For Immediate Release: June 26, 2024

Alexandria, VA – In honor of Alexandria’s 275th anniversary, the Office of Historic Alexandria is thrilled to announce the launch of a new, community-focused initiative: “Mapping Alexandria: Stories of A Changing City.” This year-long project invites current and former residents to learn about the rich tapestry of Alexandria’s evolving history and share their personal stories and the histories of their neighborhoods.

Mapping Alexandria: Stories of a Changing City – Exhibition Opening June 22 at the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum

Explore Alexandria block by block! This engaging exhibition, opening on June 22, dives into the city’s history through the voices of its residents. It’s a unique opportunity to understand the evolution of Alexandria and discover the oral history narratives that have shaped its neighborhoods. Visitors are also encouraged to add their own stories, helping to document and preserve our shared history for future generations. Visit The Lyceum as we celebrate 275 years through community stories!

Celebrate Alexandria’s 275th Birthday by Sharing Your Story

The 275th anniversary is a momentous occasion for Alexandria, and Historic Alexandria is making it memorable with this storytelling initiative. Residents can participate in several ways:

• Map Your Neighborhood: Contribute to a crowd-sourced map that highlights the unique histories of Alexandria’s neighborhoods.
• Share Your Story: Record a memory of your neighborhood in the story portal, creating a personal snapshot of Alexandria’s history.
• Join a StoryCircle: Attend a facilitated StoryCircle at various recreational centers. These gatherings allow groups of 5-15 people to share and listen to personal stories about specific topics. Space is limited, so please RSVP soon here.
• Explore the Oral History Archive: View the many lived experiences of Alexandrians through a map of the public archive maintained by the Alexandria Oral History Center, or search the archive by topic.  

About the Alexandria Oral History Center

The Alexandria Oral History Center is dedicated to preserving the memories and stories of Alexandria through community collaboration. The Center offers oral history training and resources for residents to conduct their own interviews and history projects. It also maintains a public archive to preserve these histories for future generations and engages the public through programs and resources.

Join Us in Celebrating Alexandria’s History

Let’s make Alexandria’s 275th birthday an unforgettable celebration of community and history. Join us in commemorating Alexandria’s rich history by sharing your story and exploring the narratives of others. Together, we’ll map the heart of our beloved city.

For more information about the initiative, visit the Alexandria Oral History Center webpage.

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For reasonable disability accommodation, contact Nicole Quinn at historicalexandria@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.4554, Virginia Relay 711.

If you prefer communication in another language, free interpretation and translation services are available to you, please email LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or call 703-746-3960.

For media inquiries, contact Jeanene Harris at 703.851.4333 or Jeanene.harris@alexandriava.gov.

Alexandria at 275: Connecting to our past to define a brighter future.

Since its 1749 founding, the historic city of Alexandria has played a major role in our nation’s story and reflected its progress toward inclusivity. Join us at events from April through September as we mark Alexandria’s 275th anniversary and embark on the next chapter in our city’s vibrant history at alexandriava.gov/ALX275.