August 31–September 6, 2026
What's New
FEATURED EVENT
Alexandria Forum: Nothing But Independence
Friday, September 18
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
$60 / person; $40 for OHA Members and Students
Purchase Tickets in advance (22 tickets remaining)
Join Emerging Revolutionary War and Historic Alexandria on Friday, September 18 for The Alexandria Forum, a day of engaging talks that explore Alexandria's pivotal role in the Revolutionary War and the ideas that helped shape our nation. Hear from local historians, enjoy lunch in Old Town Alexandria, and end the day with Tavern Games Night at Gadsby's Tavern Museum.
The American Revolution in Virginia was more than a war – it was a Revolution of Ideas that continues today. From the creation of the Fairfax Resolves to the hometown of George Washington, Alexandria and this region played a unique role in the birth of the new nation. The Alexandria Forum, in partnership with Emerging Revolutionary War, will share the history of Alexandria and Northern Virginia during this critical time in history, showcasing how these moments in time reverberate through today. Lectures include “A Tory in Old Town, The Revolutionary War Journal of Nicholas Cresswell” by public historian Ken Bancroft, “The 25 Who Signed: Researching the Fairfax Resolves Signers” by Kerry Mitchell, Historic Site Specialist at Carlyle House Historic Park, “Prelude to Yorktown: Lafayette and the 1781 Virginia Campaign” by Dr. John Maass, Education Specialist at the National Museum of the United States Army, and "Alexandria City Hall, Market Square, and Slavery” by Greg Beaman. The Forum will end with a reception at the museum.
For more information, visit the Alexandria Forum online.
After the Forum, join us at the Gadsby's Tavern Museum's Tavern Games Night! Game night includes historic tavern games, a brief presentation, and trivia. You'll also be able to enjoy a beer or cider and light snacks! Cost is $10 – and Forum attendees will receive one free drink! Game night starts at 7 p.m. Purchase Tickets in advance for Tavern Game Night in the Historic Alexandria Shop.
Upcoming Events
View the Historic Alexandria Calendar
Historic Happy Hours
Thursday, September 3
Ramparts Tavern & Grill, 1700 Fern Street
5-7 p.m.
Free
Join us for Historic Happy Hours as we deep dive into history in a fun setting throughout the city! Learn about tavern entertainment in the late 18th and early 19th centuries presented by Jim Holloway, Interpretive Program Coordinator. A percent of proceeds will be donated to the Office of Historic Alexandria.
Yoga on the Magnolia Terrace
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Saturday, September 5
9 a.m. & 10:15 a.m.
$10 a class
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.
World War II Walking Tour of Alexandria
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Saturday, September 5
10:30am
$ 15 / person
Tickets Here
On this two-mile walk around Old Town, visit sites where history took place and buildings where notable Alexandrians, including a Tuskegee Airman and a member of the 101st Airborne, lived before serving their country. In addition, learn of the top-secret intelligence facility known as P.O. Box 1142. This tour begins at Lee-Fendall and ends at the Torpedo Factory by the waterfront. The tour will last approximately 1.5 hours. Walking shoes and water are highly recommended. The tour will take place rain or shine.
Carlyle House Family Fun Day- Fun with Science
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Saturday, September 5
12-3 p.m.
Free
Read and craft with your friends on the Carlyle House front lawn for Family Fun Day on the first Saturday of the month from September through November! From 12-3 (unless otherwise noted), you can sit in on story time and participate in crafts and other activities that relate to the theme of the month. This program is for all ages, though some of the crafts might be challenging for guests under 4. There is no fee to join this program, but donations are encouraged.
Family Day with Jr. Docents
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal Street
Sunday, September 6--LAST DAY!
2-5 p.m.
Included in regular admission
Experience Gadsby's Tavern Museum through the eyes of Junior Docents--students 4th grade and older who are trained guides stationed throughout the building. These Sunday afternoons also opportunities to dive deeper into history through trivia, hands-on object stations, and a chocolate-making demonstration. Great for all ages, you'll leave inspired by this next generation of historians!
Beyond the Battlefield: A Civil War Walking Tour of Alexandria
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Saturday, September 12
10 a.m.
$ 15 / person
Tickets Here
This walking tour shares the stories of soldiers, citizens, and self-liberated African Americans in Civil War Alexandria. It covers the military occupation, the conversion of public and private buildings into hospitals, and emancipation.
Preservation Tours: Lost Buildings of Alexandria-Urban Renewal
Tours begin at Carlyle House, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Saturdays in September (12th & 19th)
10 a.m.
