april 20–26, 2026

What's New

FEATURED EVENT

Spring2ACTion 2026 - Reimagining Friendship Firehouse Museum

Spring2ACTion is this Wednesday! Make your gift online to help us reimagine what is next for the Friendship Firehouse Museum. Your gift will support the updated research, design, and installation of a new experience at the museum. Join us onsite on April 22 for special museum hours from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and our Power Hour Happy Hour from 6–8 p.m. Your donation is your ticket!

Upcoming Events

View the Historic Alexandria Calendar                                                                                                                                                      

Alexandria Historical Society Announces 2026 History Awards Ceremony Featuring Dr. Peter Henriques 
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street
Wednesday, April 22
7 p.m. (Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and light refreshments will be available)
The event is free and open to the public. 
Learn More!

The Alexandria Historical Society (AHS) will host its annual History Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at 7 p.m. at The Lyceum. The event is free and open to the public. 

This year’s program will feature keynote speaker Dr. Peter Henriques, Professor Emeritus of History at George Mason University, and will honor recipients of the T. Michael Miller Alexandria History Award, the AHS Special Merit Award, and the Alexandria High School History Awards.

For more than 40 years, the Alexandria Historical Society has honored individuals and students who have made noteworthy contributions to the preservation, research, and interpretation of Alexandria’s historic heritage. This year’s ceremony will once again celebrate outstanding achievement in local history and historical scholarship. 

ACRP Joseph McCoy Remembrance Event
Roberts Memorial United Methodist Church, 606 South Washington St.
Thursday, April 23
7-8:15 p.m. (Reception starts at 6:30 p.m.)
Free

In Remembrance of Joseph McCoy, the Alexandria Community Remembrance Project (ACRP) invites the public to an evening of reflection with Dr. Rodney Sadler at Roberts Memorial United Methodist Church on April 23, 2026, 129 years after McCoy’s lynching in Alexandria. 

The widely published Dr. Sadler plans to explore the historic use of violence by those invested with authority and power, with remarks titled, “Governed by Fear and Hate: The Tools of the Supremacist State.” 

Rev. Dr. Sadler heads up the Center for Social Justice and Reconciliation at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he focuses on the nexus of race, faith, and politics. In addition to his writings, he hosts a national radio program called “Politics of Faith,” a series of discussions called “Dangerous Dialogues,” and he represents his district in the North Carolina State Legislature. He has a number of connections to the District and NOVA–he is a graduate of Howard University and has been a senior fellow at George Mason University’s Center for World Religion, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution. 

Roberts Memorial United Methodist Church, one of the most historic Black churches in Alexandria, was the home church for the McCoy family. This will be the second time Roberts Memorial will host the Remembrance event. Parking is permitted at Demaine Funeral Home and as available on nearby streets. 

Yoga on the Magnolia Terrace
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
April 25th - October 22nd
Saturdays: 9 a.m. & 10:15 a.m. 
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 6 p.m.
$10 a class
Purchase Tickets

Join our friends at Carlyle House for an hour-long gentle flow Yoga Class on Carlyle House’s Magnolia Terrace. Please bring water, a towel, and a yoga mat. Wear comfortable yoga wear. 

Starting on April 25th, classes will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6pm and Saturdays at 9am and 10:15am. Class may be canceled due to inclement weather, you will receive an email if class is canceled. Tickets are non-refundable unless class is cancelled by the museum.

Having trouble registering? Please call 703-549-2997.

Beyond the Battlefield: A Civil War Walking Tour of Alexandria
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Saturday, April 25
10 - 11:30 a.m.
$17.85 (includes a $2.85 fee)
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.

The tour is limited to 12 participants and lasts approximately an hour and a half. 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.
 

Discovering Alexandria Architecture Walking Tour
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Saturday, April 25
10 a.m.
$20 per person
Purchase Tickets

Alexandria has grown from a small town in the 18th century to a bustling small city in the 21st century. Join us for a tour of Alexandria  as we explore looking at the various Architecture styles that adorn the city streets and make it one of the best places to live and work.

Reservations are required as space is limited. Please wear comfortable shoes for this 1.5 hour guided tour. The tour is held rain or shine unless there is severe weather. 

Having trouble registering? Please call 703-549-2997 or email carlyle@nvrpa.org.
 

Shall Not Be Denied: Alexandria Women and the Fight for the Ballot
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Saturday, April 25
2 p.m.
$17.85 (includes a $2.85 fee)
Purchase Tickets

This lecture examines Alexandria women’s contributions to the suffrage movement through biographical profiles, local activism, and the history of key organizations. The talk will explore the lives and work of Alexandria women who organized, advocated, and mobilized for the vote, with particular attention to the Equal Suffrage League of Virginia and the Virginia League of Women Voters. By situating individual stories within broader local, state, and national efforts, this lecture reveals how Alexandria women helped shape the strategies and successes of the suffrage movement.

