november 9–15, 2026
What's New
FEATURED EVENT
Alexandria’s Naval Torpedo Station Exhibit Opening
A new exhibit is opening November 11 in the main hall of the Torpedo Factory Art Center. Bold graphics and new interpretive panels will surround the green Mark 14 torpedo, highlighting the Naval Torpedo Station's many defense and government workers and the building's use during times of war and peace. View the exhibit on the first floor of the free Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union Street, or online.
Today's Torpedo Factory Art Center is the only remaining building of Alexandria's U.S. Naval Torpedo Station, first constructed at the end of World War I. A green Mark 14 torpedo, one of nearly 10,000 produced and tested at the Station during World War II, is at the center of an exhibit on the first floor. The exhibit details the many uses of the building over the years, including as federal storage, a torpedo manufacturing and testing station, a Federal Records Center and an experimental arts center.
Upcoming Events
View the Historic Alexandria Calendar
The Forces Awaken!
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street
Thursday, November 12
7-8 p.m.
$15 / person; $12 for Historic Alexandria Members
Purchase Tickets
Join us for "The Forces Awaken!" - An Evening of Philosophic Reveries! A Pageant of Modern Scientifical Recreations & Amusements! Grand Spectacle and Curious Demonstrations Revealing Unseen & Mysterious Forces of the Universe, Will Be on Display Courtesy of: The Professor. Join veteran science educator and historian Dean Howarth (The Natural Philosopher, LLC) for an evening of 19the-century science. Mr. Howarth will conduct experiments from the 19th century, much like ones conducted at Lyceum Hall in Alexandria in the 1840s and 50s. Enjoy astounding and shocking (sometimes literally) demonstrations as you learn about the invisible forces that are all around us. Beer and wine for sale.
Sip & Stroll: Alexandria at War
This tour begins at Cherry on Top, located at 1021 Queen Street, and ends at the Torpedo Factory by the waterfront
Friday, November 13
10:30 a.m. - noon
$25 per person and include one coffee drink of your choice.
Purchase Tickets
Discover Alexandria's history and its role in World War II on a guided walking tour with a coffee in hand!
Alexandria was a bustling town during the Second World War filled with servicemen and women and civilians contributing to the war effort. 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.
ACSCC French Book Club
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
Friday, November 13
7-8 p.m.
Free, but advanced registration required.
Join the Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee and Old Town Books in celebrating French authors and literature! This special collaboration event series is free and open to the public, and is designed to encourage the exploration of Francophone authors and books, especially those in the French diaspora. While buying the book at Old Town Books is not required to attend, doing so helps keep their free literary programming sustainable! Buy your copy of this month's book at their brick-and-mortar shop or online and note "SISTER10" to get 10% off. By attending an Old Town Books event, you are agreeing to their code of conduct.
Specialty Tour: Fort Ward & Civil War Music
Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site, 4301 W. Braddock Road
Saturday, November 14
10-11 a.m.
$15 / person; $12 for Historic Alexandria Members
Purchase Tickets
Come explore music in the Civil War! This one-hour tour will begin inside the museum with the exhibit "Buglers and Brass Bands." Together, we'll dive into how music and musical instruments functioned within the Union Army and the wider culture of the 1860s, complete with sound clips to round out the experience. The tour will then head outside to explore life at Fort Ward in the reconstructed Northwest Bastion, the best preserved of the Union forts that comprised the historic defense system.
Specialty Tour: Hamilton's BFF & Frenemies
Gadsby's Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal Street
Saturday, November 14
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
$15 / person; $12 for Historic Alexandria Members
Purchase Tickets
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 tour involves ascending and descending stairs. Arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to tour time to check in. No need to print tickets--your name will be on a list after purchasing.
They Lived Here Too: Work & Slavery at Lee-Fendall
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Saturday November 14
11a.m.
Tickets are $15 per person and must be purchased in advance.
Purchase Tickets
Learn about the enslaved and free African Americans who lived and worked at the Lee-Fendall House from 1785-1969. Learn about the enslaved and free African Americans who lived and worked in the home throughout its years as a private residence. Hear the stories of their experiences and their contributions to the site and its history.
Carlyle House: Self Guided Sundays
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Sunday, November 15
Noon-3 p.m.
$5 per person (children 5 and under are free)
Learn more
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.
Lecture: “All The Presidents’ Gardens”
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street
Monday, November 16
7 p.m. light refreshments, 7:30 lecture
$10 suggested donation
Please register: karen.d.paul1948@gmail.com.
