­­For Immediate Release: May 2, 2022

Join the City of Alexandria and other cities around the country in celebrating National Historic Preservation Month in May. The Office of Historic Alexandria will host a series of free public events throughout the month to highlight Alexandria’s historic preservation initiatives, including tours, viewing the city’s oldest structure, learning about hands-on archaeological practices, and more. 

• To celebrate the Murray-Dick-Fawcett House’s 250th anniversary, Historic Alexandria is offering the public a unique opportunity to talk with former City Architect Al Cox about the house on Saturday mornings. The talks will be on Saturdays at 10 a.m. at 517 Prince Street. 
  • May 7:  517 Prince Street – Owners and Architectural Changes Since 1772
  • May 14:  Replacing Your Historic Roof: what was it originally and what should it be today?  
  • May 21:  Historic Window Restoration
  • May 28:  Identifying & Replicating Historic Moldings & Trim
• Alexandria Archaeology offers the public two opportunities to learn more about the ship timbers unearthed at the Robinson Terminal Site.
  • May 13: The Torpedo Factory Art Center hosts a “Late Shift Event” from 7 to10 p.m. The Alexandria Archaeology Museum will highlight its new exhibit, “SeeWorthy,” featuring 3-D models of the ships
  • May 15: Alexandria Archaeology will host a public day at Lake Ben Brenman, with staff on hand to answer questions about the ship timber preservation process
• On April 30 at 1 p.m., Friendship Firehouse welcomed back the 1858 Prettyman Hose Reel with a “movement” ceremony. The public can view the newly conserved object on May 14 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum celebrates its National Historic Landmarks Designation with a plaque dedication Friday May 20 at 10 a.m.

Historic Preservation Month was created in 1973 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as a time for communities across the country to celebrate preservation. Associated events promote historic places and heritage tourism, and show the economic benefits of historic preservation while instilling national and community pride.

Visit alexandriava.gov/Historic for more information.

For inquiries from the news media only, contact Andrea Blackford, Editorial Communications Manager, at andrea.blackford@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3959.

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact Nicole.Quinn@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.4554, Virginia Relay 711.

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This news release is available at alexandriava.gov/go/3594.