july 14–20, 2025

What's New

FEATURED EVENT 

Let Freedom House Ring! A Literary Fundraiser
Morrison House Old Town Alexandria, Autograph Collection, 116 South Alfred Street 
Sunday, July 20
1 - 3p.m.
Free. Donations welcome. 
Reserved admission available for $25 (Reserved admission includes a signed copy of Spite House, guaranteed seating during the event discussion, and entry to win a one-night staycation at Morrison House. $8.80 of the ticket price will be donated to the Freedom House Rehabilitation Project).
Purchase tickets online.

You’re invited! Join us at the Morrison House Hotel on Sunday, July 20, from 1–3 p.m. for a free afternoon of storytelling, history, and community — all in support of the Freedom House Museum Rehabilitation Project.

This special event brings together three iconic Old Town landmarks — Freedom House, Morrison House, and Spite House — for a lively panel featuring:

• John Wasowicz shares his insights into the 7th book of his acclaimed Old Town Mystery Series, Spite House.
• Brendan O'Leary, the current owner of an Old Town spite house, reflects on the unique experience of living in a landmark.
• The Old Town Crier, Ben Fiore-Walker, recounts the history of Old Town’s Freedom House and the lore of its Spite Houses.
• Gretchen Bulova, Director of the Office of Historic Alexandria, will share the history of Freedom House and the latest information on its important rehabilitation. 
• William T. Newman, Jr., retired Circuit Court Judge and popular stage and screen actor as well as Nicole Lacroix, announcer and producer at WETA Classical, will regale the audience with passages from ‘Spite House,’ book 7 of the Old Town Loves Mystery series.

Stick around afterward for a book signing — 40% of sales will go directly to the Freedom House Rehabilitation project — plus light refreshments and great company!

Upcoming Events

View the Historic Alexandria Calendar                                                                                                                                                      

Final Community Cookout of the Summer!
The Acclaim Apartments, 346 S. Whiting Street
Wednesday, July 16
6 - 7:30 p.m.
Free

Join the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities (RPCA) for the final fun-filled evening of the City of Alexandria Community Cookout series! Enjoy free food, games, activities, giveaways, and an opportunity to connect with neighbors and learn more about the wide variety of services and programs available through City agencies. Stop by the Historic Alexandria table and say hi! 

For more information and a schedule of upcoming community cookouts, visit https://www.alexandriava.gov/rpca/alexandria-community-cookouts

Specialty Tours: Those Who Signed The Fairfax Resolves?
Carlyle House, 121 N. Fairfax Street  
Friday, July 18 
10 a.m. & 2 p.m. 
$8 per person
Purchase tickets online. 

On July 18, 1774, 25 gentlemen from Fairfax County (including Alexandria) signed the Fairfax Resolves, which rejected the British Parliament’s claim of supreme authority over the American colonies. John Carlyle, George Mason, and George Washington are names still known today but who were the others and what stakes did they have in signing this document? Join us for these specialty tours in commemoration of the Fairfax Resolves to learn more. Registration is required.

Having trouble registering? Please email us at carlyle@nvrpa.org or call the museum at 703-549-2997

Disguised and Determined: Women Who Fought in the Civil War
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Saturday, July 19
2-3 p.m.
$10 admission
Purchase tickets.   

There are hundreds of documented cases of women who fought disguised as men during the Civil War. Tracey McIntire and Audrey Scanlan-Teller, PhD will discuss and share documentation of some of the more fascinating women and what motivated them to fight alongside men. Spend an afternoon with McIntire and Scanlan-Teller as they share their research in a house that once used to operate as a Union Army hospital. 

Outlandish Tour at the Apothecary Museum  
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105-107 South Fairfax Street
Sunday, July 20
11 a.m. - noon
$15 per person/$12 for Historic Alexandria Member
Purchase tickets. 

Tour this historic apothecary and learn about a few of the herbal medicines featured in Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series of novels from cascara to dauco seeds. The 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 10:45-11 a.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. 

Family Day with Young Historians
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal Street  
Sunday, July 20 (every Sunday through Labor Day)
2- 5 p.m.
Included in regular museum admission.

Junior Docents (4th through 6th graders) provide stationed tours throughout the two tavern buildings and operate special, hands-on activity stations about period clothing and chocolate making. It’s a unique and fun way to explore history for all ages.

