APRIL 14–20, 2025

What's New

Whisky Tasting

FEATURED EVENT

2025 Alexandria Sister Cities’ Whisky Tasting Event
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 South Washington Street
Saturday, April 26
5 p.m.
$60, $80 VIP Registration
Purchase tickets.

The City of Alexandria's Sister Cities Committee invites you to attend its annual signature event! Join us for an evening of Scotch and camaraderie as whisky enthusiasts lead a guided tasting across the five whisky regions of Scotland. This informative program will help you learn all about the rich tapestry that is Scotch whisky, enable you to sample five different whiskies from across Scotland, and provide an opportunity to ask questions and share personal insights. VIP ticket holders will be provided two additional samples of distinctive and hard-to-find whiskies. Hors d'oeuvres will be provided. For non-whisky drinkers, wine and non-alcoholic beverages will be available. 

Ticket holders will take home with them their very own souvenir Glencairn glass to continue their exploration of the diverse and complex world of Scotch. A raffle will take place at the end of the event for fun prizes. Raffle tickets will be sold for cash at the event. All proceeds from the event aid the Alexandria Sister Cities Committee’s mission to support the educational and cultural exchanges between Alexandria, VA and her sister cities of Dundee, Scotland and Helsingborg, Sweden. 

Minimum Age: 21

Wine & Art Night

Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Saturday, May 3
7-10 p.m.
$75, $125 VIP Admission
Purchase tickets.

The Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden invites you to an enchanting evening of fine wine, captivating art, and delightful company at Wine & Art Night, the museum's premier Spring fundraiser. All proceeds from Wine & Art Night directly support the Lee-Fendall House as we preserve and share nearly 200 years of local history through the stories of people who lived and worked on the property from 1785 to 1972. Come enjoy wine tastings, art showcases, a silent auction, live music, and more!

Featured wineries: Slater Run Vineyards (Upperville, VA) & Prince Michel Vineyard & Winery (Leon, VA)

Featured artists: Barbara Cooper (paintings), Candace Stribling (jewelry), Barbara Nowak (ceramics) & Jenny Nordstrom (photography)

With your ticket, you will receive a special Lee-Fendall wine glass and a tasting passport, allowing you to enjoy a tasting from each winery. Additional glasses and bottles of wine will be available for purchase. General admission is $75 and VIP admission is $125. VIP tickets include early entry for a special reception featuring an exclusive tasting from Wine Gallery 108, a photography session, early access to the silent auction, and time to enjoy the garden in the glow of a Spring evening. 

This event is for guests 21 and over only. All attendees will be required to show a valid ID before entering. 

Help Shape the Future of Alexandria's Museums: Participate in a Social Impact Study!

Help Shape the Future of Alexandria’s Museums: Participate in a Social Impact Study! The Office of Historic Alexandria is one of forty institutions from across the nation participating in this study. To learn more and sign up, visit 
Museum Social Impact Survey | City of Alexandria, VA  

Historic Alexandria is looking for at least 150 individuals to participate in the survey.  If selected based on some simple qualifications, participants will visit three different Historic Alexandria museums once each between now and the end of July. Participants will then complete a 30-minute survey to share how their experiences at the museums impacted various outcomes. 

For completing the survey, participants will receive a special thank you gift and be invited to a special event in November sharing the results, plus free admission into the ALXHistoryLovers Society.

Upcoming Events

View the Historic Alexandria Calendar                                                                                                                                                      

Remembrance Activity: Sites of Reflection
April 16-27, 2025
City Hall and Cameron and Lee Streets
Free

Visit the old police station doors on the Fairfax Street side (100 N. Fairfax) of City Hall and listen to the story of the night Joseph McCoy was taken from a cell in the building. Then walk to the corner of Cameron and Lee Streets to hear the rest of the story and reflect on what society is capable of when the rule of law is ignored and people give in to fear. (Cellphones are needed, hover over the QR code to access two short audio recordings.)

