Preservation Month in Historic Alexandria
Explore your hometown for Preservation Month! During May, communities across the country celebrate local historic preservation. The City of Alexandria has been a leader in the field of historic preservation, from the creation of the country’s third oldest historic district in 1946 to the start of Alexandria Archaeology in 1961. Join us for one of the following events to learn more about preservation in Alexandria. All tickets and reservations can be made at Alexandriava.gov/Shop.
Specialty Tour: Peeling Back the Paint Layers
Every Saturday in May 9:30 a.m.
$15 per person, $12 OHA members
Explore Gadsby's Tavern Museum top to bottom, including spaces rarely opened to the public, and understand how the buildings have changed over time. Wear comfortable shoes and bring your camera! Tour begins in the shop of Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal Street.
Lecture: Phase 1 of Murray-Dick-Fawcett Restoration
Tuesday, May 9, 7 p.m.
Free, but advance registration recommended.
Construction of the Murray-Dick-Fawcett house began in 1772, with additions in 1784, 1797 and 1854 and has changed very little since. It is one of the oldest, least altered wood-frame buildings in Northern Virginia and was acquired by the City of Alexandria in 2017 for use as a historic site and vest pocket park. This lecture by retired City Planner Al Cox will explain some of the physical and archival research that preceded the recent restoration of the exterior building envelope, show discoveries made during this phase of construction, and discuss the next steps for documentation and interpretation. Lecture will be held at the Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street. Doors open at 7 p.m. and lecture begins at 730 p.m.
Walking Tour: Parker-Gray with Alexandrian Michael Johnson
Saturday, May 20, 10-11 a.m.
Free, but advance registration required.
Spend an hour on a walking tour through the Historic Parker-Gray neighborhood with Michael Johnson, a native of Parker-Gray. Parker-Gray is a historic African American neighborhood in Alexandria and home to many important Alexandrians. Johnson will share his personal history of this amazing neighborhood, giving details about the various important sites of the neighborhood. Tour begins in front of Charles Houston Recreation Center.
Can’t make one of these events. Explore on your own! Visit Alexandriava.gov/SelfGuidedTours for walking tours of Alexandria. City of Alexandria residents can also tour any City-owned museum for free! Visit Alexandriava.gov/Museums for a list of City-owned museums and hours.
About the Office of Historic Alexandria (OHA): The Office of Historic Alexandria preserves and shares the past to enrich the present and inspire the future. OHA shares these stories through museums and landscapes as well as tours, exhibitions, and a variety of public programs. Museums include the Alexandria Archaeology Museum, Alexandria Black History Museum, Alexandria’s History Museum at the Lyceum, Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site, Freedom House Museum, Friendship Firehouse Museum, Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, and the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum. Additional spaces including the African American Heritage Park, Archives and Records Center, Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery, Murray-Dick-Fawcett House, Lloyd House, and Union Station collectively tell the story of the City. Urban archaeology also plays an active role in uncovering and interpreting Alexandria’s history, recovering artifacts before they are lost to construction. OHA enhances the quality of life for City residents and visitors and is a partner in the City’s equity and inclusion initiatives. For more information about the Office of Historic Alexandria, visit alexandriava.gov/Historic.
The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended. To request a reasonable accommodation, e-mail nicole.quinn@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.4554, Virginia Relay 711.
For inquiries from the news media only, contact the Office of Communications & Public Information at newsroom@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3969.
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This release is available at alexandriava.gov/go/4578.