may 4–10, 2026
What's New
May is Historic Preservation Month! Did you know that the 1976 Bicentennial Celebrations marking the nation’s 200th birthday was a major catalyst for historic preservation in Alexandria? During this time, the Lyceum, Gadsby’s Tavern and Carlyle House all underwent extensive restorations. Don't miss visiting these museums and taking part in public programs this month: https://www.alexandriava.gov/Historic
FEATURED EVENTS
Specialty Tour: Peeling Back the Layers–Behind the Scenes
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N Royal Street
Saturdays - May 9, 16, 23, 30
11 a.m.
$15 per person, Historic Alexandria Members: $12/person
Purchase tickets.
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!
Preservation Tours: Lost Buildings of Alexandria Urban Renewal
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Saturdays in May (16th & 23rd)
10 a.m. - Noon
$20
Purchase Tickets
In honor of National Preservation Month, join Carlyle House on a tour of “Lost Alexandria.” Urban renewal projects across the country took place starting in the 1950s, where government and private initiatives aimed at addressing urban decay, upgrading infrastructure, and revitalizing city neighborhoods. In the 1960s, the Gadsby Commercial Urban Renewal Project changed and demolished portions of multiple blocks including the 300-500 block of King Street.
During May’s Preservation Tours, tour guides will lead groups through the south side of the 300-500 blocks of King Street and parts of the 100 blocks of N. Fairfax, N. Royal, & N. Pitt Streets to discuss what had been here, why they were destroyed, and how that impacted Alexandria.
Oral History in the Mid-Atlantic Region (OHMAR) 2026 Annual Meeting
Events will occur at two venues in Alexandria, Virginia, the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum (201 S. Washington Street) and Lloyd House (220 N. Washington Street)
Thursday, May 7 at 9 a.m. to Friday, May 8 at 3 p.m.
Standard Conference Ticket: $65
Student Ticket: $35
Register Here
Oral History in the Mid-Atlantic Region (OHMAR) and The Alexandria Oral History Center, invite you to our 2026 Annual Conference themed “Witnessing State Violence: Oral History and Liberatory Praxis.” The theme encourages attendees to think critically about the role that oral history has in documenting and resisting state violence, to include municipal, provincial/state and federal forms of violence – via two key aspects of oral history practice: witnessing and power.
A special workshop will be on Friday, May 8
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Workshop Ticket: $15
Register Here
The local community is welcome to register for just the workshop: “Holding Multiple Truths: How Oral Historians Can Tell a Story From All Sides” facilitated by Shilpi Malinowski.
In this workshop, author, journalist and oral historian Shilpi Malinowski will share her process for examining the gentrification of D.C. from all sides, including the displaced, newcomers, for-profit and nonprofit developers, those who feel disrespected, and those who are unsure if they belong.
Upcoming Events
View the Historic Alexandria Calendar
Yoga on the Magnolia Terrace
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 6 p.m.
Saturdays: 9 a.m. & 10:15 a.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. 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.
Grown-Up Field Trip: Archives (Archives & Records Center)–SOLD OUT!
Archives and Records, 801 S. Payne Street
Friday, May 8
6:30 - 8 p.m.
Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex Walking Tour
1475 Wilkes Street
Intersection of Wilkes Street and Hamilton Avenue within the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex, Alexandria, VA
Saturday, May 9
1 -2 p.m.
$15
Purchase Tickets
Join public historian David Heiby for a guided walking tour exploring what is often described as the most historic cluster of cemeteries in the United States. Established after Alexandria’s devastating yellow fever epidemic of 1803 and the city’s 1804 burial edict, the complex represents more than two centuries of American history.
Love You A Bunch: Mother’s Day Victorian Bouquet Making–SOLD OUT!
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Sunday, May 10
2 - 4 p.m.
Historic Happy Hours
O’Connell’s Irish Pub, 112 King Street
Thursday, May 14
5 - 7:30 p.m.
10% of proceeds from the evening will go towards supporting the 250th commemorations.
Unwind in Old Town at Historic Happy Hours while connecting with the work of Historic Alexandria as we mark the nation’s 250th! Historic Alexandria staff will share recent research during the event.
For more information, visit Alexandriava.gov/America250.
Discovering Alexandria Architecture Walking Tour
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Saturday, May 16
10 - 11:30 a.m.
$20
Purchase Tickets (2 openings remaining!)
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.
Civil War Concert at Fort Ward
Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site, 4301 West Braddock Rd., Alexandria
Saturday, May 16
11 a.m. - Noon
Suggested donation is $2 per person or $5 per family.
Celebrate Armed Forces Day by enjoying a special outdoor concert of Civil War-era music on the lawn of Fort Ward Museum. The 8th Green Machine Regiment Band, a historical ensemble sponsored by George Mason University, will perform a variety of popular songs of the Civil War on authentic 19th-century instruments. The concert, sponsored by the Friends of Fort Ward, is weather dependent.
Attendees can also learn more about the essential role of music during this pivotal period of American history in Fort Ward Museum’s newly opened exhibit, “Buglers & Brass Bands: Soldier Musicians in the Civil War.” A variety of musical instruments and sheet music from the Museum’s extensive Civil War collection will be featured.
Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site is located at 4301 West Braddock Road in Alexandria. Fort Ward is the best preserved of the Union forts that comprised the Civil War Defenses of Washington.
Alexandria Women’s History Walk
Alexandria Visitor Center (Ramsay House), 221 King Street
Saturday, May 16
Noon - 2 p.m.
Free and open to all
RSVP online
As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, Alexandria Celebrates Women! If you have wondered how women helped put our city on the map, now is your chance to learn about them.
Join Alexandria Celebrates Women Vice President Gayle Converse on a three-mile trek through the city, while making brief outdoor stops at historic sites associated with women to discuss Alexandria’s heroines of the past and the history of each site. Participants are welcome to join all or any portion of the Walk.
Selected historic sites include the Ramsay House, the Carlyle House, City Hall, Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, the Kate Waller Barret House, and others.
The Walk begins at the William and Ann Ramsay House (now the Alexandria Visitor’s Center) at 221 King Street in Old Town. Comfortable shoes and water are recommended.
Girl Scout Day: Investigators and Detectives
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Saturday, May 16
Noon - 3 p.m.
$12 per scout, $6 per tag-a-long (non-scout sibling)
To register and pay for this special program, scout leaders should email carlyle@nvrpa.org or call 703-549-2997.
Come learn about being a detective and investigator during our special Girl Scout Day Program! Scouts will learn about fingerprinting, forensics, and solving puzzles. This program requires 1.5 to 2 hours to complete. Groups do not need to arrive at 12 p.m. However, it is required that scout groups arrive by 1:30 p.m. to have enough time to complete all activities. The Adventure Program will assist in obtaining the following badges: Daisy and Brownies: Cybersecurity Investigators and STEM Career Exploration, Juniors: Detectives and STEM Career Exploration.
It is recommended that participants bring a bag of some type to carry crafts and handouts from the program. This program is outdoors and will take place rain or shine. Please dress for the weather and wear appropriate walking shoes.
Civil War Living History Day
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Saturday, May 16
2 - 4 p.m.
$15
Reserve tickets
Civil War Living History Day will explore the lives and losses of soldiers at the Grosvenor Branch Hospital. This program is sure to educate all ages through activities, mini-lectures, and stations, immersing them in local and national history by inviting participants to assume the role of historical figures.
Carlyle House: Self Guided Sundays
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Sunday, May 17
Noon - 3 p.m.
$5 per person (children 5 and under are free)
On the third Sunday of every month, explore the first floor of Carlyle House at your own pace. Docents will be available throughout the house if you have questions. Tickets can only be purchased the day of in the museum shop.
City of Alexandria to Host Sails on the Potomac and ALX Jazz Fest, June 12-14
Sails on the Potomac is a free community event from June 12 to 14. You can view and tour historic tall ships, including the Gazela, Kalmar Nyckel, Providence, and Sultana. Join us for family activities, art, and history as we recognize Alexandria’s role in the birth of our nation.
Ship Tours and Tickets
You can tour the ships for free while they are docked in Alexandria. Everyone, (including children) needs a free timed ticket. Reserve your tickets online in advance at alexandriava.gov/Sails250.
A walk-up line will be available, but entry is not guaranteed without a ticket.
Experience ALX Jazz Fest During Sails on the Potomac
As part of Sails on the Potomac, the annual ALX Jazz Fest will celebrate its 48th year! Three days of music kicks off on Friday, June 12 at noon. Admission to the Festival is free!
Celebrate three days of live music at the Alexandria Waterfront as the ALX Jazz Fest expands for its 48th year as part of Sails on the Potomac.
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
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: Civil War Music – Opening Saturday, May 16
Fort Ward Museum (4301 W Braddock Rd.) in Alexandria will open a new exhibit, “Buglers & Brass Bands: Soldier Musicians in the Civil War,” on May 16. The exhibit will explore the essential role that music played in the daily life of the Civil War soldier, in camp and on the battlefield. The exhibit features a variety of musical instruments and sheet music of the period from the Museum’s extensive Civil War collection. The exhibit will be on view through May 2027.
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
On May 7, 1991, Patricia S. “Patsy” Ticer became the first woman to be elected Mayor of Alexandria. She had served as mayor since January of that year, filling a vacancy, and she continued to hold that office until 1996 when she began serving in the Virginia State Senate.
Upcoming Commission and Committee Events
Commissions Supporting Historic Alexandria
May 5 Public Records Advisory Commission
Archives and Records Center, 801 South Payne Street.
7:30 p.m.May 11 Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
7-9 p.m.May 13 Alexandria Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
8-9:15 a.m.May 18 George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee (GWBCC)
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
7-8:30 p.m.May 19 Historic Alexandria Resources Commission
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
7-9 p.m.May 20 Alexandria Archaeological Commission
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
7 p.m.May 26 Alexandria Sister Cities Committee - Dundee, Scotland and Helsingborg, Sweden
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
7-8:30 p.m.