City of Alexandria, VA
Alexandria Archaeology Museum Visit the Alexandria Archaeology Museum to learn how the City’s archaeologists, volunteers and students work with residents and developers to study and manage archaeological resources important to the community's past.
The main exhibit, Archaeologists at Work: The Lee Street Site, highlights one city block to provide a fascinating glimpse of Alexandria’s history and the way in which archaeologists study the past. Small “table top” exhibits feature other Alexandria sites and finds. Hands-on activities engage visitors of all ages. Learn more about exhibits. Coming to the Museum
Staying Informed
Current News and InformationOpportunities to Participate Alexandria Archaeology Summer Camp will run from July 15 -19, 2013. Applications are now online! This popular program provides an opportunity for 12-15 year olds to work on a real archaeological dig. See photos of the 2012 camp on the Alexandria Archaeology Museum's Facebook page. Registration opens April 4 for the Historical Archaeology Field Program: Fall Semester 2013, The George Washington University and Alexandria Archaeology are offering a field and laboratory course designed as a hands-on introduction to all facets of historical archaeology. The course takes place at Shuter’s Hill, site of a late eighteenth- and an early nineteenth-century plantation, located on the property of the George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia and at the Alexandria Archaeology Museum’s laboratory in the Torpedo Factory Art Center.
 New Publication on Alexandria Stoneware
- See the 2012 issue of Ceramics in America for the fully illustrated article, "Stone-Ware of Excellent Quality, Alexandria Manufacture” Part I: The Pottery of John Swann, by Barbara H. Magid. Swann's stoneware appears in the cover illustration. Ceramics in America includes a diverse range of essays, new discoveries and book reviews on the latest research of interest to ceramics scholars. Several previous volumes have included articles on ceramics from the collection of Alexandria Archaeology Museum, on the earthenware of Henry Piercy, the stoneware of TIlden Easton, sugar refining pottery, ceramics importer Robert H. Miller, and commemorative wares.
Current Projects - 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. Archaeologists were once again on site in November 2012, locating and ensuring the preservation of additional graves during work on the Washington Street sidewalk.
- Recent Excavations in Fort Ward Park. Work now taking place focuses on the 20th century African American community. The first archaeological investigation in Alexandria was conducted at Fort Ward in 1961. Learn about the history and archaeology at Fort Ward Park, with a summary of the 1961 excavations, full site reports and other studies, and oral histories. Read The Fort Heritage Trail Brochure, see a preview of the trail signage, or visit the sites in Fort Ward Park.
- Potomac Yard History and Archaeology: See a preview of the seven historical signs placed at Potomac Yard in 2012 (or visit the site to see the signs in person). Throughout ongoing development of Potomac Yard, the Office of Historic Alexandria has been committed to preserving its history. Learn more about the Potomac Yard planning and development process, and read a history of the site by Francine Bromberg, Archaeologist for Alexandria Archaeology.
Civil War Sesquicentennial Events and Information - At the Museum: Civil War Sundays. Explore the Civil War in Alexandria with Civil War Sundays, a showcase of an original May 26, 1861, edition New-York Tribune detailing Colonel Elmer Ellsworth’s death in Alexandria, a Peeps Diorama illustrating Ellsworth’s death, a TimeTravelers Passport exhibit featuring the Civil War drummer boy, diorama of a heating system constructed in Alexandria to warm Civil War hospital tents during the winter of 1861, a cocked and loaded Wickham musket discarded in a privy during the 1860s, and an exhibit on the Lee Street Site during the Civil War. Free! Weekly, 1-5 p.m.
- Bike Trail: Alexandria Civil War Defenses of Washington Bike Trail. To mark the Civil War Sesquicentennial, Alexandria, surrounding jourisdictions and the National Park Service created the the Civil War Defenses of Washington Bike Trail. A map, cue sheet and information on Civil War sites are provided for self-guided bike rides.
- The Current Dig: Shuter’s Hill. In 2013, Alexandria Archaeology is conducting its sixteenth season of excavation at the site of the Mills/Lee/Dulaney plantation on Shuter’s Hill, on the grounds of the George Washington Masonic Memorial. Shuter’s Hill is an 18th century plantation and later estate occupied by Union troops. Shuter’s Hill became the site of two Union forts in the Defenses of Washington during the Civil War.
Other News and Information
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