$20 / person
Tickets Here
Join Carlyle House on a tour of “Lost Alexandria.” Urban renewal projects across the country took place starting in the 1950s were government and private initiatives aimed at addressing urban decay, upgrading infrastructure and revitalizing city neighborhoods. In the 1960s, the Gadsby Commercial Urban Renewal Project changed and demolished portions of multiple blocks including the 300-500 block of King Street.
During September we will host the north side of the 300-500 blocks of King Street and parts of the 100 blocks of N. Fairfax, N. Royal, & N. Pitt Streets. May’s Urban Renewal Tour of the South side of King Street is not required to attend September’s walking tour.
This tour includes walking over many city blocks. North side tours will take place on two Saturdays in September all at 10am. Walking shoes required, bottled water suggested. Held rain or shine. Tickets are required for all tours.
Panel Discussion: Remembering All of the Titans - Cheerleading Legacies
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street
Saturday, September 12
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Free
Alexandria Historical Society is hosting a panel discussion that will bring out much more of the story loosely based on the experiences of the football team of the former T.C. Willilams (now Alexandria City) High School.
Dr. La’Tonya Rease-Miles (TCW ’88), a public historian, cultural critic, and Alexandria native, will moderate this conversation with multiple generations of TC Williams cheerleaders, including members of the historic 1971 squad. Together they will provide first-person views of the schools, sports, and integration issues in Alexandria’s Black community. Highlighting the enduring intergenerational community of Alexandria’s cheerleaders, the panel will focus on the leadership, mentorship, and legacy that was passed down through women’s sports. This program offers another exciting opportunity for the community to learn untold stories from our city’s past, while in this case highlighting important topics dealing with integration, women’s history, and sports culture in Alexandria.
This event is supported in part by a Virginia Humanities grant.
2026-2027 StoryKit Cohort
The Office of Historic Alexandria’s (OHA) StoryKit Program is a training program that introduces oral history methods and provides resources to a cohort of
city residents to complete oral history projects. Interested in applying to this program and want to learn more? Attend the virtual information session on Thursday, September 3, 2026 from 7-8 p.m. RSVP below to receive the link. Please note that the application portal will only be open to participants who attend the informational session. If you cannot attend this session, please contact the Alexandria Oral History Center at oralhistorycenter@alexandriava.gov.
To register, RSVP here.
The 2026-2027 application will open on September 7, 2026. The StoryKit program will run from November 2026 to June 30, 2027. The five-week training program will take place every Tuesday evening from 7-9 p.m. November 10 through December 15, 2026. Following the completion of this training, participants will complete their own oral history project by June 2027. Each cohort member will receive a stipend of $1,000. Current residents of the City of Alexandria and all levels of skills and experiences are encouraged to apply.
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
On Monday, September 7: Gadsby’s Tavern Museum and the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. All other Alexandria Historic Museums will be closed in observance of Labor 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.
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, September 26, 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. – 5 p.m.; Sundays & Mondays 1 - 5 p.m.
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.
New Digital Exhibit: Alexandria Historical Society Launches New Digital History Museum
More than two centuries of Alexandria history—and thousands of years of the region’s human story—can now be explored from anywhere through the Alexandria Historical Society’s new Alexandria Digital History Museum. The free online museum, officially launched by the Society on July 28, features more than 140 stories exploring the people, places, neighborhoods, and events that have shaped Alexandria. Designed as an evolving public-history resource, the museum allows residents, visitors, students, educators, and researchers to explore Alexandria’s history from anywhere.
The museum can be visited at:
alexandriahistoricalsociety.org/digital-history-museum
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
On September 6, 1654, Dame Margaret Brent obtained a patent for a 700-acre plot that included what is now Alexandria. In 1669, Governor Berkeley awarded an overlapping land grant to Robert Howson, an English ship captain. This tract extended along the Potomac River, from Hunting Creek on the south to the Little Falls on the north. Less than a month later, Howson sold the land to Scotsman John Alexander. The town was later named for the Alexander family in 1749.
Upcoming Commission and Committee Events
Commissions Supporting Historic Alexandria
- August 31 Committee of Inquiry
Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street
7 p.m. - September 1 Public Records Advisory Commission (PRAC)
Archives and records center at 801 south Payne street.
7:30 p.m. - September 9 Alexandria Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission (AHRPC)
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
8-9:15 a.m. - September 9 ACRP Steering Committee
Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street
5:30 - 7:30 p.m. - September 14 Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
7-9 p.m. - September 15 Historic Alexandria Resources Commission (HARC)
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
7-9 p.m. - September 16 Alexandria Archaeological Commission (AAC)
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
7-9 p.m. - September 21 George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee (GWBCC)
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
7-9 p.m.