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Alexandria Archaeological Commission (AAC)

The Commission establishes goals and priorities for the City's program; and acquires, preserves, and displays all the artifacts found. It works with federal, state and local governments, private foundations, citizens, area schools and colleges.
Page updated on June 10, 2025 at 5:40 PM

Historic Alexandria

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About the Alexandria Archaeological Commission

The Commission usually meets at 7:00 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month. Meetings are open to the public – see calendar for meeting location. The Commission encourages the public to attend, to find out what’s been dug up around town, and to express opinions on what should be studied and preserved.

The Alexandria Archaeological Commission was established in 1975 and reauthorized by Ordinance No. 3773 in 1995. 

Commission Members

Commission members must be Alexandria city residents and are appointed by the Alexandria City Council. Approximately five hours per month are required of Commission members. Vacancies on all Alexandria Boards and Commissions are listed in the local newspapers, or call Citizen Assistance at 703-746-4800 or the director of Alexandria Archaeology at 703-746-4399. 

For further information about the responsibilities of this board or commission, or to apply to serve on this board or commission, contact the City Clerk's Office at 703.746.4550.

Member Roster and Application Link

The commission is made up of representatives of the following organizations:

  • 5 Members at-large
  • 1 Citizen member from each of the three Planning Districts
  • 1 Member from the Alexandria Association
  • 1 Member from the business community   
  • 1 Member from the Visit Alexandria Board of Governors                  
  • 1 Member from the Alexandria Historical Society
  • 1 Member from the Alexandria Society for the Preservation of Black Heritage or an equivalent organization
  • 1 Member from the Friends of Alexandria Archaeology
  • 1 Member from the Historic Alexandria Foundation

Terms of Service

4-year term

City Staff Contact

Eleanor Breen, City Archaeologist, Office of Historic Alexandria, 703.746.4718

Agendas and Minutes

2025 Agendas and Minutes

Check the calendar to see if the meeting is virtual or in person. The meeting registration link for virtual meetings is posted on the calendar. In-person meetings are held at the Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street.

Meeting Videos are provided for virtual meetings.

  • May 21, 2025 Agenda
  • April 16, 2025  Agenda, Minutes
  • March 19, 2025  Agenda, Minutes
  • February 19, 2025  Agenda, Minutes
  • January 15, 2025  Agenda, Minutes

2024 Agendas and Minutes

Check the calendar to see if the meeting is virtual or in person. The meeting registration link for virtual meetings is posted on the calendar. In-person meetings are held at the Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street.

Meeting Videos are provided for virtual meetings.

  • December 18, 2024  Agenda, Minutes
  • November 20, 2024  Agenda, Minutes
  • October 16, 2024  Agenda, Minutes
  • September 18, 2024  Agenda, Minutes
  • August 2024  No Meeting
  • July 17, 2024  Agenda, Minutes
  • June 12, 2024  Agenda, Minutes
  • May 15, 2024  Agenda, Minutes
  • April 17, 2024  Agenda, Minutes
  • March 20, 2024  Agenda, Minutes
  • February 21, 2024 Agenda, Minutes
  • January 17, 2024  Agenda, Minutes

2023 Agendas and Minutes

Check the calendar to see if the meeting is virtual or in person. The meeting registration link for virtual meetings is posted on the calendar. In-person meetings are held at the Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street.

Meeting Videos are provided for virtual meetings.

  • December 2023  No Meeting
  • November 15, 2023  Agenda, Minutes
  • October 18, 2023  Agenda, Minutes
  • September 20, 2023  Agenda, Minutes
  • August 2023  No Meeting
  • July 19, 2023  Agenda, Minutes
  • June 21, 2023  Agenda, Minutes
  • May 17, 2023  Agenda, Minutes
  • April 19, 2023  Agenda, Minutes
  • March 15, 2023  Agenda, Minutes
  • February 15, 2023  Agenda, Minutes
  • January 18, 2023  Agenda, Minutes

AAC 50th Anniversary Planning Meetings

  • July 19, 2023

2022 Agendas and Minutes

Check the calendar to see if the meeting is virtual or in person. The meeting registration link for virtual meetings is posted on the calendar. In-person meetings are held at the Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street.

Meeting Videos are provided for virtual meetings.

