September 15–21, 2025

What's New

FEATURED EVENT 

Tavern Games Night - The Alexandria Canal and Commerce
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal Street  
Friday, September 26
7 p.m.
$10
Tickets can be purchased online.

Join us for our Game Night series, this month featuring a brief presentation and pub trivia about the Alexandria Canal and Commerce. Doors open at 7 p.m. with presentation around 7:30 p.m. Tavern games and cash bar available throughout. Please note this event takes place up one flight of stairs in the historic Ballroom of Gadsby’s Tavern Museum.

The construction of the Alexandria Canal began in 1831, the year that the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal opened. It opened for traffic in Alexandria in 1843 and was completed down to the Potomac River by 1845. The Canal required the aqueduct bridge and the C&O Canal to be in service and all were expensive and difficult to maintain. The Alexandria Canal was out of commission during the Civil War, reopened in 1867, and then ceased operation in 1886 when the Aqueduct Bridge was damaged. 

2025 Historic Alexandria Holiday Ornament - Available Now in Historic Alexandria museum stores and in our online store!

Celebrate Alexandria’s 19th-century canal history with this beautifully crafted, American-made brass ornament. This year’s design honors the Alexandria Canal, featuring a canal boat exiting Lock No. 4 heading eastward toward the Potomac River, uncovered by archaeologists in the winter of 2025 on N. Pitt Street. The Alexandria Canal was in use from 1843 to 1886. Learn more here.

Upcoming Events

View the Historic Alexandria Calendar                                                                                                                                                      

DASH Block Party 2025!
Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center, 25 W Reed Avenue
Thursday, September 18
4-7 p.m.
Free

Join the Alexandria Transit Company (DASH) in celebrating a major milestone: reaching a record-breaking 5.64 million riders for FY 2025! To thank riders and community partners for their ongoing support, DASH is hosting a block party, and they would  love for you to participate in this year's celebration. Enjoy games, delicious food, exciting giveaways, and more! Stop by Historic Alexandria’s booth while you’re there!

Beyond the Battlefield: A Civil War Walking Tour of Alexandria
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Saturday, September 20
10-11:30 a.m.
$15
Purchase tickets 

This walking tour shares the stories of soldiers, citizens, and self-liberated African Americans in Civil War Alexandria. It covers the military occupation, the conversion of public and private buildings into hospitals, and emancipation.

Walking tours take place rain or shine, so please wear appropriate shoes and clothing. Members of Lee-Fendall House are free but must call or email to make a reservation 703.548.1789 or contact@leefendallhouse.org.

Classic Car Show
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum,201 S. Washington St. 
Saturday, September 20
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Free

Join us in the parking lot of the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum for a classic car show. Co-sponsored by Packards Virginia and the Office of Historic Alexandria, the show will feature a variety of Packards ranging from the 1930s-1950s as well as other “orphan” vehicles that are invited to register as well. Orphan cars are any marque of vehicle built by an out-of-business manufacturer. 

Featured Packards will include a 1933 Packard coupe Roadster, a 1934 Packard Formal Sedan, and a 1940 Packard Convertible Sedan. Other featured cars will include a1934 Hudson Terraplane Coupe, a 1953 Morgan, and 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk, and 1967 Pontiac GTO, and 1970 Oldsmobile ’98, and 1970 DeTomaso Pantera, and a1988 Austin Mini. 

Inside, visit the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum’s exhibits that tell the full scope of Alexandria’s rich history and enjoy the museum shop. The car show is free. For more information, visit packardsva.org  or call 703.424.5871.

Tons of Trucks
Chinquapin Park, 3210 King Street
Saturday, September 20
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Free

The City of Alexandria’s ‘Tons of Trucks’ event returns on Saturday, September 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chinquapin Park (3210 King St.). Hosted by the Department of Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Activities (RPCA), this free, rain-or-shine event is fun for the whole family. Be sure to stop by and meet our Outreach Team while you’re there! The event will also feature a special ‘sensory-friendly hour’ from 10 to 11 a.m.

Attendees of all ages are invited to explore and get behind the wheel of their favorite City vehicles including police cars, snow plows, fire trucks, and DASH buses. Meet the staff who help build, maintain, serve, and protect the community, and learn about the tools they use. Other activities include an art project with the City’s Mobile Art Lab, giveaways, music, photo opportunities, family activities, and food truck vendors.

Visitors are invited to take free DASH Bus transportation or use Capital Bikeshare to get to the event. Visit GO Alex’s Trip Planning Page for more information on alternative transit options.

Driving to the event? Parking is available at Alexandria City High School (3330 King St.), the First Baptist Church (2932 King St.), and Oakland Baptist Church (3408 King St.). Visit the Tons of Trucks website for more information. 