Trivia Nights at Historic Sites: Hunger Games
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Friday, July 25 (biweekly through August)
7-9 p.m.
$12 admission
Purchase tickets.  

Join staff from Lee-Fendall House Museum and Carlyle House Historic Park for bi-weekly trivia nights in the beautiful gardens located at Lee-Fendall House. Test your knowledge all summer on all things from pop culture to history! Teams may have up to 6 members. Cost includes one drink ticket; additional drinks can be bought at our cash bar. Teams may have up to 6 members. Ages 21 and over only. No outside alcohol is permitted. Food and water may be brought into the garden.

Specialty Tour: Hamilton's BFF & Frenemies
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal Street 
Saturday, July 26
10 -11 a.m.
$15 per person/$12 for Historic Alexandria Members
Tickets can be purchased online.

Inspired by the musical Hamilton, learn how the paths of Washington, Lafayette, Jefferson, Madison, and Burr all intersected with this local tavern. Includes discussion of the issues they faced and how their choices impacted local citizens. Please note the tour involves ascending and descending stairs. Arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to tour time to check in. Tickets often sell out, so buy online to reserve your space!

Specialty Tour: Civil War Medicine
Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site, 4301 West Braddock Rd.
Saturday, July 26
10 -11a.m. (check-in opens at 9:45 a.m.)
$15, $12 Historic Alexandria members
Purchase tickets.

Medicine in the Civil War isn't all just amputations and dysentery! Come explore the wild world of Civil medicine in the 1860s at Fort Ward Museum. The 1-hour tour will include a brief background of Alexandria's role in medicine during the war and a deeper dive into medicine in both the field and hospitals. The tour will also include a look at artifacts not currently on display! Please be sure to arrive 5 minutes before tour time. Doors will be locked at the start of the tour. This tour is indoors.

Science behind Harry Potter
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal Street 
Sunday, July 27
1 - 5 p.m.
$15 per person
Tickets can be purchased online.

In honor of Harry’s birthday, the Apothecary Museum is offering a special guided tour for families (and adults who missed their Hogwarts’ letter) that will explore the old Apothecary and the historic muggle medicines that inspired the Herbology and Potions of Harry’s wizarding world. At the end of the tour test your skills and make your own potion to try at home. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Photography welcome!

Annual Friendship Firehouse Festival
100 Block of South Alfred Street
Saturday, August 2, 2025
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Free

Join us to celebrate Friendship Fire Company’s 251st year! Learn about fire safety today, and yesterday, and see Alexandria Fire Department equipment up close. There will be booths by the Alexandria Police Department and Sheriff’s Office, music performances, displays by community organizations, local vendors, and food and beverage sales. Join in water play and please-touch artifact activities. Children will receive free toy Friendship firefighting helmets. This family friendly event is presented by the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association and the Office of Historic Alexandria.

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.

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 
Closed to Visitors During Front Door Restoration
Freedom House Museum is temporarily closed to visitors to allow for the completion of the front façade restoration and installation of new entry doors. 
UPDATE: The front facade work is almost done so the scaffolding is coming down. While we are excited to share this rehabilitation update, the two doors to the Freedom House Museum and their hardware are still being fabricated so the museum will be closed through the end of August. 

To learn more about the ongoing rehabilitation, visit the Freedom House Rehabilitation Project page. Project updates will be posted regularly on the Freedom House webpage. 

Friendship Firehouse Museum
Saturday, July 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.
NEW: Apothecary Night Shift–Every Saturday in June and July the museum is open 11 a.m.--7 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 July 14, 1965, the Board of Architectural Review for the Old and Historic Alexandria District approved the design for the plaza, fountain and subterranean garage at Market Square. The project, part of a much larger “urban renewal” project to revitalize six deteriorated commercial blocks in the downtown area, paved the way for the demolition of dozens of early buildings fronting King, North Royal and North Fairfax Streets, as well as structures and stalls associated with the market near City Hall. Although controversial even at that time, the authorization supported the concept of opening up Market Square as a community gathering space, rather than maintaining the jumbled marketplace that had developed over 200 years, largely hidden from surrounding streets for decades.

Upcoming Commission and Committee Events

Commissions Supporting Historic Alexandria

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

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

• July 21 George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee (GWBCC) 
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  7 p.m.