Celebrating the Legacy of the Alexandria Roller Rink

Page updated on December 1, 2025 at 4:45 PM
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Celebrating the Legacy of the Alexandria Roller Rink

Alexandria Skating Rink Lecture

 

Before social media, the Alexandria Roller Rink was the place to be—a vibrant hub for skating, live music, and social connection, especially for the city’s African American community. Though the rink no longer stands, its legacy lives on in the memories of those who spent their youth there.

Join us for this FREE event—Skating Rink Part II: Share Your Stories! on Wednesday, December 3, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at The Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street. Local panelists will share personal recollections, explore the rink’s cultural and social impact, and discuss ways to preserve its history for future generations.

From dazzling skating moves to electrifying Go-Go bands, the rink was more than just a recreational space—it was a cornerstone of community. Facilitated by Dr. Darnella McGuire-Nelson, this event is proudly sponsored by SRG, Friends of Douglass Cemetery, and the Alexandria Black History Museum. 

The Alexandria Black History Museum is located five blocks from the Braddock Road Metro Station on the Yellow and Blue Lines. Street parking is available. For more information, call the museum at 703-746-4356 or visit the Alexandria Black History Museum webpage. 

Attendees are invited to relive the joy, music, and memories of the Alexandria Roller Rink and share their own stories.

About the Office of Historic Alexandria 

The Office of Historic Alexandria preserves and shares the history of the City of Alexandria with eight museums, historic sites, archives, archaeology, tours, exhibits and public programs. Through powerful storytelling and confronting the City’s past, Historic Alexandria enriches the present and inspires the future. We enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors and serve as a partner in the City’s equity and inclusion initiatives. For more information, visit alexandriava.gov/Historic.

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact Nicole Quinn at historicalexandria@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.4554, Virginia Relay 711. 

If you prefer communication in another language, free interpretation and translation services are available to you, please email LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or call 703-746-3960.