december 23–29, 2024
 

What's New

Outlandish Tour at the Apothecary Museum

Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105-107 South Fairfax Street
Sunday, January 26 through Sunday, February 9
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
$15, $12 Historic Alexandria members
Purchase tickets.

Celebrate the wrap of Outlander Season 7! Tour this historic apothecary and learn about a few of the herbal medicines features in Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series of novels from cascara to dauco seeds. The specialty tour also touches on the role of apothecaries and women in medicine in the 18th century. Recommended for ages 18 and up. Please arrive between 10:45 - 11a.m. as the museum is not open to the public until 1 p.m. and the doors will be locked when the tour begins. Please note the tour involves ascending and descending stairs. 

The 2024 Holiday Ornament is Here!

This year's Historic Alexandria ornament honors the 200th anniversary of Lafayette's visit to Alexandria in 1824. This beautiful piece showcases the "Lafayette House" where he lodged during his time here. The three inch brass ornament comes in a custom box with a card detailing its historical significance. 

$25 - Available NOW in Historic Alexandria museum stores and in our online store. 

Tavern Games Night

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal Street
Friday, January 31
7 p.m. 
$10
Purchase tickets.  

Tavern Games Night is back, this time with Old Town Soul as its theme. A $10 cover includes tavern games and a themed presentation with the crowd-favorite jeopardy game featuring Alexandria’s Black History. Cash bar (non-alcoholic and alcoholic). Event takes place in the second floor ballroom. Due to its historic nature, the building does not have an elevator. 

Upcoming Events

View the Historic Alexandria Calendar                                                                                                                                                      

Story Time for Little Historians
Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street
Saturday, January 11
10 a.m.- 10:45 a.m. 
Free

Dynamic storytellers use books written by and about African American people and other communities of color to engage with ages 5-8, then stay to learn about the principles of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa workshop begins at 11 a.m. 

Martin Luther King Jr. Poster Exhibition
On view in the Vola Lawson Lobby of City Hall, 301 King Street
Wednesday, January 15 - Friday, February 28
Free

The City of Alexandria honors the memory and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with its annual Poster Exhibition and Program. Posters will be on view from Alexandria City Public School students in the Vola Lawson Lobby of City Hall from January 18, 2016 through February 29, 2016.

The Alexandria Black History Museum with the Office of Historic Alexandria sponsors an annual Student Poster Exhibition for Alexandria City Public School students, grades 2-5.

Meaningful Conversations about Racism and What to Do About It
Topic: Refugees and Immigrants
Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street
Thursday, January 16
7 - 9 p.m. 
Free

Join Alexandria community members for open and honest discussions about various topics. Join us as we resume our meaningful conversations that explore and celebrate the diversity of cultures and peoples in our area, address the attitudes and behaviors that still divide us, and seek remedies grounded in the recognition that we are one interconnected, interdependent human family.

Seán Gavin and Josh Dukes in Concert at the Lyceum
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street
Thursday, January 16
7 p.m.
$25, $10 under 18
Purchase tickets.

A master of the uilleann pipes, Irish flute, and tin whistle, Seán Gavin is one of the most highly regarded performers and teachers of traditional Irish music. He is the first musician born outside Ireland to win the prestigious Seán Ó Riada Gold medal, and the author of a popular tin whistle book published by Hal Leonard.  Seán is the founder and director of the Irish Music Institute - a non-profit music school based in Southeast Michigan. With recordings, lectures, and performances around the globe to his credit, Seán is back in his native Detroit, where he continues to play, teach, and promote traditional Irish music. 

Josh Dukes is an All Ireland champion accompanist and a highly sought after music teacher in the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area. A multi-instrumentalist whose talents embrace the ceili drums, guitar, bouzouki, bodhran, flute, and tin whistle. He has shared the stage with such renowned musicians as John Doyle, Paddy Keenan, Billy and Sean McComiskey, Brendan Mulvihill, Kevin Crawford, Zan McLeod, and Myron Bretholz. Josh lives in the greater D.C. Area with his wife and two daughters. 

Tables of Conscience Book-Themed Dinners
Saturday, January 18
6-9 p.m.
Tickets will be available on Dec. 30. 

The final round of Tables of Conscience book-themed dinners to raise money for the 2025 scholarships in the names of Joseph McCoy and Benjamin Thomas will be held in January and February. The dinners will complete our campaign to raise two $3000 scholarships for Alexandria City High School students. 

Book: Of Poetry and Protest: From Emmett Till to Trayvon Martin By Phil Cushway (Compiler), Michael Warr (Editor), Victoria Smith (Photographer)

Join ACRP members in what is sure to be a lively conversation about this compilation of African American poets and essayists that give voice to the Black experience in America. The anthology highlights Pulitzer Prize winning poets such as Rita Dove, Natasha Tretheway, Yusef Komunyakaa and Tracy Smith, Essayists include Rev. Dr. William Barber II and Jeannine Amber. Each one provides an artistic, incisive take on our culture and times. 

Support Historic Alexandria

Historic Alexandria receives City operational funding to support its mission; however, these resources do not cover the full scope of the department’s strategic goals and projects. Donations, special revenue, and grant funding help supplement staff, conservation work, and educational programs.  Please consider making a gift today. 

Historic Alexandria Museum Hours

Plan your Visit

All Museums will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s 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. Special additional hours during the holidays: Thursday, December 19, 4-9 p.m. and Tuesday, December 31, 11 a.m.--4 p.m. Closed December 26.

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 Museum
Saturdays, 11 a.m. –  5 p.m., Sundays, 1 – 5 p.m.

Freedom House is open on weekends only through early January. Group visits available by special appointment.

Friendship Firehouse Museum
Saturday, December 28, 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. Special additional hours during the holidays: Monday, December 30, 11 a.m.- 4 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. Special additional hours during the holidays: Monday, December 30, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

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 December 24, 1953, the Alexandria City Council passed a resolution supporting construction of a proposed $20 million bridge at Jones Point, provided that the full cost was paid for by the Federal government. First announced in August 1952, the new Potomac River crossing was initially planned to connect the Shirley Highway at Springfield with Overlook Avenue in Oxon Hill, Maryland.  Later the bridge was incorporated within the circumferential highway that circled the District of Columbia after the Interstate Highway System was approved in 1956.  The new bridge, renamed  the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, opened on December 28, 1961 almost eight years to the day of City Council’s resolution of support.

Upcoming Commission and Committee Events

Commissions Supporting Historic Alexandria

• January 6 George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee
  Via zoom, register online. 
  7 p.m.

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

• January 13 Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee 
  Sister Cities Conference Room, 1101, City Hall, 301 King Street
  7-9 p.m

• January 15 Alexandria Archaeological Commission
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street 
  7 p.m.

• January 20 Public Records Advisory Commission
  Archives and Records Center, 801 South Payne Street
  7:30 p.m.

• January 21 Historic Alexandria Resources Commission
  City Hall - Room 1900 (First Floor), 301 King Street
  7-9 p.m.

• January 29 Schools and Libraries Action Committee
  Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street
  6-8 p.m.