February 16–22, 2026
What's New
FEATURED EVENT
Grown-Up Field Trip: Freedom House Lives + Legacies
1315 Duke Street
Friday, February 20
6:30 p.m.
$15 per person, Historic Alexandria Members: $12/person
Reserve tickets.
For the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, venture out on a four-part field trip series for adults highlighting African American history around Alexandria. Explore objects and primary sources, dive into conversations, and be ready to be hands-on as you learn more about Alexandria and African American history. All field trips are based on ones offered to school-age children, but with extra time, so we can go even deeper!
Upcoming Grown-Up Field Trips:
February 20: Lives and Legacies at the Freedom House Museum
March 20: Media Remix at the Alexandria Black History Museum
April 10: Hayti: Uncovering an African American Neighborhood at the Alexandria Archaeology Museum
May 8: African American Stories at Alexandria’s Archives and Records Center
For more information about Black History Month events in the City of Alexandria, visit alexandriava.gov/BlackHistoryMonth.
Upcoming Events
View the Historic Alexandria Calendar
All Month - Martin Luther King Jr. Poster Exhibition Awards: The Alexandria Black History Museum with the Office of Historic Alexandria sponsors an annual Student Poster Exhibition for Alexandria City Public School students, grades 2-5. The students' posters will be on display at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St, Alexandria, VA from February 1 - March 1, 2026.
Specialty Tour: Hamilton’s BFF & Frenemies
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal Street
Saturdays, February 21 and 28
11 a.m.- noon
$15 per person, Historic Alexandria Members: $12/person
Reserve tickets.
Inspired by the musical Hamilton, learn how the paths of Washington, Lafayette, Jefferson, Madison, and Burr all intersected with this local tavern. Includes discussion of the issues they faced and how their choices impacted local citizens.
Lantern Tour
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden
614 Oronoco Street
Saturday, February 21
6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
$15, Free for museum members
Purchase tickets.
Tour the historic Lee-Fendall House at night by lantern light! Learn about the history of the home after hours on this guided experience.
Take a tour of the historic Lee-Fendall House at night! A quieter, cozier experience in Old Town Alexandria, this tour covers the history of the house and those who lived here from 1785 to 1972. You will be led through the first and second floors by prominent historic Alexandrian, E.E. Downham. Learn our history through the man who was Mayor of Alexandria from 1887 through 1891!
The lantern tours are recommended for ages 12+. Each tour time is limited to 12 people. The tour last about 45 minutes.
The Women of Lee-Fendall
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden
614 Oronoco Street
Wednesday, February 25
11 a.m.
$15, Free for museum members
Purchase tickets.
Learn the lives of the women who lived in the Lee-Fendall House during its private ownership and early years as a museum.
This special house tour will take you through the lives of some of the women who lived and worked in the Lee-Fendall House over the years as a private home and even when it became a museum in 1974. Learn about their struggles and achievements as women, wives, educators, workers, mothers, performers, and activists.
How Martha Washington Spent the Revolutionary War
A Free Alexandria Historical Society Behind-the-Scenes Zoom Program
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
7-8 p.m.
Online via Zoom
Free; registration required. Registrants will receive the Zoom connection details by email.
The Alexandria Historical Society (AHS) invites the public to a special behind-the-scenes virtual program, “How Martha Washington Spent the Revolutionary War,” featuring Mary V. Thompson, Mount Vernon Research Historian Emerita. This free Zoom event will take place on Wednesday, February 25, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM, and continues AHS’s 2026 America250 programming, which presents new perspectives on the American Revolution, particularly through locally grounded stories.
Most Americans know about George Washington’s life and leadership during the American Revolution. Far fewer are familiar with how his wife, Martha Dandridge Custis Washington, spent those harrowing years. In this illustrated talk, Thompson will explore Martha Washington’s wartime experiences both at Mount Vernon and alongside the Continental Army, shedding light on her essential but often overlooked role in sustaining the Revolutionary cause.
Rescheduled: Preservation Tours: Lost Buildings of Alexandria-The Berg & Parker-Gray
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Saturday, February 28
10 a.m.
$20 per person
Purchase tickets.
Join Carlyle House and Lee-Fendall House on a tour of “Lost Alexandria.” Explore parts of the historic neighborhoods of The Berg & Parker-Gray. Learn why these buildings were not preserved.
Tour begins at Lee-Fendall House, 614 Oronoco St. This tour includes walking over many city blocks. Walking shoes required, bottled water suggested. Held rain or shine. Tour will be cancelled in extreme weather.
