december 30, 2024–JANUARY 5, 2025
Season’s Greetings, cherished readers! As 2024 draws to a close, we at Historic Alexandria are brimming with gratitude for your unwavering support. Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a brilliant start to 2025! In this final issue of the year, explore the latest updates and discover how you can help preserve Alexandria’s rich history through meaningful contributions. Stay tuned for more exciting news and opportunities in 2025!
What's New
Seán Gavin and Josh Dukes in Concert at the Lyceum
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street
Thursday, January 16
7:30 p.m.
$25, $10 under 18
Purchase tickets.
A master of the uilleann pipes, Irish flute, and tin whistle, Seán Gavin is one of the most highly regarded performers and teachers of traditional Irish music. He is the first musician born outside Ireland to win the prestigious Seán Ó Riada Gold medal, and the author of a popular tin whistle book published by Hal Leonard. Seán is the founder and director of the Irish Music Institute - a non-profit music school based in Southeast Michigan. With recordings, lectures, and performances around the globe to his credit, Seán is back in his native Detroit, where he continues to play, teach, and promote traditional Irish music.
Josh Dukes is an All Ireland champion accompanist and a highly sought after music teacher in the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area. A multi-instrumentalist whose talents embrace the ceili drums, guitar, bouzouki, bodhran, flute, and tin whistle. He has shared the stage with such renowned musicians as John Doyle, Paddy Keenan, Billy and Sean McComiskey, Brendan Mulvihill, Kevin Crawford, Zan McLeod, and Myron Bretholz. Josh lives in the greater D.C. Area with his wife and two daughters.
Tables of Conscience Book-Themed Dinners
Saturday, January 18
6-9 p.m.
Tickets will be available on Dec. 30.
Back by Popular Demand! Tables of Conscience book-themed dinners to raise money for the 2025 scholarships in the names of Joseph McCoy and Benjamin Thomas. About a week before the dinner, those who reserved spots will receive an email with the name and address of the hosts. Please indicate at registration if you have any food allergies or strong preferences. Hosts will do their best to accommodate guest requests. Each reservation requires a $125 donation per person. The dinner’s discussion book must be purchased separately from a local bookstore.
Book: Of Poetry and Protest: From Emmett Till to Trayvon Martin By Phil Cushway (Compiler), Michael Warr (Editor), Victoria Smith (Photographer)
Join ACRP members in what is sure to be a lively conversation about this compilation of African American poets and essayists that give voice to the Black experience in America. The anthology highlights Pulitzer Prize winning poets such as Rita Dove, Natasha Tretheway, Yusef Komunyakaa and Tracy Smith, Essayists include Rev. Dr. William Barber II and Jeannine Amber. Each one provides an artistic, incisive take on our culture and times. Reserve your tickets at The Alexandria Shop.
Upcoming Events
View the Historic Alexandria Calendar
Story Time for Little Historians
Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street
Saturday, January 11
10 a.m.- 10:45 a.m.
Free
Dynamic storytellers use books written by and about African American people and other communities of color to engage with ages 5-8, then stay to learn about the principles of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa workshop begins at 11 a.m.
Martin Luther King Jr. Poster Exhibition
On view in the Vola Lawson Lobby of City Hall, 301 King Street
Wednesday, January 15 - Friday, February 28
Free
The City of Alexandria honors the memory and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with its annual Poster Exhibition and Program. Posters will be on view from Alexandria City Public School students in the Vola Lawson Lobby of City Hall from January 18, 2016 through February 29, 2016.
The Alexandria Black History Museum with the Office of Historic Alexandria sponsors an annual Student Poster Exhibition for Alexandria City Public School students, grades 2-5.
Meaningful Conversations about Racism and What to Do About It
Topic: Refugees and Immigrants
Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street
Thursday, January 16
7 - 9 p.m.
Free
Join Alexandria community members for open and honest discussions about various topics. Join us as we resume our meaningful conversations that explore and celebrate the diversity of cultures and peoples in our area, address the attitudes and behaviors that still divide us, and seek remedies grounded in the recognition that we are one interconnected, interdependent human family.
Outlandish Tour at the Apothecary Museum
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105-107 South Fairfax Street
Sunday, January 26 through Sunday, February 9
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
$15, $12 Historic Alexandria members
Purchase tickets.
Celebrate the wrap of Outlander Season 7! Tour this historic apothecary and learn about a few of the herbal medicines features in Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series of novels from cascara to dauco seeds. The specialty tour also touches on the role of apothecaries and women in medicine in the 18th century. Recommended for ages 18 and up. Please arrive between 10:45 - 11a.m. as the museum is not open to the public until 1 p.m. and the doors will be locked when the tour begins. Please note the tour involves ascending and descending stairs.
Tavern Games Night
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal Street
Friday, January 31
7 p.m.
$10
Purchase tickets.
Tavern Games Night is back, this time with Old Town Soul as its theme. A $10 cover includes tavern games and a themed presentation with the crowd-favorite jeopardy game featuring Alexandria’s Black History. Cash bar (non-alcoholic and alcoholic). Event takes place in the second floor ballroom. Due to its historic nature, the building does not have an elevator.
An Intimate Reception with General Washington
Historic Duvall House, 305 Cameron Street
Saturday, February 1
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
$150
Purchase tickets.
Join General Washington at the beautiful and historic Duvall House, where he was feted by leading Alexandrians upon his triumphant return from the Revolutionary War in 1783. The General will share his most poignant memories of the war and answer questions about his life and times. Libations and heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served. All proceeds benefit the George Washington Birthday Celebration. For more information about the celebration, visit washingtonbirthday.com.
Support Historic Alexandria
Historic Alexandria receives City operational funding to support its mission; however, these resources do not cover the full scope of the department’s strategic goals and projects. Donations, special revenue, and grant funding help supplement staff, conservation work, and educational programs. Please consider making a gift today.
Historic Alexandria Museum Hours
All Museums will be closed on New Year’s Day
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. Special additional hours during the holidays: Tuesday, December 31, 11 a.m.– 4 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 Museum
Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sundays, 1 – 5 p.m.
Freedom House is open on weekends only through early January. Group visits available by special appointment.
Friendship Firehouse Museum
January closed.
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
Thursdays & Fridays, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sundays, 1 – 5 p.m. Special additional hours during the holidays: Monday, December 30, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
Wednesdays–Fridays, 11 a.m.– 4 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sundays 1 - 5 p.m. Special additional hours during the holidays: Monday, December 30, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
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 December 23, 1783, George Washington resigned his military commission at Annapolis, Maryland. He returned to Alexandria on December 31, where his arrival was announced by the firing of thirteen cannons. After the cannon discharge, General Washington was feted by the Town’s leading citizens at a reception held at DuVall’s Tavern, 305 Cameron Street.
Upcoming Commission and Committee Events
Commissions Supporting Historic Alexandria
January 6 George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee
Via zoom, register online.
7 p.m.January 8 Alexandria Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
8-9:15 a.m.January 13 Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee
Sister Cities Conference Room, 1101, City Hall, 301 King Street
7-9 p.m.January 15 Alexandria Archaeological Commission
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
7 p.m.January 20 Public Records Advisory Commission
Archives and Records Center, 801 South Payne Street
7:30 p.m.January 21 Historic Alexandria Resources Commission
City Hall - Room 1900 (First Floor), 301 King Street
7-9 p.m.- January 29 Schools and Libraries Action Committee
Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street
6-8 p.m.