june 15–21, 2026

What's New

FEATURED EVENT
 

Celebrate Juneteenth in 2026
Friday, June 19
10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Free

The City of Alexandria invites residents and visitors to commemorate Juneteenth with a series of free, family-friendly events on Friday, June 19. Our events include a memorial program, a live concert, and community festival. Find out more about the history of Juneteenth and the City’s celebrations at alexandriava.gov/Juneteenth. 


Juneteenth Events 

Memorial at Douglass Cemetery
Douglass Cemetery, 1421 Wilkes Street
Friday, June 19
10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Free

Kick-off Juneteenth with a Memorial program recognizing those interred at Douglass Cemetery and their decedents. The Keynote Speaker will be Dr. Elgin Klugh, a Professor and Chairperson in the Department of Applied Social and Political Sciences at Coppin State University. 
 

Washington Revels Jubilee Voices Concert
Shiloh Baptist Church Worship Center, 1401 Jamieson Avenue
Friday, June 19
1-3 p.m.
Free

The Washington Revels Jubilee Voices ensemble will perform traditional African American storytelling and song in a free concert honoring the journey toward freedom. During the performance, the Revels will highlight four churches established in Alexandria during the Civil War: Shiloh Baptist Church, Beulah Baptist Church, Zion Baptist Church, and Third Baptist Church. 
 

Juneteenth Festival
Charles Houston Recreational Center, 901 Wythe Srreet
Friday, June 19
4-8 p.m.
Free

The festival opens at 4 p.m. with remarks from Mayor Alyia Gaskins and a performance of "Lift Every Voice and Sing." The afternoon and evening will feature live Go-Go music, spoken word, junior cheer performances, line dancing, teen activities, and an Inova Blood Drive. 
 

African American Heritage sites open for Juneteenth in Alexandria  

The Alexandria Black History Museum will offer extended hours on June 19. Admission is free for Alexandria residents; standard admission applies for non-residents. Other African American History sites are open on Juneteenth during regular hours.  

• Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street 

  Open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

• Freedom House Museum, 1315 Duke Street 

  Open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  

• African American Heritage Park,  500 Holland Lane 

  Open from dawn to dusk  

• Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial, 1001 S. Washington Street 

  Open from dawn to dusk  

Upcoming Events

View the Historic Alexandria Calendar                                                                                                                                                      

Yoga on the Magnolia Terrace
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 6 p.m.
Saturdays: 9 a.m. & 10:15 a.m. 
$10 a class (no class July 4)
Purchase Tickets

Join our friends at Carlyle House for an hour-long gentle flow Yoga Class on Carlyle House’s Magnolia Terrace. Please bring water, a towel, and a yoga mat. Wear comfortable yoga wear. Class may be canceled due to inclement weather, you will receive an email if class is canceled. Tickets are non-refundable unless class is cancelled by the museum.
 

Alexandria Community Cookout
Andrew Adkins Community, 1200 Block of Wythe Street
Wednesday, June 17 (Rain date: June 18)
6-7:30 p.m.
Free

Join us at the City of Alexandria Community Cookouts! A great time for neighbors and families to come together and connect with community resources. What began as a small departmental project has grown into a major community initiative. Today, more than 50 City agencies and nonprofit organizations participate in the cookouts - including Historic Alexandria. These events have reached and served over 20,000 residents and are now proudly supported by the City Manager’s Office. For more information and a list of upcoming Alexandria Community Cookouts, go to https://www.alexandriava.gov/rpca/alexandria-community-cookouts
 

Alexandria’s Sister Cities’ Concert for America250
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 South Washington Street
Thursday, June 18
7 p.m. 
$20
Purchase tickets

Come celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s War for Independence with renowned music historians David & Ginger Hildebrand for performances of special period music. This event is in partnership with Alexandria Sister Cities. The Hildebrands will don period attire to discuss and perform music associated with Alexandria’s sister cities: Caen, France; Dundee, Scotland; Helsingborg, Sweden; and Gyumri, Armenia. Scottish music was especially influential in the American colonies, and once the French joined the Revolutionary cause there were musical celebrations for Generals LaFayette, Rochambeau and other French leaders. This concert event is part of the “Alexandria commemorates America’s 250” campaign. David & Ginger specialize in researching, recording, and performing early American music. Since 1980 they have presented concerts and educational programs throughout the country and abroad at museums, historic sites, schools and universities. Mount Vernon, The National Gallery of Art, The National Archives, and Colonial Williamsburg are among their many past sponsors.
 