Civil War Hospital Tour
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Saturday, September 20
2 -3 p.m.
$15, free for museum members
Purchase Tickets 

Learn how the Lee-Fendall House was confiscated during the Civil War and operated as a Union Army hospital. Explore what life was like in Union-occupied Alexandria, how the Lee-Fendall House witnessed medical history, and how political divisions impacted those living here.
Members, please call the museum to reserve your ticket. Please e-mail contact@leefendallhouse.org or call 703. 548.1789 with any questions.

Washington's compatriot in arms, and old & intimate friend, Doctor James Craik
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street 
Sunday, September 21
1 - 2 p.m.
$12 
Purchase Tickets

Alexandria is home to many people who helped not only develop Alexandria but the founding of the country. On Sunday, September 21st, historian and educator Jim Bish will be speaking about Alexandrian James Craik. The talk will focus on the life of James Craik and his close relationship with General George Washington and how their relationship included close family members that gets overlooked. This program is non-refundable unless the museum cancels the program.

Proximity to Power: Rethinking Race and Place in Alexandria
An evening with Dr. Krystyn R. Moon
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St.
Wednesday, September 24
7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.), light refreshments will be available
$5, free for AHS members
Learn more

The Alexandria Historical Society invites the public to a thought-provoking evening with Dr. Krystyn R. Moon, who will present Proximity to Power: Rethinking Race and Place in Alexandria on Wednesday, September 24, at 7p.m. at The Lyceum. 

Dr. Moon will explore how Alexandria’s proximity to the nation’s capital shaped African Americans’ access to schools, transportation, and resources compared with other southern towns. The program highlights the long-standing advocacy of Alexandria’s Black residents from the nineteenth century to today. For more information, visit alexandriahistoricalsociety.org or email alexandriahistoricalsociety@gmail.com.

Yoga on the Magnolia Terrace-Happy Hour 
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 North Fairfax Street
Thursday, September 25
6 - 7:30 p.m.
$20 admission
Purchase tickets.   

Join Friends of Carlyle House for a special outdoor yoga class on our picturesque Magnolia Terrace with themed mocktails to be provided afterwards!

Join a yoga instructor for an hour long Yoga class on Carlyle’s Magnolia Terrace. Afterwards, enjoy a mocktail with yoga participants and staff. Happy Hours are a fundraiser for new exhibit cases in the museum and sponsored by the Friends of Carlyle House.

Please bring water, a towel, and a yoga mat. Wear comfortable yoga wear. Please note that the terrace is bricked so please bring a thicker mat or double up with an extra mat or towel. Class may be canceled due to inclement weather, you will receive an email if class is canceled. 

Lecture: Inside the French Resistance 
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum,201 S. Washington St. 
Thursday, September 25
7 p.m.
$15, $12 for Historic Alexandria Members
Purchase tickets.

Alexandria-based author Tom Young will introduce key players in the French Resistance and discuss the history behind his new World War II novel, "The Mapmaker." The novel is set within the French Resistance and the air operations that supported it. "The Mapmaker" follows fictional Resistance operative Charlotte Denneau who has critical targeting information for the allies, and the Gestapo knows it. On the run across occupied France, she must prioritize her mission over the lives of the agents and civilians she needs to help her escape. Tom Young served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and dozens of other countries. A retired airline captain, he now works as an aviation consultant. He has written nine novels, a novella, and one nonfiction book. Book signing and wine and dessert reception to follow the lecture.

Beyond the Battlefield: A Civil War Walking Tour of Alexandria
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Saturday, September 27
10-11:30 a.m.
$15
Purchase tickets

This walking tour shares the stories of soldiers, citizens, and self-liberated African Americans in Civil War Alexandria. It covers the military occupation, the conversion of public and private buildings into hospitals, and emancipation.

Members of Lee-Fendall House are free but must call or email to make a reservation 703.548.1789 or contact@leefendallhouse.org. 

Civil War Artillery Day 
Fort Ward Park Museum, 4301 W. Braddock Rd. 
Saturday, September 27
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Free

Learn about the daily life of artillerymen in the Defenses of Washington in this living history program presented by the 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery, a unit that was stationed at Fort Ward during the Civil War. The program features equipment and camp life displays, and cannon firing demonstrations. Event is weather dependent.

Specialty Tour: Outlandish Apothecary 
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105-107 South Fairfax Street
Sunday, September 28
11 a.m. - noon
$15 per person, $12 for Historic Alexandria Members
Purchase tickets

Tour this historic apothecary and learn about a few of the herbal medicines featured in Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series of novels from cascara to dauco seeds. The tour also touches on the role of apothecaries and women in medicine in the 18th century. Recommended for ages 18 and up. Tour is 11 a.m.-noon. Please arrive between 10:45-11:00 a.m. as the museum is not open to the public until 1 p.m. and the doors will be locked when the tour begins. Please note the tour involves ascending and descending stairs.