Meaningful Conversations: The Struggle Experienced by Afghan Women in Alexandria, Dr. Susan Aryan Antolin 
Thursday, April 17
7 p.m.
Alexandria Black History Museum
Free

The meaningful conversations 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. Join us to hear from Dr. Susan Aryan Antolin, Executive Director of Women for Afghan Women, a grassroots civil society organization dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights of disenfranchised Afghan women and girls in Afghanistan and the United States. WAW’s Virginia Community Center in Alexandria provides vital aid to Afghan families.

Specialty Tour: A Magical Apothecary
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105-107 South Fairfax Street
Saturday, April 19 
10 -11a.m. 
$15, $12 Historic Alexandria members
Purchase tickets.

Learn about the muggle botanical science that inspired the potions and herbology of Harry Potter's wizarding world on a tour of this 19th century apothecary, and make your own magical potion! Recommended for ages 8 and up.

Alexandria Confined: Civil War Hospitals Walking Tour
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden
614 Oronoco Street
Saturday, April 19
10-11:30 a.m.
$15, Free for museum members
Purchase tickets.

This guided walking tour explores several prominent hospitals that treated Union, Confederate, and United States Colored Troops (USCT) alike. As you visit the actual locations of these historic medical facilities, you will learn about the difficult conditions soldiers faced - both on the battlefield and in the hospital wards. Hear fascinating stories of the men and women who worked tirelessly to care for the wounded. 

Tickets must be purchased in advance. This tour lasts 90 minutes and takes place rain or shine, so please wear appropriate shoes and clothing. It is highly recommended to bring water for this tour. For more information, please call 703-548-1789 or e-mail contact@leefendallhouse.org. 

In Remembrance of Joseph McCoy, the Alexandria Community Remembrance Project (ACRP) Presents - Between History and Hope
Roberts Memorial United Methodist Church
606 South Washington Street
Wednesday, April 23
6 p.m.
Free

In Remembrance of Joseph McCoy, join the Alexandria Community Remembrance Project (ACRP) at Roberts Memorial United Methodist Church, the home church for the McCoy family, to hear an address by leading scholar Robert P. Jones. The New York Times Best Selling author of The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy and the Path to a Shared American Future, and President of the Public Religion Research Institute, Jones’ remarks will focus on the place we now find ourselves, “Between History and Hope.”  We also look forward to hearing from Mayor Alyia Gaskins at this city-wide recognition and remembrance of the 1897 lynching of Alexandria native Joseph McCoy. Remarks will be followed by a book signing in the Fellowship Hall. Books will be available for purchase at the event. 

Please note: Roberts Memorial United Methodist Church does not have a parking lot. Parking is available on side streets and behind Demaine Funeral Home on the corner of Gibbon and Washington Street. 

Glimpses of Historic Alexandria: A Carol Stalun Exhibition
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Open through Sunday, April 27
Learn more.

Lee-Fendall's newest exhibit, Glimpses of Historic Alexandria, showcases a collection of photographs by local Alexandria photographer, Carol Jean Stalun. This special exhibition brings together many of Stalun's works that are focused on historic sites around the city of Alexandria. Learn the history of these sites as you walk around the Lee-Fendall House that was built over 200 years ago. Admission into the exhibit is included with general admission.

Specialty Tour, Peeling Back the Layers
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal Street  
Every Saturday in May. May 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31
10 -11 a.m.
$15 per person/$12 for Historic Alexandria Member or Volunteer
Tickets can be purchased online.

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!

Specialty Tour: A Magical Apothecary
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105-107 South Fairfax Street
Sunday, May 4 
11a.m. -12p.m. 
$15, $12 Historic Alexandria members
Purchase tickets.

Learn about the muggle botanical science that inspired the potions and herbology of Harry Potter's wizarding world on a tour of this 19th century apothecary, and make your own magical potion! Recommended for ages 8 and up.