  • December 14, 2022  Agenda, Minutes
  • November 16, 2022  Agenda, Minutes
  • October 19, 2022  Agenda, Minutes
  • September 21, 2022  Agenda, Minutes
  • August 2022  No Meeting
  • July 20, 2022  Agenda, Minutes
  • June 15, 2022  Agenda, Minutes
  • May 18, 2022  Agenda, Minutes
  • April 20, 2022  Agenda, Minutes
  • March 16, 2022  Agenda, Meeting Video, Minutes
  • February 16, 2022  Agenda, Meeting Video, Minutes
  • January 19, 2022  Agenda, Meeting Video,Minutes

2021 Agendas and Minutes

Meeting Videos are provided for virtual meetings.

  • December 15, 2021  Agenda, Meeting Video, Minutes
  • November 17, 2021  Agenda, Meeting Video, Minutes
  • October 20, 2021  Agenda, Meeting Video, Minutes
  • September 15, 2021  Agenda, Meeting Video, Minutes
  • August 18, 2021  Cancelled
  • July 21, 2021  Agenda, Minutes
  • June 16, 2021  Agenda, Meeting Video, Minutes
  • May 19, 2021  Agenda, Meeting Video, Minutes
  • April 21, 2021   Agenda, Meeting Video, Minutes
  • March 17, 2021   Agenda, Meeting Video, Minutes
  • February 17, 2021  Agenda, Meeting Video, Minutes
  • January 20, 2021  Cancelled

2020 Agendas and Minutes

Meeting Videos are provided for virtual meetings.

  • December 16. 2020   Agenda, Meeting Video, Minutes
  • November 18, 2020  Agenda, Meeting Video, Minutes
  • October 21, 2020  Agenda, Meeting Video, Minutes
  • September 16, 2020   Agenda, Minutes
  • February 19, 2020   Agenda, Minutes
  • January 15, 2020  Agenda, Minutes

2019 Agendas and Minutes

  • December 18, 2019   Agenda, Minutes
  • November 20, 2019   Agenda, Minutes
  • October 16, 2019   Agenda, Minutes
  • September 18, 2019   Agenda, Minutes
  • August 21, 2019   Agenda, Minutes
  • July 17, 2019   Agenda, Minutes
  • May 15, 2019   Agenda, Minutes
  • April 17, 2019   Agenda, Minutes
  • March 20, 2019   Agenda, Minutes
  • February 20, 2019   Agenda
  • January 16, 2019   Agenda, Minutes

2018 Agendas and Minutes

  • December 18, 2018   Agenda, Minutes
  • November 14, 2018   Agenda, Minutes
  • October 17, 2018   Agenda, Minutes
  • September 19, 2018   Agenda, Minutes
  • August 15, 2018   Agenda, Minutes
  • July 18, 2018   Agenda, Minutes
  • June 20, 2018   Agenda
  • May 16, 2018   Agenda
  • April 18, 2018   Agenda, Minutes
  • March 29, 2018   Agenda
  • February 21, 2018   Agenda
  • January 17, 2018  Agenda

2017 Agendas and Minutes

  • December 13, 2017   Agenda
  • November 15, 2017   Agenda
  • October 18, 2017   Agenda
  • September 20, 2017   Agenda
  • August 16, 2017   Agenda
  • July 19, 2017   Agenda
  • June 21, 2017   Agenda
  • May 17, 2017   Agenda
  • April 19, 2017   Agenda
  • March 15, 2017   Agenda
  • February 15, 2017   Agenda, Minutes
  • April 18 2017   Agenda

2016 Agendas and Minutes

  • December 14, 2016   Agenda
  • November 16, 2016   Agenda
  • October 19, 2016   Agenda
  • September 21, 2016   Agenda, Minutes
  • August 17, 2016   Agenda, Minutes
  • July 20, 2016   Agenda
  • June 15, 2016   Agenda, Minutes
  • May 18, 2016   Agenda, Minutes
  • April 20, 2016   Agenda, Minutes
  • March 16, 2016   Agenda, Minutes
  • February 17, 2016   Agenda, Minutes
  • April 20, 2016   Agenda, Minutes

2015 Agendas and Minutes

  • December 15, 2015   Agenda, Minutes
  • November 18, 2015   Agenda, Minutes
  • October 21, 2015   Agenda
  • September 16, 2015   Agenda, Minutes
  • August 19, 2015   Agenda
  • July 15, 2015   Agenda
  • June 17, 2015   Agenda
  • May 20, 2015   Agenda
  • April 15, 2015   Agenda, Joint meeting with the Friends of Alexandria Archaeology
  • March 18, 2015   Minutes
  • February 11, 2015   Minutes
  • January 21, 2015   Agenda, Minutes