Mortar & Pestle Society 90th Anniversary Gala!
George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive
Monday, September 29
6:30 - 9 p.m.
$100 per person, Sponsorships ($250-$3,000) 
Purchase tickets.

Alexandria’s Mortar & Pestle Society invites you to its milestone celebration honoring 90 years of preserving pharmacy history and civic heritage through the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum. The gala will bring together national pharmacy leaders, preservation advocates, civic partners, and local supporters for a shared evening of connection, celebration, and shared purpose. Don’t miss this evening of Legacy and Leadership!

Held at the iconic George Washington Masonic National Memorial, this event will include guided rooftop viewing opportunities offering breathtaking panoramic views of Alexandria and Washington, D.C. Don’t miss this evening of Legacy and Leadership!

This celebration coincides with the Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners (JCPP) meeting, providing a chance to engage with association CEOs, presidents, and senior leaders in pharmacy from across the country. 

Join the Society for an incredible cocktail party that includes an historical look back, drinks, and heavy hors d'oeuvres. 

2025 AASLH Annual Conference!

Historic Alexandria’s own Callie, Elizabeth, and Michele participated in the American Association for State and Local History annual conference in Cincinnati on September 10-13. Held in partnership with the Ohio Local History Alliance, the conference brings the history field together in preparation to kickoff the nation’s 250th commemoration of the founding of the United States. During the conference, Michele, Chair of the AASLH’s Education & Interpretation Committee, focused on recruiting new committee members, supporting committee presentations, and listening for the field's needs as workshops are planned for the year ahead. 

Support Historic Alexandria

Your gift fuels preservation, education, and programs that bring Alexandria’s past to life. Donations, special revenue, and grants make it possible to expand educational programs, conserve treasured collections, and support our dedicated staff. Your gift today helps preserve Alexandria’s history for generations to come.

Historic Alexandria Museum Hours

Plan your Visit

Alexandria Archaeology Museum 
Tuesdays–Fridays, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sundays, 1 –5 p.m.

Alexandria Black History Museum
Thursdays & Fridays, 11 a.m.– 4 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sundays, 1– 5 p.m.

Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum 
Thursdays & Fridays, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sundays, 1 – 5 p.m.  

Fort Ward Museum 
Thursdays & Fridays, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sundays, 1 – 5 p.m.

Freedom House 
Closed to Visitors During Front Door Restoration
Freedom House Museum is temporarily closed to visitors as the exterior restoration is completed. We plan to reopen in fall of 2025. 

To learn more about the ongoing rehabilitation, visit the Freedom House Rehabilitation Project page. Project updates will be posted regularly on the Freedom House webpage. 

Friendship Firehouse Museum
Saturday, September 27, 10 a.m. –  5 p.m.

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
Thursdays & Fridays, 11 a.m.– 4 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sundays-Tuesdays, 1– 5 p.m.

Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
Wednesdays–Fridays, 11 a.m.– 4 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sundays & Mondays 1 - 5 p.m.

Explore with Ease – The New Museum Mobility Guide

Historic Alexandria and the Department of Transportation & Environmental Services (T&ES) have launched a colorful, easy-to-use map and guide connecting all of Alexandria’s museums via walking, biking, and transit. The guide also acts as a passport—visit every site and earn a prize! Available at museums, rec centers, public libraries, and more. 

Visit our website and follow us on social media to discover new things about your hometown. For more information, visit alexandriava.gov/Historic. Admission to City of Alexandria museums is complimentary for city residents.

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

This Week in Alexandria's History

More from This Day in History

On the evening of September 17, 1889, the Alexandria Gazette reported the illumination of the first 40 electric street lamps in Alexandria. This was the first time electricity was used for public street lighting in the city. Although there was no grand ceremony as the lights were turned on from a new electrical plant built at the site of the old gasworks, small crowds still gathered at various intersections where 1,500 candlepower light fixtures had been erected 20 feet overhead. At dusk, Mayor Downham and plant manager W.E. Guthrie activated the current, and across the city could be heard cheers of excitement as “steady, almost white lights” burned brilliantly for the first time.

Upcoming Commission and Committee Events

Commissions Supporting Historic Alexandria

• September 15 Alexandria Sister City Committee - Dundee and Helsingborg
  City Hall, 301 King Street, Sister Cities Room 1101
  7 - 8:30 p.m.

• September 15 George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee (GWBCC) 
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  7 - 9 p.m.

• September 16 Historic Alexandria Resources Commission (HARC)  
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  7-9 p.m.

• September 17 Alexandria Archaeological Commission 
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  7-9 p.m.

• September 30 Alexandria Archaeological Commission Subcommittee - Wilkes Street Cemetery National Register Application
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  7-9 p.m.

• October 8 Alexandria Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  8-9:15 a.m.