This week in Historic Alexandria, join a Union soldier in period uniform for a tour of Fort Ward, have tea with Martha Washington at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, explore Civil War Sunday at Alexandria Archaeology Museum, engage with James Madison as he discusses issues of 1812 at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, learn about the first violent deaths of the Civil War through The Marshall House Incident exhibit at Fort Ward Museum, and check out the exhibition Occupied City: Life in Civil War Alexandria at The Lyceum,with Historic Alexandria's weekly e-newsletter!
Historic Alexandria offers a variety of day camp experiences for kids ages 5 through 15! Young ones from 5 to 7 can explore American history at The Lyceum through storytelling, singing, crafts, “old-fashioned” games, and visits to nearby historic places. At Fort Ward, kids 8 to 12 will discover what life was like during the Civil War with drills, crafts, reenactor visits, setting up tents and more. Kids 12 to 15 can explore Alexandria’s buried history at Archaeology Camp by excavating a real archaeological site, processing artifacts and learning how to protect Alexandria’s heritage.
.jpg "Civil War 150th Commemoration")
The Office of Historic Alexandria is engaged in an effort to study and preserve the historic resources of Fort Ward Park. Learn more about recent archaeological excavations in the Park including new work in spring 2012, the Stakeholder Advisory Group, and relevant archaeological and historical information.
Want to explore historic Alexandria's Civil War heritage? Download this free iPhone app and take it along as you tour Alexandria! Or find out more about Alexandria history through this comprehensive and convenient app featuring Civil War forts, hospitals, cemeteries, museums and other interesting places. If you want to learn explore more of Virginia's history and attractions, check out the apps at "Mobile Virginia" at the Virginia is for Lovers site.
With centuries of history and hospitality to its credit, Alexandria offers an array of historic and cultural attractions. The city’s many historic homes, churches, businesses and museums allow residents and visitors alike to experience the hands of the past that makes our city the charming and historic town it is today.
Make your child's birthday a historic occasion, with a party at one of several historic museums in Alexandria, including the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary, the Friendship Firehouse, and Gadsby's Tavern.
Welcome to the scavenger hunt of Old Town Alexandria! This two-to-three hour, twenty-block walk, meanders through Old Town with stops at some of the city’s oldest and most historic addresses. Some stops require entrance to museums, so try to begin your scavenger hunt after 10:00, when they open. None of the clues require entering a museum that charges an admission fee. A numbers of stops are private residences; clues to these sites are found on exterior plaques and please be careful not to disturb the residents.
Groundbreaking will take place shortly on constrution of the Contrabands and Freedmen's Cemetery Memorial. The memorial park, scheduled to open in 2013, will honor the memory of the Freedmen, the hardships they faced, and their contributions to the City. Freedmen's Cemetery served as the burial place for about 1,800 African Americans who fled to Alexandria to escape from bondage during the Civil War. Freedmen's Cemetery was rediscovered in 1987 by City Historian T. Michael Miller. The City Archaeologists researched the possible boundaries of the cemetery. Wesley Pippenger published the names found in the cemetery's record book in 1994, after finding the document in the Virginia Library.
The Historic Alexandria History Center & Museum Store reflects themes from all the Office of Historic Alexandria museums. Discovery Carts give visitors a sneak peek of museums' collections including Friendship Firehouse, Alexandria Archaeology, and the Alexandria Black History Museum. Multiple hands-on activity areas for kids include a Civil War tent, dress-up costumes, and a “please touch” exhibit.
The Alexandria waterfront has an extensive history. While much has been written about various aspects of maritime history and activities on the waterfront, there is not one easy source from which to acquire information.
The Fort Ward Museum enlists the talents and knowledge of reenactors to offer numerous living history programs interpreting Civil War soldier and civilian life. Programs contribute to the public’s understanding of the period and enhance the Museum’s educational mission.
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