september 28–October 4, 2026
What's New
FEATURED EVENT
Civil War Shelter Day at Fort Ward
Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site, 4301 W. Braddock Road
Saturday, October 3
11 a.m. - 3 p.m. (Weather permitting)
This outdoor event is free!
Admission to the Fort Ward Museum is $3, children under 5 free. Museum admission is always free to city residents.
Can you tell a Sibley tent from a dog tent? How did Civil War soldiers stay warm in camp? Find out the answers to these questions and more at Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site. This interpretive program will explore a variety of tents and shelter for Civil War soldiers. Reproductions of some major types of period tents will be set up and explained. Fort Ward’s furnished Officers’ Hut, a typical military structure in the Defenses of Washington, will also be open to the public. A variety of camp life accessories, furnishings and heating methods for military accommodations will also be displayed and discussed.
Upcoming Events
View the Historic Alexandria Calendar
Historic Happy Hours
Port City Brewing Company, 3950 Wheeler Avenue
Thursday, October 1
5 - 7 p.m.
Free
Join us for Historic Happy Hours as we deep dive into history in a fun setting throughout the city! This time, we’re heading to Port City Brewing Company to explore Myths, Legends, Lore, and the Female Stranger.
Specialty Tour: Poisons at the Apothecary Museum
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105-107 S Fairfax Street
Fridays, October 2, 9, and 30
6-7 p.m.
$15 / person; $12 for Historic Alexandria Members
Purchase Tickets
Explore the sinister side of medicine on the Apothecary Museum's Poisons Tour. This one-hour tour explores several different types of poisons, their historic uses at the Apothecary, and what we know today. Recommended for adults.
Yoga on the Magnolia Terrace
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Saturday, October 3
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. Registered participants will receive an email if class is canceled due to inclement weather.
Preserving Douglass Cemetery
Douglass Memorial Cemetery, 1421 Wilkes Street
Saturday, October 3
10 a.m. – Noon (Weather permitting)
Free
How are cemeteries preserved? Meet the descendants of Douglass Memorial Cemetery and the Office of Historic Alexandria archaeologists and historians that have come together through a Community History Initiative to interpret and preserve the Frederick Douglass Memorial Cemetery. This event is held in partnership with the Alexandria Historical Society. Visitors are encouraged to use public transportation or to park along South Payne Street or at the Nannie J. Lee Center.
Carlyle House Family Fun Day-Spooky Season Kick-off
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Saturday, October 3
Noon - 3 p.m.
Free
Learn more
Read and craft with your friends on the Carlyle House front lawn for Family Fun Day on the first Saturday of the month from March-November! From noon-3 p.m. (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.
Wreath-Laying Ceremony Honoring Charles Glasscock, Alexandria’s First Firefighter to Fall in the Line of Duty
Methodist Protestant Cemetery, 1500 Wilkes Street, within Alexandria’s historic Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex
Sunday, October 4 (Rain Date: October 5)
2 - 3 p.m.
Free and open to the public
The Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association will hold a wreath-laying ceremony to honor Charles Glasscock, the first Alexandria firefighter to die in the line of duty. His grave in the Methodist Protestant Cemetery went unmarked for 174 years before being rediscovered in 2024.
Glasscock, a member of the Friendship Fire Company, died on June 30, 1852, two days after suffering fatal injuries in an accident while helping pull a fire engine to a fire. The 1851 John Rogers suction pumper whose wheels struck Glasscock in that accident survives today and is on view at the Friendship Firehouse Museum, 107 South Alfred Street. The ceremony will include the first public display of a bronze plaque commemorating Glasscock's sacrifice. The plaque will eventually be permanently mounted at the Friendship Firehouse Museum.
The Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association assists in preserving Alexandria’s historic firehouse on South Alfred Street, supports the Alexandria Fire Department, provides scholarships and philanthropic services, and promotes the city’s firefighting heritage and the contributions of present-day first responders.
Grown-Up Field Trip: Sugar Trade
Alexandria Archaeology Museum, 105 N. Union Street, Studio #327
Friday, October 9
6:30 - 8 p.m.
