alexandria's many historic homes, churches, businesses and museums allow residents and visitors alike to experience the hand of the past that makes our city the charming and historic town it is today. Visit City of Alexandria museums and historic sites and discover our past, present and future!
Page updated on February 8, 2023 at 9:42 AM

Historic Alexandria

  • What's New
    • This Week in Historic Alexandria
  • Historic Alexandria
  • City Museums
    • Alexandria Archaeology Museum
    • Alexandria Black History Museum
    • Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum
    • Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site
    • Freedom House Museum
    • Friendship Firehouse Museum
    • Gadsby's Tavern Museum
    • Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
  • Plan your Visit
    • Group Visits
    • Visit City Museums
    • Visit Other Historic Sites
      • African American Heritage Park
      • Alexandria Union Station
      • Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial
      • Lloyd House
      • Murray-Dick-Fawcett House
    • More Historic Attractions in Alexandria
    • Self-Guided Tours
    • Visit Alexandria
  • The History of Alexandria
    • Conducting Your Own Historic Research
    • African American History
    • Women's History
    • Discovering the Decades
    • Historic Alexandria Quarterly
    • Out of the Attic
  • Alexandria Archaeology
  • Alexandria Community Remembrance Project
  • Alexandria Oral History Center
  • Archives & Records Center
  • Commissions Supporting Historic Alexandria
  • Educational Resources
    • Watch Lectures Online
    • Winter in Alexandria Activity Portal
  • Historic Alexandria Administration
  • Historic Preservation
  • Museum Store
  • News Releases
  • Rentals and Private Events
  • Stay Connected
  • Support Historic Alexandria
    • Donate
    • Become a Member
    • Join a Commission
    • Volunteer

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Welcome 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.

Support Historic Alexandria

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

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.

DONATE NOW

The Annual Survey of Museum-Goers. We want to hear from you!

AAM Survey: Why Does History Matter?

Why does history matter? Help Historic Alexandria to answer this question by participating in a survey that is open now through the end of February!

Black History Month

Celebrate Black History Month

Black History Month in Alexandria

Find out what's happening for Black History Month. All events for are FREE. To reserve your free ticket, visit The Alexandria Shop.

Now Open

Plan your Visit

  • Alexandria Archaeology Museum (Open Wednesday-Sunday)

  • Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum (Open Thursday-Sunday)

  • Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site (Open Thursday-Sunday)

  • Freedom House Museum (Open Thursday-Monday)

  • Friendship Firehouse Museum (Open one Saturday a month)

  • Gadsby's Tavern Museum (Open Thursday-Sunday)

  • Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum (Open Wednesday-Sunday)

Closed for Renovation

  • Alexandria Black History Museum
Historic postcard

Plan Your Visit

Here is all the information you need to plan a visit to the Historic Alexandria museums - address and phone numbers, hours, admission fees, special programs, directions and more. The Historic Alexandria museums are free for City of Alexandria residents.

View of Alexandria, VA, by J.T. Palmatary, 1853

This Week in Historic Alexandria

This week in Historic Alexandria, enjoy the many exhibits, public programs and special events offered by our city’s great museums and historic sites!  This e-newsletter is updated each week on this webpage, or sign up for an eNews account to have it delivered to your in-box.

Lyceum Hall Hospital

The History of Alexandria, Virginia

Read a brief history of Alexandria and find more about our history on the Historic Alexandria website and elsewhere on the internet.

Historic Alexandria: African American Heritage Trail

Self-Guided Tours

Enjoy a variety of walking and bike tours, listen to podcasts, go on a scavenger hunt, or learn about Wayfinding Signs and the African American Heritage Trail.

Wayfinding Sign: Shuter's Hill

Wayfinding in Alexandria: Exploring Old Town

The City of Alexandria’s wayfinding signage system helps people find their way around the city. Take a look at the new map and history panel “mini-kiosks” in Old Town, from the Masonic Temple on Shuter's Hill to the waterfront. Read the full text of the history panels here.

Alexandria pillar inscribed with the names of Alexandria lynching victims Joseph McCoy and Benjamin Thomas

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.

Historic Alexandria Educational Resources

Educational Resources in Historic Alexandria

Learners of all ages can explore Alexandria’s history through online and on-site offerings. Historic Alexandria offers educators the opportunity to reinforce their teaching with hands-on experiences, field trips, kits, and online resources.

Two people speaking into recording microphones

The Alexandria Oral History Center

The Alexandria Oral History Center is a community-driven collaboration to document and preserve the memories and stories of Alexandria. The Center provides residents with oral history trainings and resources to conduct oral history interviews and community history projects.

Murray Dick Fawcett roof replacement with scaffolding in place, August 2021

Historic Preservation

City of Alexandria is committed to honoring its historic legacy through preservation, planning, interpretation, public outreach, and programming.

Historic Alexandria Museum Store at The Lyceum

Museum Stores

Purchase event tickets, make a donation, become a member, and buy gifts and Alexandria-related merchandise, online or in our museum shops. Your purchases support programming at Historic Alexandria's museums. 

Guests attend a lecture in 2018

Rentals and Private Events at Historic Properties

Six Historic Alexandria properties are available for rentals and private events. The properties can accommodate from 15 to 160 people, for a range of events including parties, weddings and meetings.