Building on the Shall Not Be Denied exhibition currently on display at the Lee-Fendall House Museum through May 31st, this lecture expands on the themes introduced in the gallery. While the exhibition offers an overview of Alexandria women’s suffrage work, this lecture provides a deeper exploration of the people, organizations, and historical context behind the movement, drawing on additional research, archival materials, and personal narratives not fully explored in the exhibit.
 

American Revolution Bingo
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Saturday, April 25
6-7:30 p.m.
$12 per person
Purchase Tickets

Join us for a fun evening of Bingo a la American Revolution theme! Not only will we have bingo themes based on historic figures but there will be rounds on the American Revolution in Pop Culture. Prizes will be given out to each round’s winner. Ticket price includes 1 mocktail and small bites. Additional mocktails may be purchased onsite. Tickets are non-refundable unless the program is cancelled by the museum.

Having trouble registering? Please call 703-549-2997 or email carlyle@nvrpa.org
 

Specialty Tour: A Magical Apothecary 
The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105-107 S Fairfax Street 
Sunday, April 26
11 a.m. - Noon
$15 per person, Historic Alexandria Members: $12/person 
Reserve tickets.

Learn about the muggle botanical science that inspired the potions and herbology of Harry Potter's wizarding world on a tour of this 19th century apothecary, and make your own magical potion! Recommended for ages 8 and up. Children must be accompanied by a ticket-holding adult.
 

"From Enslavement to Justice: How African Americans Forced Change in Alexandria" A Walking Tour of the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex
Old Presbyterian Meeting House Dismantling Racism Team 
Corner of Wilkes Street and Hamilton Avenue (1475–1501 Wilkes Street)
Sunday, April 26
2 - 3:30 p.m.
Free and open to the public — Registration required
Register here.

Join the Old Presbyterian Meeting House Dismantling Racism Team for a walking tour of Alexandria's historic Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex titled "From Enslavement to Justice: How African Americans Forced Change in Alexandria."

This tour examines how African Americans — both enslaved and free — forced legal, social, and moral change in Alexandria, from slavery and segregation to emancipation, military service, burial rights, and the long struggle for justice and recognition. Using burial grounds as primary historical sources, the tour highlights resistance, resilience, and reform across generations.

The tour will be led by David Heiby, public historian, member of Old Presbyterian Meeting House, and Superintendent of the Presbyterian Cemetery & Columbarium. David serves on the boards of the Alexandria Historical Society and the Virginia Trust for Historic Preservation (which owns and operates the Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden), and regularly presents lectures and tours on Alexandria's history.

Meet at the corner of Wilkes Street and Hamilton Avenue. The meeting point address is 1475–1501 Wilkes Street, Alexandria, Virginia. The tour covers approximately one mile across several cemeteries within the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex. Please wear good walking shoes. Limited bathroom access. Tour proceeds rain or shine except in extreme weather.

The Women of Lee-Fendall
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Wednesday, April 29
11 a..m.- Noon
$17.85 (includes a $2.85 fee)
Purchase Tickets

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.

Traditional Music Concert Series at The Lyceum
Dylan Foley & Matt Mancuso
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street
Friday, May 1
7:30 - 9:30 p.m. 
$30; $15 ages 12-17
Purchase tickets. 

Dylan Foley and Matt Mancuso are New York-based musicians who frequently collaborate in the Irish traditional music scene. They are both accomplished fiddle players and have appeared on several albums and at festivals together.

Foley is an award-winning fiddle player known for his performances with musicians like Isaac Alderson. He and Alderson released an album together in 2017 called The Palace Sessions, which featured Matt Mancuso on trumpet. He is a frequent performer at Irish music events and venues, including past collaborations with Josh Dukes.

Mancuso is a talented multi-instrumentalist who plays both fiddle and trumpet. He is known for his daring and dynamic fiddle playing. He has performed in various bands and at numerous Irish music events.

Foley and Mancuso have regularly played together at live events in New York and other locations. The album “The Palace Sessions: (2017) features Isaac Alderson and Dylan Foley and includes Matt Mancuso on trumpet. Proceeds from the record were donated to disaster relief.

Specialty Tour: Peeling Back the Layers–Behind the Scenes
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N Royal Street
Saturdays - May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
11 a.m. 
$15 per person, Historic Alexandria Members: $12/person 
Purchase tickets. 