They Lived Here Too: Work & Slavery at Lee-Fendall
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden
614 Oronoco Street
Saturday, February 28
11 a.m.
$15 per person and must be purchased in advance.
Purchase tickets.
Learn about the enslaved and free African Americans who lived and worked at the Lee-Fendall House from 1785-1969.
Learn about the enslaved and free African Americans who lived and worked in the home throughout its years as a private residence. Hear the stories of their experiences and their contributions to the site and its history.
Fight for the Right to Read Program
Alexandria Black History Museum
902 Wythe Street
Saturday, February 28
11 a.m.- noon
Free
Join authors Jeff Gottesfeld and Michelle Y. Green along with illustrator and Howard University graduate Kim Holt, for a family program that highlights their new book; Fight for the Right to Read: Samuel Wilbert Tucker and the 1939 Sit-Down Strike for Library Reading Equality.
Lecture: “Remember the Ladies”: The Women of the American Revolution
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Sunday, March 1
1:30 p.m.
$12 per person
Purchase tickets.
The history of the Revolutionary War is often viewed as a man’s story, as they were often on the frontlines and making the seemingly vital decisions. However, looks can be deceiving. Come join us in honoring Women’s History month as public historian Mary Cooper presents the critical role played by women in the Revolutionary War both on the frontlines and at the home front. This lecture will explore on a broad scale the role of women as well as highlighting specific key players in American Revolutionary history. Additionally, it will present what Virginia women in particular did during the time that tried both men’s and women’s souls.
Carlyle House Family Fun Day
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Saturday, March 7 (first Saturday of the month from March– November)
Noon-3pm
Free
Read and craft with your friends on the Carlyle House front lawn for Family Fun Day on the first Saturday of the month from March-November! From 12-3 (unless otherwise noted), you can sit in on story time and participate in crafts and other activities that relate to the theme of the month. Please note that there is no Family Fun Day in July. This program is for all ages, though some of the crafts might be challenging for guests under 4. There is no fee to join this program, but donations are encouraged.
Rescheduled: Preservation of Carlyle House: What if we could do it over?
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S Washington Street
Saturday, March 7
4-6 p.m.
$12 per person, Friends of Carlyle House members: $6/person with code
Purchase tickets.
Four years after the passage of The National Historic Preservation Act, the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NOVA Parks) began a daunting task: the restoration of the Carlyle House, an Aquia creek stone building in Alexandria, VA. Fauber Garbee, Inc., Architects directed the extensive restoration and research of Carlyle’s 1753 home and the long forgotten stories associated with the house.
Join members of the original restoration team Sharon Park, FAIA, FAPT, LEED AP and Baird M. Smith, FAIA FAPT along with other preservation professionals to examine the specific conservation, repair and restoration steps undertaken 50 years ago. Then delve into a dialogue exploring whether the same paths would be taken today and why or why not.
The presentation begins at 4 p.m. followed by a panel discussion and a moderated question and answer session .Join us for the opportunity to network with other professionals afterwards for some refreshments.
Tables of Conscience
Tables of Conscience book-themed dinners, held in the homes of ACRP Members, are an opportunity to have in-depth discussions on important issues with others who care deeply about equality and social justice. The entire $125 donation goes to this year’s Memorial Scholarships in the names of Alexandria’s two known lynching victims, Joseph McCoy (1897) and Benjamin Thomas (1899). To attend one of these dinners Reserve a space here for free, then pay $125 per ticket by donating on our campaign page with the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria. (The book is not included in the ticket price. Please purchase at a local bookstore when possible.)
Crusade for Justice by Ida B. Wells
Saturday, March 7
6-9 p.m.
7 Seats Available
Reserve a space.
Donate $125 per ticket on our campaign page.
Ida B. Wells' autobiography inspires readers to stand up and speak up for justice. Her pros are not antiquated; on the contrary, they are clear, concise, and direct. This book provides an intimate insight into the perspective of a woman born into slavery, who grew up watching Black people become citizens, write state constitutions, and serve in legislatures, only to then see their positions and rights taken away. Her parents died when she was young, and she taught school while taking care of her younger siblings. She began writing for the church newspaper and discovered her talent for reporting. She soon became the voice of her generation; she was as much a civil rights crusader as those who came after her.