Tell Me Your Name
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Friday, June 19
10 a.m.
$8
Purchase Tickets

Join Carlyle House staff for a tour focusing on the experiences of the enslaved community at Carlyle House and his plantations. The guided tour will explore the historical context of slavery in 18th century Alexandria and the importance of ongoing research efforts. Reservations are required as space is limited. Tour will be offered at 10am. Reservations are required as space is limited. Having trouble registering? Please call 703-549-2997 or email carlyle@nvrpa.org
 

Discovering Alexandria Architecture Walking Tour
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Saturday, June 20
10 a.m.
$20 per person
Purchase Tickets 

Alexandria has grown from a small town in the 18th century to a bustling small city in the 21st century. Join us for a tour of Alexandria as we explore looking at the various Architecture styles that adorn the city streets and make it one of the best places to live and work. Reservations are required as space is limited. All tours start at Carlyle House Historic Park. Please wear comfortable shoes for this 1.5 hour guided tour. Tour is held rain or shine unless there is severe weather. Please call 703-549-2997 or email carlyle@nvrpa.org for more information. 
 

Alexandria Women’s History Walk
Alexandria Visitor Center (Ramsay House), 221 King Street
Saturday, June 20
Noon - 2 p.m.
Free and open to all
RSVP online

As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, Alexandria Celebrates Women! If you have wondered how women helped put our city on the map, now is your chance to learn about them. Join Alexandria Celebrates Women Vice President Gayle Converse on a three-mile trek through the city, while making brief outdoor stops at historic sites associated with women to discuss Alexandria’s heroines of the past and the history of each site. Participants are welcome to join all or any portion of the Walk. Selected historic sites include the Ramsay House, the Carlyle House, City Hall, Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, the Kate Waller Barret House, and others. The Walk begins at the William and Ann Ramsay House (now the Alexandria Visitor’s Center) at 221 King Street in Old Town. Comfortable shoes and water are recommended.
 

Community Open House - Celebrating America's 250th Birthday!
American Legion Post 24, 400 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA 
Saturday, June 20
Noon - 8 p.m.
Free
Food available for purchase (Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie and Birthday Cake).

Celebrate America's 250th Birthday with American Legion Post 24. Hear Great American Stories from Local Patriots! 

• Noon - 3 p.m. - Gettysburg Foundation presents Dr. James A. Christian- "Those Buried at Gettysburg and Their Stories"
• 3-4 p.m. - U.S. Navy CAPT (ret) Eugene "Red" McDaniel - POW at the Hanoi Hillon: Stories of Courage and Faith
• 4-5 p.m. - U.S. Air Force BG (ret) Harold "Buck" Adams - SR-71 Pilot, One of the Fastest Men Alive
   

The Perfect Figure for $1: Why the Past Was More Body Positive Than We Are
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Saturday, June 20
2 p.m. 
$15 per person
Purchase tickets

Join fashion history expert Emma Rowland as she explores how 18th, 19th, and early 20th century dress culture approached body image very differently than we do now and what that history can tell us about the way we think about bodies today. From stays to flat-front corsets to the earliest ready-to-wear sizing charts, this lecture takes a fresh look at a familiar story.

Summer Solstice: Yoga in the Lee-Fendall Garden
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Sunday, June 21
8 a.m. 
$30 per person
Purchase tickets

Start Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, with Yoga in Lee-Fendall Historic Garden (614 Oronoco St., just a block from Radiance studio), focusing on your connection with nature and the process of grounding yourself. Radiance Yoga instructors will guide you through a series of poses suitable for all levels, leaving you refreshed and energized. Bring your mat, water bottle, and a spirit ready for rejuvenation. Reserve your spot in advance to explore the local history, wildlife sanctuary, and peaceful oasis which make this Garden to be Old Town’s best kept secrets! Ticketing through Radiance Yoga. 

Carlyle House: Self-Guided Sundays
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Sunday, June 21
Noon - 3 p.m.
$5 per person (children 5 and under are free)

On the third Sunday of every month, explore the first floor of Carlyle House at your own pace. Docents will be available throughout the house if you have questions. Tickets can only be purchased the day of in the museum shop.

Family Day with Jr. Docents
Sundays, starting June 21 through the summer
2-5 p.m. 
Normal admission fee for self-guided visit. 

Every Sunday afternoon this summer, guests can learn from and be inspired by the museum's Jr. Docents--students 4th grade and older. In addition to stationed tours, Jr. Docents offer additional hands-on activities and a chocolate-making demonstration.

Specialty Tour: Poisons at the Apothecary Museum (SOLD OUT)
The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105-107 South Fairfax Street
Sunday, June 21 
5:30 - 6:30 p.m. 
$15 per person, Historic Alexandria Members: $12/person
Purchase tickets

Explore the sinister side of medicine during this one-hour guided tour examining historic poisons, their uses at the Apothecary, and what modern science tells us today. Recommended for adults. Please arrive a few minutes early to check in.
 