A Toast to Joe Reeder
Murray-Dick-Fawcett House, 517 Prince Street
Sunday, May 4 
2 -4:30 p.m. 
$98 Individual Tickets, Sponsorship opportunities also available. 
Purchase tickets. 

Join Historic Alexandria for a garden party at Murray-Dick-Fawcett house, 517 Prince Street, celebrating the 98th birthday of Joe Reeder. Enjoy house tours, refreshments, and live music for a fundraiser benefiting Joe’s beloved Murray-Dick-Fawcett House. The Murray-Dick-Fawcett House, at 517 Prince Street, is one of the earliest homes in the city, and possibly the least altered 18th-century home in Northern Virginia. The property was acquired by the City of Alexandria in 2017, with the support of conservation trust funds. It is to be used in perpetuity as a historic site, vest-pocket park and garden, creating new open space in Old Town and preserving this nationally significant architectural and cultural resource for residents and visitors.

Specialty Tour: Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site
Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site, 4301 West Braddock Rd. 
Saturday, May 17 
10 -11a.m. (check-in opens at 9:45 a.m.)
$15, $12 Historic Alexandria members
Purchase tickets.

This guided tour highlights the Defenses of Washington and one veteran’s efforts to preserve its story. The tour begins inside with the special exhibit, “Lewis Cass White: Preserving the Legacy of Fort Stevens,” then continues outside to see the earthwork fort. Please note this tour involves walking on outdoor paths and takes place rain or shine.

From Battlefield to Bedside: Alexandria's Civil War Medical History Exhibition
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
On display at Lee-Fendall through Sunday, August 31
Admission into the exhibit is included with general admission. 

Lee-Fendall's newest exhibit, From Battlefield to Bedside focuses on Alexandria's pivotal role in the medical history of the Civil War, highlighting its transformation from a Southern port town to a strategic military hub to an epicenter of care for both Union and Confederate soldiers. Through a compelling collection of visual imagery, maps, and artifacts, this exhibit invites you to reflect on the resilience of those who provided care amidst the devastation of war, the legacy of Alexandria's medical contributions, and the experiences of those confined to the city's hospital beds. 

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

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.
Archaeology Museum is closed on April 20. 

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 Museum
Saturdays, 11 a.m. –  5 p.m., Sundays, 1 – 5 p.m.

Friendship Firehouse Museum
Saturday, April 19, 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-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.

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

More from This Day in History

On April 15, 1910, the Civic Improvement League proclaimed a universal clean-up day in Alexandria, urging all residents to “join in the movement.”  The League argued that the huge accumulations of kitchen waste, trash, and filth that were routinely deposited in certain areas during the winter months were a major sanitary and aesthetic hazard to the City’s health and appearance. The cleansing of the City’s private yards and alleys, and the sprinkling of lime over damp areas throughout the City, were both deemed necessary to eliminate breeding grounds for the dreaded “typhoid fly” and mosquito. Over a dozen private businesses provided teams and carts to supplement City crews in the clean-up effort.

Upcoming Commission and Committee Events

Commissions Supporting Historic Alexandria

• April 14 Alexandria Sister City Committee - Dundee and Helsingborg
  City Hall, 301 King Street, City Hall Conference Room 1900
  7-8:30 p.m.

• April 14 Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee (ACSCC)
  City Hall, 301 King Street, Sister Cities Room 1101
  7-9 p.m.

• April 15 Historic Alexandria Resources Commission (HARC)
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  7-9 p.m.

• April 16 Alexandria Archaeological Commission (AAC)
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street 
  7-9 p.m.

• April 21 George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street 
  7 p.m.

• April 21 Public Records Advisory Commission (PRAC)
  Archives and Records Center, 801 S. Payne Street 
  7:30 p.m.

• April 30 The Schools & Libraries Action Committee
  Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street 
  6 p.m.