$15 / person; $12 for Historic Alexandria Members
Purchase Tickets
What is a Sugar House? Examine artifacts from a site in Alexandria to learn how sugar was made in the 19th century using ceramic vessels, before learning more about how archaeologists identify and analyze ceramics. This is part of Historic Alexandria's grown-up field trip series. Explore objects and primary sources, dive into conversations, and get hands-on as you learn more about Alexandria's history.
Researching Market Square
Old Town Farmers’ Market, 100 Block of North Royal Street
Saturday, October 10
7 a.m. – Noon
Free
Meet us at the Market! Market Square has been the center of economic and civic activity for Alexandrians since the City’s founding in 1749. Discover the latest research into City Hall and Market Square with Alexandria Archaeology and research historian Greg Beaman. Read the full documentary study.
Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Tour
Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial,1001 South Washington Street
Sunday, October 11
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. (Weather permitting)
$5
Purchase Tickets
Learn more about Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial’s history and the ongoing preservation efforts of the sacred site with Audrey Davis, Director of African American History, and Francine Bromberg, former City Archaeologist. The cemetery honors more than 1,700 African Americans who died in Alexandria around the time of the Civil War. Efforts of the Friends of Freedmen’s Cemetery, descendants, archaeologists, historians, and the City of Alexandria reclaimed and restored the cemetery as a place of remembrance and reflection.
Ben Brenman Awards
Alexandria City Council Meeting
Del Pepper Community Resource Center, 4850 Mark Center Drive
Tuesday, October 13
7 p.m.
Free
The Alexandria Archaeological Commission (AAC) presents awards to individuals and groups that have made significant contributions to the archaeology of the city. Learn more about the Alexandria Archaeological Commission.
Save the Date! Alexandria Cider Festival
Saturday, November 21
1–5 p.m.
Lloyd House grounds, 220 N. Washington Street and on Queen Street
$50 per person through November 1, $55 November 2–20, and $25 for designated drivers. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $65.
Purchase Tickets
Celebrate Virginia Cider Week with a special tasting event on the grounds of historic Lloyd House and on Queen Street in Old Town Alexandria. The event includes cider tastings, a souvenir cider glass, live music, tavern games, a food truck, and a little history too! This year, for the nation's 250th anniversary, the VA250 Mobile Museum Experience ("Out of Many, One") will be open on Queen Street during the event. Dress for the weather - the event is outdoors! Proceeds from the Cider Festival will benefit the Historic Alexandria Museums. Minimum Age: 21
Get Ready for Archaeology Month!
Celebrate Virginia Archaeology Month in Alexandria with special events and programs highlighting important archaeological sites and preservation efforts across the City. Visit the free Alexandria Archaeology Museum on the third floor of the Torpedo Factory Art Center,105 North Union Street, or explore the full schedule of October events.
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
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, October 10, 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.
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 October 1, 1931 the Alexandria City Council appointed the George Washington Bicentennial Commission to arrange and promote activities in Alexandria associated with the 200th birthday of our nation’s first president. Chaired by former Mayor William Albert Smoot, who resided at Lloyd House, now the headquarters for the Office of Historic Alexandria, the celebration was one of the first to officially promote Alexandria as a tourism destination. Not only did Washington regard Alexandria as his hometown, but he had even helped survey the land that became Alexandria when he was just 17 years of age. Among the major physical landmarks that grew out of the Bicentennial Commemoration are the George Washington Masonic National Memorial and the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
Upcoming Commission and Committee Events
Commissions Supporting Historic Alexandria
- September 28 Sister City Committee (SCC)
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
7-8:30 p.m. - October 5 Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
7-9 p.m. - October 6 Public Records Advisory Commission (PRAC)
Archives and Records Center, 801 south Payne street
7:30 p.m. - October 13 Committee of Inquiry
Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street
7 p.m. - October 14 Alexandria Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission (AHRPC)
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
8-9:15 a.m. - October 14 ACRP Steering Committee
Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street
5:30 - 7:30 p.m. - October 19 George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee (GWBCC)
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
7-9 p.m. - October 20 Historic Alexandria Resources Commission (HARC)
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
7-9 p.m. October 21 Alexandria Archaeological Commission (AAC)
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
7-9 p.m.