African American History Division

Since 1982, the role of the Office of Historic Alexandria has expanded beyond the walls of its museums to historic interpretation of the whole City. The African American History division is a part of a larger reorganization of OHA, which will prioritize resident outreach, improve visitor experience, and regularly engage residents in City initiatives. This new division will ensure the continued inclusion of Black History in City museums and public programming, as well as advancing the City’s goal of building a welcoming community through equity and inclusion.

Kwanzaa at the Alexandria Black History Museum

December 14 (Purchase tickets, $3 per person)
Learn about the origins, concepts, practices, and foods of Kwanzaa! Members of the staff will share the historical foundation of Kwanzaa and its seven principles. Program includes a candle lighting, a food tasting, and information on craft projects will be shared.

Exhibit: Moss H. Kendrix: Reframing the Black Image

Moss H. Kendrix: Reframing the Black Image Exhibit

Moss Kendrix Collection

"Moss H. Kendrix: Reframing the Black Image" is a new exhibit at the Alexandria Black History Museum. Celebrating the life and pioneering work of Kendrix, "The Father of Black P.R.," this exhibition showcases his groundbreaking campaigns and enduring influence on consumer culture.

Programs and Events

Juneteenth sign: Celebrating with the Alexandria Black History Museum

Learn about our annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Black History Month, Juneteenth and Kwanzaa programs and upcoming events.

Washington Revels, Jubilee Voices (Photo, Tim Ervin/NPS)

Watch lectures, concerts and more about Alexandria's African American history and culture.

The Equal Justice Initiative pillar records two documented lynchings in Alexandria

The Alexandria Community Remembrance Project (ACRP) is a city-wide initiative dedicated to helping Alexandria understand its history of racial terror hate crimes and to work toward creating a welcoming community bound by equity and inclusion. Attend programs, read newsletters, and become involved.

Museums

The Black History Museum at 902 Wythe Street is located in the 1940 Robert H. Robinson Library. The Museum uses its large collection to inspire the public to explore the integral relationship between African American history and other cultural traditions, through exhibits and public programs.

The Watson Reading Room currently has over 4,000 holdings documenting African American history. Books, periodicals, dissertations, and theses are accessible by patrons. This library is a non-circulating facility.

Freedom House Museum with historic marker (credit, R. Kennedy for Visit Alexandria)

The Freedom House Museum at 1315 Duke Street honors the lives and experiences of the enslaved and free Black people who lived in and were trafficked through Alexandria.

Parks and Trails

Alexandria African American Heritage Park

The Park on Holland Lane is open dawn to dusk. Sculptures throughout the park commemorate historic African American Neighborhoods and the people known and unknown buried in the historic Black Baptist Cemetery on this site.

Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial with sculpture and wall of names

The Memorial at 1001 S. Washington Street is open dawn to dusk. The Memorial is on the site of a cemetery that served as the burial place for about 1,800 African Americans who fled to Alexandria to escape from bondage during the Civil War.

cover of GIS StoryMap for AAHT North Route

Alexandria's African American history is told through an online StoryMap and can be experienced in-home on your computer or on your smartphone as you walk the trails along the Potomac River.

History

Alexandria's African American history includes a vibrant Black population dating to the 18th century, one of the largest slave trading operations, and America's first Sit-Down Strike in the early days of the Civil Rights movement.

Parker-Gray students and faculty, old school (catalogue BHM2012-2-548)

The Parker-Gray School provided African American children with comprehensive education at a time when segregation and lack of resources, teachers, and facilities threatened what is now understood as a fundamental right of every child.

Watson Reading Room Interior with tables and bookshelves

Explore these books, brochures and lesson plans to learn more about the history of Alexandria's African American community.

Two people speaking into recording microphones

The Alexandria Oral History Center is a community-driven collaboration to document and preserve the memories and stories of Alexandria. Search the Online Oral History Archive for transcriptions about the African American community, and learn how you can share your story.

The Fort Heritage Trail Sign: From Civil War to Civil Rights

After the Civil War, a neighborhood known as The Fort grew up around Fort Ward, one of the Union forts built as part of the Defenses of Washington. Learn about the history and archaeology, and about the Interpretive Plan for Fort Ward Park that will include the history of this community.

Out of the Attic article, Alexandria Times

"Out of the Attic" has appeared in the Alexandria Times newspaper since 2007. Search the archives to learn more about the African American community.

Douglass Cemetery Entrance, October 2021

Douglass Memorial Cemetery

Douglass Memorial Cemetery, located at 1421 Wilkes Street, was established in 1895 as a segregated, nondenominational African American cemetery. The historic burial ground faces several preservation challenges. The City of Alexandria is developing plans to study and determine solutions that are respectful and appropriate to the sensitive nature of the site.

Comprehensive Plan: Freedom House Museum

The Office of Historic Alexandria is engaging with the community and stakeholders to create the Comprehensive Plan for the Freedom House Museum at 1315 Duke Street. The Comprehensive Plan will provide a road map for the future use, interpretation, and preservation of the site.

Fort Ward Park Entrance Sign at Braddock Road

Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Management Plan

Learn about the Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Management Plan and how it is being implemented. Learn the history of the African American community known as The Fort, and what is being done to preserve and interpret its historic resources during park improvements.

Black Education in Alexandria: A Legacy of Triumph and Struggle

Learn about the history of Black education in Alexandria, from 1793 to today, in this new feature launched on Juneteenth.

Participants at the 5th anniversary walk through the gates into the cemetery

Visit Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial

A candlelight vigil marked the 10th anniversary of the Memorial's dedication. The Memorial honors the hundreds of African Americans who died in Alexandria during the Civil War. Many were refugees from bondage in Maryland and Virginia, who were seeking protection under Union soldiers. Learn about this community and the cemetery's history and preservation.

Wreath in memory of Benjamin Thomas, lynched on August 8, 1899 (2020)

City of Alexandria, VA

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African American History Division