Alexandria Archaeology Summer Camp
Monday - Friday, June 22-26
9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Ages 13 - 15
$400, with scholarships available, purchase tickets. 
Only one spot available!; apply here.

Help City archaeologists excavate a real archaeological site and preserve Alexandria's historic resources! Campers, ages 13 - 15, will learn scientific excavating and artifact processing methods. Sign up by first making a payment for the camp at The Alexandria Shop or by calling 703.746.4399, and then sending in an application online or picking up forms from the Alexandria Archaeology Museum, 105 N Union St., #327. 

Alexandria Historical Society Presents The American Revolution and the Fate of the World with Dr. Richard Bell
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street
Wednesday, June 24
7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.)
Admission is $5 for non-members and free for members. 
Learn more 

The Alexandria Historical Society will host award-winning historian Dr. Richard Bell for a lecture, The American Revolution and the Fate of the World. As Alexandria and the nation approach the 250th anniversary of American independence, Dr. Bell’s presentation will offer a timely and thought-provoking look at the global consequences of the American Revolution and its impact far beyond the thirteen colonies.
 

Conversational Tour: America250 - Who We Remember
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N Royal Street
Friday, June 26 through Friday, July 17
5 p.m. 
$15 per person, Historic Alexandria Members: $12/person 
Purchase tickets. 

Kick-off the weekend with a conversational tour that uses the history of Gadsby's Tavern Museum to reflect on who we remember in history and why. Participants will build connections with each other as well as between past and present. Option to purchase water, soda, or locally crafted beer or hard cider available upon arrival.
 

9th Annual Alexandria Pride Festival
John Carlyle Square Park
Saturday, June 27
2-6 p.m.
Free

The Alexandria LGBTQIA+ Task Force invites you to the 9th Annual Alexandria Pride Fair! Enjoy live music, DJ, LGBTQ+ story time, 100 exhibitors, food trucks, health services, mobile art lab, dancing, the annual reading of the Pride Proclamation by City Council members, and more! All ages welcome! For more information, visit the Task Force's homepage. 

Historic Alexandria is encouraging residents and businesses to show their local 250th spirit by joining the citywide Plant for America250 initiative. The Plant for America250 initiative, promoted by the City of Alexandria and the Alexandria Beautification Commission, encourages residents and businesses to plant native species in patriotic colors as a way to honor America’s milestone anniversary while supporting a more resilient and sustainable future.

Learn more about Plant for America250.

Alexandria Archaeological Commission Now Accepting Nominations for Brenman Award​

The Alexandria Archaeological Commission (AAC) is now accepting nominations for the Bernard “Ben” Brenman Archaeology in Alexandria Award. The AAC established this award to celebrate the contributions of the late Ben Brenman, who devoted himself to finding, preserving, and sharing Alexandria’s rich and diverse heritage. Brenman was a founding member of the AAC, a City of Alexandria commission that was the first of its kind established in the United States, and served as its chair for 21 years.

The Brenman Award, established in 2007, is open to businesses, organizations, families, professional preservationists, volunteers, students, and other individuals who have demonstrated work or efforts in archaeological investigation, research, site protection, education, public interpretation, open space design, collections, or conservation. Nomination forms are available at alexandriava.gov/archaeology/ben-brenman-award-for-archaeology or by calling the Alexandria Archaeology Museum at 703.746.4399. The deadline for nominations is Wednesday, July 1.

Ben Brenman Awards are presented during Virginia Archaeology Month in October and are announced by Alexandria City Council proclamation at a City Council meeting.

Recent recipients of the Brenman Award include: Carr Properties, Marian Van Landingham, Archaeology Summer Camp counselors, EYA RTS Construction, LLC, AECOM, Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory, African American Heritage Trail Committee, Eagle Scout Griffin Burchard, the Fort Ward Interpretive Committee, community historian McArthur Myers, retired City Archaeologist Francine Bromberg, preservation advocate S. Kathleen Pepper, volunteer Anna Lynch, and preservation advocate Bill Dickinson. Past winners include: archaeologists, educators, grassroots organizations, cultural resource management firms, Alexandria residents, former Alexandria Archaeological Commission members, historians, developers, and generous donors. 

For a complete list of past Award recipients and details, please go to the AAC website.

Appointed by City Council, the 15-member AAC develops goals and priorities for Alexandria’s archaeological heritage. The commission works closely with residents, government agencies, developers, and teachers to promote archaeology in the city.

Support Historic Alexandria

Your gift fuels preservation, education, and programs that bring Alexandria’s past to life. Donations, special revenue, and grants make it possible to expand educational programs, conserve treasured collections, and support our dedicated staff. Your gift today helps preserve Alexandria’s history for generations to come.