Historic Alexandria Museums

Alexandria Archaeology Museum 2019

Alexandria Archaeology Museum

Alexandria Archaeology Museum visitors learn how the City's archaeologists, volunteers and students work with residents and developers to study and manage archaeological resources important to the community's past.

Alexandria Black History Museum

Alexandria Black History Museum

Alexandria Black History Museum enriches the lives of Alexandria's residents and visitors, fosters tolerance and understanding among all cultures, and stimulates appreciation of the diversity of the African American experience.

Alexandria's History Museum at The Lyceum (exterior)

Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum

The Lyceum, itself a witness to nearly two centuries of local history, today serves as a gateway for Alexandria's visitors.

Fort Ward's restored north bastion, with canons

Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site

Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site is the best preserved of the system of Union forts and batteries built to protect Washington, DC during the American Civil War (1861-1865).

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.

Friendship Firehouse's Rodgers Pumper

Friendship Firehouse Museum

Friendship Firehouse Museum, the oldest standing firehouse open as a museum in Alexandria, was originally home to the first volunteer fire company in town. Today, the exhibits of historic equipment and vehicles inspire visitors.

Gadsby's Tavern Museum exterior

Gadsby's Tavern Museum

Gadsby's Tavern Museum consists of the ca. 1785 tavern and the 1792 City Hotel. Named for John Gadsby who operated them from 1796 to 1808, explore these buildings where Washington, Jefferson and ordinary travelers came to eat, drink, sleep, and influence history.

Glass Bottles on display a the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum

Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum

Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, one of the oldest pharmacies in the nation, sold everything from medicines to household goods from 1793 to 1933. Visitors can tour the historic shop and manufacturing room and view original products left behind.

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

Cover page of African American Heritage Trail storymap, south route

African American Heritage Trails

Alexandria’s African American history is told through online StoryMaps and can be experienced in-home on your computer or on your smartphone as you walk the trail along the Potomac River. The South Waterfront Route is new in 2023.
Photo of Martin Luther King Jr. at a lectern

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Program

The City of Alexandria invited the community to join the 50th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Program on Sunday, January 15. Watch a video of the program, and scroll to the bottom of the page to see the entries for the Student Poster Exhibition
Freedom House Exhibit 2022, Chris Cruz for Visit Alexandria

Master Plan: Freedom House Museum

The Office of Historic Alexandria is engaging with the community and stakeholders to create the Master Plan for the Freedom House Museum at 1315 Duke Street. The Master Plan will provide a road map for the future use, interpretation, and preservation of the site.
Alexandria Hospital, Duke Street 2018

Alexandria Hospital: Women Mobilize the Community

“Alexandria Hospital: Women Mobilize the Community” is now open at the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum. The exhibition marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Alexandria Infirmary – today’s Inova Alexandria Hospital. Women established and sustained the hospital by fostering community support, making it one of Alexandria’s most community-based enterprises.
Hall of pillars at the EJI museum

ACRP Pilgrimage to EJI, Montgomery Alabama

The Alexandria Community Remembrance Project (ACRP), members of the community and ACHS students went on a pilgrimage to the Equal Justice Initiative’s National Memorial for Peace and Justice and Legacy Museum, delivering soil collected from locations that symbolically reflect the lives of Alexandria’s two known lynching victims – Joseph McCoy and Benjamin Thomas.
McCoy Remembrance Ceremony 2022

Soil Collection Remembrance Event

On September 24 the Alexandria Community Remembrance Project (ACRP) held a Soil Collection Ceremony in memory of Alexandria’s two lynching victims, Joseph McCoy and Benjamin Thomas.
Freedom House Museum Exterior

City of Alexandria’s Freedom House Museum Reopens with Three Powerful New Exhibitions

The City of Alexandria is pleased to announce that the Freedom House Museum at 1315 Duke Street is now open to the public, with three new exhibitions showcasing Alexandria’s Black history and the Black experience in America. Due to high demand and limited capacity, it is highly recommended that guests reserve tickets in advance online.
 store the timbers in Ben Brenman Pond to preserve them for study and conservation

Historic Ship Stabilization

This project, completed in June 2022, includes the stabilization and storage of three historic ship remnants excavated at the Robinson Landing Site (archaeological site 44AX235). The overall goal of the project is to transport and store the timbers in Ben Brenman Pond in a manner that preserves the possibility of future study and conservation.
Fort Ward Park Entrance Sign at Braddock Road

Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Management Plan

Learn about the Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Management Plan and how it is being implemented. Learn the history of the African American community known as The Fort, and what is being done to preserve and interpret its historic resources during park improvements.

This Day in History

This Day in History calendar and text search

This Day in History

What happened in Alexandria on today's date, or tomorrow, or on your birthday? Search here to find out.

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

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

  • Facebook
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  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Support 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.

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

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

  • John Gadsby’s Silver

Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum

  • The Apothecary Museum Archival Collection

Out of the Attic Archive

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.

Ships and Other Nautical Discoveries at South Union Street

Nautical Discoveries at South Union Street

Archaeology on the Waterfront

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.

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.

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  • Historic Alexandria
  • Historic Preservation
  • Historic Sites
  • Tourism
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301 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

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