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
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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.

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.

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.

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.

2021 Agendas and Minutes

Meeting Videos are provided for virtual meetings.

2020 Agendas and Minutes

Meeting Videos are provided for virtual meetings.

2019 Agendas and Minutes

2018 Agendas and Minutes

2017 Agendas and Minutes

2016 Agendas and Minutes

2015 Agendas and Minutes

Annual Reports

Other Reports and Information

Documents

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

 

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.