Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum

In 1839, the Lyceum Company, which promoted education in Alexandria, partnered with the Alexandria Library Company to build Lyceum Hall. The new building had a library and reading room on the first floor and a large hall on the second floor for lectures, debates, concerts, meetings, and other public programs.
Page updated on February 8, 2023 at 12:59 PM

Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum

Citizens of Alexandria first formed the Lyceum Company in 1838 as part of a larger lyceum movement in America. Communities, especially in the Northeast and Midwest, established lyceums to promote education locally. They took the name “lyceum” from the temple dedicated to Apollo Lyceus where Aristotle founded the Peripatetic school of philosophy in 334 BCE. In Alexandria, men, women, and children attended lectures, participated in debates, and attended various entertainments at Lyceum Hall.

During the Civil War, the building served as a military hospital, quarters for troops, and a meeting space. After the war, it was a private residence, office building, home of the chamber of commerce, and the first U.S. Bicentennial Center. Today, as the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, the site offers exhibitions, public programs, a museum store, and facility rentals.

Now Open!

Alexandria Hospital, Duke Street 2018

Alexandria Hospital: Women Mobilize the Community

Learn about our exhibit, “Alexandria Hospital: Women Mobilize the Community.” Celebrating 150 years, Alexandria Hospital has been helping residents heal and feel better. Read articles and oral history transcriptions to learn about the history of this important institution.

Visit Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum

Alexandria's History Museum at The Lyceum (exterior)

Plan Your Visit

The Museum is open Thursday through Sunday. This page has everything you need to plan your visit.

Black and white print "Alexandria Library, Alexandria VA"

History of The Lyceum

Constructed in 1839 as part of a public education movement, The Lyceum has also been a Civil War hospital, a private home, an office building, and the nation's first Bicentennial Center.

Alexandria Hospital, Duke Street 2018

Alexandria Hospital: Women Mobilize the Community

Celebrating 150 years, Alexandria Hospital has been helping residents heal and feel better. This exhibit highlights the civic-minded women and organizations that founded and supported the Hospital, as well as the services provided to the white and black community over the past

Exhibits and Collections

Lyceum Exhibit, North Gallery. Building a Community: Alexandria Past to Present

On View

The permanent exhibition, Building a Community: Alexandria Past to Present explores the city from prehistoric times to the present. The James Coldsmith Gallery is used for smaller exhibits that focus on some particular story within Alexandria's history. 

Sampler stitched in Alexandria, 1817

Collections

The museum's collection includes the original 1839 lyceum building as well as over 5,000 objects related to the history of Alexandria, Virginia.

Chronicling the Pandemic: Sidewalk chalk drawings

Chronicling the Pandemic: Alexandria's Story

See a sampling of the first year of this public history collecting effort, and learn more about contributing to this on-going project.

Performances at The Lyceum

Virtual Programming at The Lyceum, WMPA Streaming
Streaming a WMPA performance at The Lyceum.

For two decades before the Civil War, The Lyceum was the intellectual and cultural center of Alexandria. Today, The Lyceum again serves the community as a center for historical education and cultural activities. In that role, a number of well-regarded performing arts and historical organizations hold concerts and lectures at The Lyceum. For tickets and more information about these events, follow the Event Links provided on the calendar.

Performance Calendar

  

More Information

Contact the Museum

Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum 
201 S. Washington Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Phone: 703.746.4994

Contact Museum (Alex311)

Mission Statement

The mission of Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum is to actively preserve and interpret this historic landmark and its collections, thereby inspiring public use and enjoyment of local history.

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Educational Resources

Educational Resources at the Alexandria History Museum

The museum offers a variety programs for students, children, and families throughout the year. The programs can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your group.

Scout Programs at the Alexandria History Museum

Scout Programs at the Alexandria History Museum

Our museum offers a variety of programs for Girl and Boy Scouts. Boy and Girl Scout troops may reserve a school program or enjoy a self-guided visit to the museum during regular museum hours. We offer an annual program "Her Story: Women in Action" for younger Girl Scouts during March as well as volunteer opportunities for older Girl Scouts.

Rentals and Private Events

Rentals and Private Events

In its continuing role as a venue for all sorts of community activities, Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum's Lecture Hall is available to you for weddings, meetings, receptions, recitals, concerts and lectures.

Volunteering

Volunteering at Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum

The staff of Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum is small, yet we offer many activities and programs that enable the public to enjoy Alexandria's history. Many of these activities are volunteer-staffed. Can you help us? Most of our volunteer opportunities take place during our weekday opening hours. Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator about opportunities available on other days.