Historic Alexandria Museum Hours

Plan your Visit

Friday, June 19: All Historic Alexandria Museums are open on Juneteenth! 

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.
Open until 8pm on June 19 as part of the Juneteenth festival.

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 
Thursdays & Fridays, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sundays, 1 – 5 p.m.

Friendship Firehouse Museum
Saturday, July 18, 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 through Tuesdays, 1– 5 p.m.

Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
Wednesdays–Fridays, 11 a.m.– 4 p.m.; Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.;* Sundays & Mondays 1 - 5 p.m.

*Extended Saturday hours at the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum every Saturday in June and July, giving visitors additional time to explore one of Alexandria’s most unique historic sites.

Virginia 250 Passport

Historic Alexandria is proud to join 70 premier historic destinations across Virginia in the launch of the Virginia 250 Passport, a first-of-its-kind statewide tourism journey celebrating America’s 250th. Featured Alexandria museums include Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, and the Alexandria Black History Museum. The passport offers prizes and discounts to encourage families to explore Virginia’s rich history together. Beginning November 11, 2025, free passports will be available at major historic sites and Virginia Welcome Centers. Learn more at VirginiaHistory.org/250Passport.

New Exhibit: Stories of U.S.: Collections Capture Our History –  Now open

A silver coffee pot, a family story, a business letter, or a photograph -- each provide a glimpse into the past. The Office of Historic Alexandria collects these items and memories to reflect our community and preserve the moments that define us. This exhibition, marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, showcases recently acquired objects, many on view for the first time at the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum. These pieces provide a powerful, tangible connection to both our local history and national story.. 

New Exhibit: Buglers & Brass Bands: Soldier Musicians in the Civil War - Now open

Fort Ward opened a new exhibit on May 16, 2026 that explores the essential role that music played in the daily life of the Civil War soldier, both in camp and on the battlefield. The exhibit features a variety of musical instruments and sheet music of the period from the Museum’s extensive Civil War collection. The exhibit will be on view through May 2027.

Exhibit: Women in Business: We Were Always Here

Gadsby's Tavern Museum's new exhibit featuring Hannah Griffith, a female coffeehouse operator at this location, is now open! The exhibit is included in regular admission. Visitors will be able to see primary sources up close to explore how women appear (and don’t) in the historical record in the 18th century. In addition to Hannah’s story, visitors will learn about the female business owners on the block around City Hall today, highlighting how women continue to be an important part of Alexandria’s business community. All of the women-owned businesses facing City Hall are included in this exhibit—14 total owned by 17 women! The exhibit will be up through March 2027.

Exhibit: Disease and the Apothecary

Explore how epidemics like Smallpox, Yellow Fever, and Influenza shaped Alexandria’s past and how science and public health saved lives. Included with admission. Free for Alexandria residents! The new exhibit is also available online. 

Exhibit: Aboard Ship with the Jack-Tars of the Union Navy

A new exhibition at Fort Ward Museum opened October 2. The exhibit focuses on the U.S. Navy during the Civil War and is being held in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Navy on October 13, 1775. The exhibition will continue through 2026. The exhibit, with pictures of select objects, is also available online.   

Explore with Ease – The New Museum Mobility Guide

Historic Alexandria and the Department of Transportation & Environmental Services (T&ES) have launched a colorful, easy-to-use map and guide connecting all of Alexandria’s museums via walking, biking, and transit. The guide also acts as a passport—visit every site and earn a prize! Available at museums, rec centers, public libraries, and more. 

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 June 18, 1812, President James Madison declared war on England, in response to years of British harassment of American trading ships on the Atlantic, impressment of American seamen into British service, armed support of Native Americans and a possible Indian Confederacy in the Midwest, and aspirations to expand American territory into Canada.  Thus began the War of 1812, considered by some to be America's "Second War of Independence." Although Alexandrians were quick to recognize the threat to their city and the nearby national capital, Secretary of War John Armstrong largely dismissed their concerns and financial offers to reinforce security in the Potomac River region.  Two years later, Alexandrians found themselves in the crosshairs of the escalating conflict, and their premonition of defeat by a Naval force proved all too accurate.

Upcoming Commission and Committee Events

Commissions Supporting Historic Alexandria
 

• June 16 Historic Alexandria Resources Commission (HARC)
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  7-9 p.m.

• June 16 Alexandria-Caen Sister Cities Committee 
  Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street
  7-9 p.m.

• June 17 Alexandria Archaeological Commission (AAC)
  Freedom House Museum, 1315 Duke Street
  6:30 p.m.

• June 22 Alexandria Sister Cities Committee 
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  7-8:30 p.m..

• June 22 George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee (GWBCC)
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  7-8:30 p.m..

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

• July 8 Alexandria Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission (AHRPC)
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  8-9:15 a.m.