May is Preservation Month! Explore Gadsby's Tavern Museum top to bottom, including spaces rarely opened to the public, and understand how the buildings have changed over time.  Wear comfortable shoes and bring your camera! Please note this tour involves ascending and descending multiple sets of stairs, including into the rarely on view fourth floor, complete with historic graffiti! 

Family Fun Day, May 2nd- Beautiful Bees!
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Saturday, May 2
Noon - 3 p.m.
Free

Read and craft with your friends on the Carlyle House front Lawn for Family Fun Day. 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.

Beyond the Battlefield: A Civil War Walking Tour of Alexandria
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Saturday, May 2
10 - 11:30 a.m.
$17.85 (includes a $2.85 fee)
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.

The tour is limited to 12 participants and lasts approximately an hour and a half. 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.

Whisky Tasting at The Lyceum — Tickets Now Available!
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum
Saturday, May 2
6 - 8 p.m.
General admission tickets are $75. Only 30 general admission tickets left! Purchase tickets 
VIP tickets - SOLD OUT!

The City of Alexandria’s Sister Cities Committee invites whisky lovers and curious sippers alike to its annual signature event. Guests will enjoy a guided tasting across the whisky regions of Scotland, gaining insights into the craftsmanship and culture behind each pour. This informative program will help you learn all about the rich tapestry that is Scotch whisky, enable you to sample five different whiskies from across Scotland, and provide an opportunity to ask questions and share personal insights. 

General admission includes hors d’oeuvres and whiskey tasting with a souvenir Glencairn glass. Wine and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for non-whisky drinkers. A raffle will also be held with prizes, with tickets available for cash purchase at the event. Minimum age: 21. All proceeds support the Alexandria Sister Cities Committee and its mission to support the educational and cultural exchanges between Alexandria, VA and her sister cities of Dundee, Scotland and Helsingborg, Sweden.

Wine & Art Night
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Saturday, May 2
6 - 9:30 p.m.
From $81.88
Purchase Tickets

Join us for Wine & Art Night at Lee-Fendall, an elegant evening inspired by the excitement and style of the Kentucky Derby. Celebrate spring in the historic Lee-Fendall Garden with fine wine, local art, delicious food, and a festive Derby atmosphere.

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

Friendship Firehouse Museum
Open Wednesday, April 22 11 a.m.– 4 p.m. for Spring2ACTion!
Saturday, May 16, 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 through 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.

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: Women in Business: We Were Always Here  – Now open

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N Royal Street
Visit the Historic Alexandria website or see below for museum hours. 
Included with cost of admission
Adults: $5, Children (ages 5-12): $3, Children four and under are free with a paying adult. Admission is free for City of Alexandria residents. 

Gadsby’s new exhibit featuring Hannah Griffith, a female coffeehouse operator at this location, is now open! The exhibit is included in regular admission. 

Visitors will be able to see primary sources up close to explore how women appear (and don’t) in the historical record in the 18th century. In addition to Hannah’s story, visitors will learn about the female business owners on the block around City Hall today, highlighting how women continue to be an important part of Alexandria’s business community. All of the women-owned businesses facing City Hall are included in this exhibit—14 total owned by 17 women! 

The exhibit will be up through March 2027.

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. 

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

More from This Day in History

On April 27, 1850, the City of Alexandria presented a block of Virginia marble to be used in construction of the Washington Monument. The monument was begun in 1848 and based on the design of architect Robert Mills, who also designed Alexandria’s 1838 Federal courthouse that once stood at the northwest corner of Queen and North Columbus Streets. Construction on the monument proceeded apace until 1854, when it was stopped due to lack of funds and control of the Washington National Monument Society, and later the Civil War. Construction resumed in 1877 with the final completion in 1885. By that time, the colonnade was eliminated from the original design and the flat top of the column was replaced by a pyramidion. The pause in construction is clearly visible by a change in stone color at the 152’ height, with Alexandria’s stone in the lower portion. At just under 555 feet, the structure surpassed the Cologne cathedral in height and became the world’s tallest man-made structure until the Eiffel Tower was built in 1889. However, the Washington Monument retains its titles as both the tallest obelisk and tallest stone structure in the world.

Upcoming Commission and Committee Events

Commissions Supporting Historic Alexandria
 

• April 20 George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee (GWBCC)
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  7-8:30 p.m.

• April 21 Historic Alexandria Resources Commission
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  7-9 p.m.

• April 27 Alexandria Sister Cities Committee - Dundee, Scotland and Helsingborg, Sweden
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  7-8:30 p.m.

• May 5 Public Records Advisory Commission
  Archives and Records Center, 801 South Payne Street. 
  7:30 p.m.

• May 13 Alexandria Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  8-9:15 a.m.

• May 20 Alexandria Archaeological Commission
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  7 p.m.