Specialty Tour: Women in Medicine
The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105-107 S Fairfax Street
Sundays, March 8 and 22
11 a.m.- noon
$15 per person, Historic Alexandria Members: $12/person
Reserve tickets.
While men often take the spotlight, women have always shaped the practice of medicine. This tour will explore many objects in the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum used by women from the late 18th through early 20th centuries, as well as the women's influence on medicine in Alexandria and the wider world during this period. 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.
Cécilia in Concert at the Historic Lyceum
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S Washington Street
Tuesday, March 10
7 p.m.
$40 per person; $12 for ages 12-17
Purchase Tickets
Widely recognized as three of Canada's finest musicians, it is a pleasure to see how much enjoyment Timi Turmel, Erin Leahy, and Louis Schryer
find in playing together. While honouring their heritage as Cécilia, their music making has an undeniably fresh and high-spirited sound.
They bring the best of many musical worlds together in their explorations of traditional, Celtic and Quebecois music. Every one of their pieces is skillfully arranged and highlighted with influences from contemporary, classical, jazz and swing styles. Cécilia's recent debut album Accent is an impressive offering full of vibrant rhythms and melodies, all resonating with a unique warmth and richness of expression.
Historic Happy Hours
Il Porto, 121 King Street
Thursday, March 12
5-7:30 p.m.
Join us for Historic Happy Hours to learn more about the research taking place in Historic Alexandria. 10% of all checks will benefit Historic Alexandria and America250 events.
Upcoming Historic Happy Hours:
March 12 - Il Porto
April 9 - Vola’s Dockside Grill
May 14 - O’Connell’s Irish Pub
June 11 - The Wharf
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.
The Alexandria Archaeology Museum and its staff offices will be closed on Tuesday, February 24 due to scheduled building maintenance.
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
Thursdays & Fridays, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sundays, 1 – 5 p.m.
Friendship Firehouse Museum
Next open on Saturday, February 14, 11 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, 1– 5 p.m.
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
Wednesdays–Fridays, 11 a.m.– 4 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sundays 1 - 5 p.m.
Virginia 250 Passport
Historic Alexandria is proud to join 70 premier historic destinations across Virginia in the launch of the Virginia 250 Passport, a first-of-its-kind statewide tourism journey celebrating America’s 250th. Featured Alexandria museums include Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, and the Alexandria Black History Museum. The passport offers prizes and discounts to encourage families to explore Virginia’s rich history together. Beginning November 11, 2025, free passports will be available at major historic sites and Virginia Welcome Centers. Learn more at VirginiaHistory.org/250Passport.
New Exhibit: “Disease and the Apothecary” – Now open
Explore how epidemics like Smallpox, Yellow Fever, and Influenza shaped Alexandria’s past and how science and public health saved lives. Included with admission. Free for Alexandria residents! The new exhibit is also available online.
New Exhibit: Union Navy Exhibition at Fort Ward Museum
A new exhibition, “Aboard Ship with the Jack-Tars of the Union Navy,” opened October 2 at the City of Alexandria’s Fort Ward Museum. The exhibit focuses on the U.S. Navy during the Civil War and is being held in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Navy on October 13, 1775. The exhibition will continue through 2026. The exhibit, with pictures of select objects, is also available online.
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
On February 20, 1950, civil rights pioneer and longtime Alexandria resident, Freeman H.M. Murray, 90, was struck and killed by a car at North Washington and Oronoco streets. Murray had been one of 29 men at a meeting organized by W.E.B. DuBois in 1905 on the Canadian side of the Niagara River. The meeting called for an end to racial discrimination and disenfranchisement, and the Niagara Movement led to the founding of the NAACP four years later in 1909.
Upcoming Commission and Committee Events
Commissions Supporting Historic Alexandria
February 17 Historic Alexandria Resources Commission
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
7-9 p.m.February 18 Alexandria Archaeological Commission
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
7-9 p.m.February 23 Sister Cities Committee (SCC) - Dundee and Helsingborg
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
7-8:30 p.m.February 23 George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee
Virtual meeting. Register via Zoom to participate.
7-9 p.m.March 3 Public Records Advisory Commission
Archives and Records Center, 801 South Payne Street
7:30 p.m.March 9 Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
7-9 p.m.March 9 Committee of Inquiry’s research team meeting
Alexandria Black History Museum
7 p.m.March 11 Alexandria Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission (AHRPC)
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
8 a.m.March 11 Alexandria Community Remembrance Project Steering Committee
Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street
5:30 p.m.