Annual Reports

  • Annual Report Fiscal Year 2024
  • Annual Report Fiscal Year 2023 
  • Annual Report Fiscal Year 2022
  • Annual Report Fiscal Year 2021
  • Annual Report Fiscal Year 2020
  • Annual Report Fiscal Year 2019
  • Annual Report Fiscal Year 2018
  • Annual Report Fiscal Year 2017
  • Annual Report Fiscal Year 2016
  • Annual Report Fiscal Year 2015
  • Annual Report Fiscal Year 2014
  • Annual Report Fiscal Year 2013
  • Annual Report Fiscal Year 2012 
  • Annual Report Fiscal Year 2011 
  • Annual Report Fiscal Year 2010 
  • Annual Report Fiscal Year 2009 
  • Annual Report Fiscal Year 2008 
  • Annual Report Fiscal Year 2007
  • Annual Report Fiscal Year 2006 
  • Annual Report Fiscal Year 2005 

Other Reports and Information

Documents

  • Alexandria Archaeological Commission Brochure
  • Alexandria Waterfront History Plan, 2010
  • Strategic Plan: 2007-2015 

Bernard (Ben) Brenman Award for Archaeology 

The Bernard (Ben) Brenman Award for Archaeology is awarded by the Commission to individuals and groups that further the interests of archaeology in Alexandria. Read about past award winners, from 2007 to present. Learn about criteria, eligibility, nomination process and selection process, and submit a nomination form.

The Alexandria Archaeological Commission Celebrates 50 Years in 2025!

Since February 25, 1975, the AAC has been at the forefront of advocating for, preserving, and interpreting the 13,000-year-old archaeological heritage of Alexandria, Virginia. The 15-member Commission, appointed by City Council, is a national model for community archaeology.  Working closely with the City's archaeology staff and other departments, the AAC establishes goals and priorities that advance awareness of Alexandria's rich past and how it informs the present. The City of Alexandria was a pioneer in community-based archaeology, and through the AAC, continues to lead the nation in this field.

 

In the News

  • Celebrating 50 Years: Alexandria’s Archaeological Commission Is Nation’s Oldest. The Zebra, April 3, 2025.
  • Alexandria’s Archaeological Commission, first of its kind in the nation, celebrates 50th anniversary. ALXnow, February 27, 2025 
  • The first of its kind: Alexandria Archaeological Commission turns 50, looks ahead. Alexandria Times, April 3, 2025.

 

Anniversary Awards and Recognition

  • January 31, 2025 - Virginia State Delegate Elizabeth Bennett-Parker presented AAC Chair, Ivy Whitlatch, with House Joint Resolution no. 433 in honor of the anniversary. Patrons of the resolution also included Delegate Charniele Herring, Delegate Alfonso Lopez, and Senator Adam Ebbin.
  • February 25, 2025 – City Council recognized the AAC with a proclamation.
  • May 28, 2025 – The Alexandria Historical Society presented the AAC with the T. Michael Miller Alexandria History Award. The AAC has a mandate to advise City leadership on key issues that impact the Archaeology division. The AAC has played an important role in the hiring of the city’s first archaeologist and the creation of the city’s archaeology protection code, which governs archaeological excavations in the city. The Commission also played a major role in the creation of the Alexandria Archaeology Museum, Tide Lock Park, the Contraband and Freedmen’s Memorial, and the African American Heritage Park. Today there are 3,000,000 artifacts that AAC shares the responsibility with the City to preserve for future generations. 

Archaeology in Alexandria 1961-2011: 50 years of Community Commitment

Presentation to the Alexandria City Council Work Session
September 27, 2011 

In celebration of 50 years of archaeology in the City, then Commission Chair S. Kathleen Pepper discussed the accomplishments of Alexandria Archaeology over 50 years, since the first archaeological investigation at Fort Ward in 1961, as well as the future goals of the department and its commission.

Artifact display boxes with highlights from the City’s archaeology collections were presented to each council member and Mayor Euille for the duration of the meeting, underscoring their role as stewards of the collections. Each box represents a different historical time, place, and topic. All of the objects originated from an archaeological excavation, or site, within the city limits. Artifact display box topics include: American Indians, an enslaved washerwoman, sugar refining, Alexandria stoneware, the Civil War, a brewery, and health and beauty.

  • Archaeology in Alexandria 1961-2011: 50 Years of Community Commitment
  • Artifact Display Boxes Commemorate 50 Years of Alexandria Archaeology

 

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