Come take an entertaining and educational romp with Marta McDowell through our nation's garden history as seen through the changing grounds at the White House, featuring the Presidents, First Ladies, and their gardeners. In its two-hundred-plus years of history, the White House has had rows of vegetables, extensive glasshouses, Victorian carpet bedding, and styles ranging from Colonial Revival, to Italianate, to the elegant horticultural palette of the Rose Garden. McDowell teaches landscape history and horticulture at the New York Botanical Garden and is a popular lecturer and writer. Her seventh book with Timber Press is Beatrix Potter’s Botanical and has also authored New York Times-bestselling All the Presidents' Gardens. This lecture is hosted by the Alexandria Association.
Bienvenue Beaujolais
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
Thursday, November 19
7-10 p.m.
$80
Purchase Tickets
Please join the Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee for a special evening of French food and wine! We will enjoy the anticipated 2026 Beaujolais Nouveau and then explore beyond the Beaujolais region to showcase some of the finest French wines. From a crisp bubbly and refreshing white wine to a bold and robust red wine. To complement the wines, we will feature French cuisine, taking a tour through the flavors of France, featuring charcuterie, cheeses, and other delicacies. You will also receive a signature wine-tasting glass. For guests 21 and over.
Alexandria Cider Festival
Lloyd House grounds, 220 N. Washington Street and on Queen Street
Saturday, November 21
1–5 p.m.
$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
The Lutheran Seminary in the Battle of Gettysburg
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Sunday, November 22
2 p.m.
Tickets are $15 / free for museum members.
Purchase Tickets
On July 1, 1863, the Civil War came to the Seminary's door, leaving in its wake countless stories of heroism and horror. The Lutheran Theological Seminary moved to the western side of Gettysburg in 1832, followed three decades later by national debates that tore apart the United States and divided the institution. As the Battle of Gettysburg opened on July 1, 1863, the Civil War came to the Seminary's door, leaving in its wake hundreds of wounded soldiers, thousands of dollars of property damage, and countless stories of heroism and horror. Explore the social, military, and medical impacts on this critical site through a brief history of its stories and legacies.
Lecture presented by Codie Eash, Director of Education and Interpretation at Seminary Ridge Museum and Education Center in Gettysburg. In addition to Museum tours and programming, he lectures for American Battlefield Trust conferences, National Park Service sites, historical societies, Civil War roundtables, educational groups, and other organizations. Eash is a founding contributor to Pennsylvania in the Civil War, reviews books for Civil War Monitor and Emerging Civil War, writes articles for W. Britain’s The Standard, and serves on the Gettysburg Magazine editorial board.
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
Wednesday, November 11: The Alexandria Archaeology Museum and the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. All other Alexandria Historic Museums will be closed.
November brings new hours to the Historic Alexandria Museums. Plan your next visit to your city museums!
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, November 14, 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, 1– 5 p.m.
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
Wednesdays–Fridays, 11 a.m.– 4 p.m.; Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sundays, 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 Traveling Exhibition: Monday Robinson: A Life of Thorns and Roses – Now open
On October 22nd the traveling exhibition, Monday Robinson: A Life of Thorns and Roses, opened at the Freedom House Museum at 1315 Duke Street in Alexandria, Virginia. This exhibition was created by Belle Grove Plantation located in Middletown, Virginia where it debuted in September of this year.
This exhibit highlights the life of Monday Robinson born in 1778, a man whose story encompassed enslavement, freedom, and later, the enslavement of members of his own family as a means of protection. Monday Robinson: A Life of Thorns and Roses on display at the Freedom House Museum through December 31.
Exhibit included in regular admission, which is always free for Alexandria Residents!
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..
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 November 13, 1873, the Alexandria City Council granted permission to the Electro-Magnetic Telegraph Company, created in 1845 by inventor Samuel Morse, to run its lines through Alexandria. The line provided instant communication for the first time from New York all the way to Richmond. Morse was a well-respected American painter who in 1825 was commissioned to do a portrait of the Marquis de Lafayette in Washington, D.C. Halfway through completing the artwork he received word that his wife was seriously ill at their home in New Haven, Connecticut. He left for New England at once, only to find her dead and buried upon his arrival. Thereafter he decided to commit his endeavors to creating a device which could convey important communication instantaneously, without reliance on the daily mail. After witnessing a series of electro-magnetic experiments, he later developed the concept of the single-wire telegraph and the Morse code system of telegraphy.
Upcoming Commission and Committee Events
Commissions Supporting Historic Alexandria
- November 9 Committee of Inquiry
Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street
7 p.m. - November 9 Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee (ACSCC)
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
7-9 p.m. - November 16 George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee (GWBCC)
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
7-9 p.m. - November 17 Historic Alexandria Resources Commission (HARC)
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
7-9 p.m. - November 18 Alexandria Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission (AHRPC)
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
8-9:15 a.m. - November 18 Alexandria Archaeological Commission (AAC)
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
7-9 p.m. - November 23 Sister Cities Committee (SCC)
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
7-8:30 p.m. - December 1 Public Records Advisory Commission (PRAC)
Archives and Records Center, 801 south Payne street
7:30 p.m.