August 5-11, 2024
What's New
Benjamin Thomas Remembrance Program
The Alexandria Community Remembrance Project is holding its annual event in memory of Benjamin Thomas, a Black Alexandria teen lynched 125 years ago.
To acknowledge this aspect of our history as we work toward creating a more inclusive community, the Alexandria Community Remembrance Project has invited Rachel Laser to speak about attempts to stifle the teaching of our shared history, book bans, and disinformation that stokes fear about race in our public schools. She will be presenting “Why the ‘Parental Rights’ Movement Is Anti-Civil Rights.”
Please join us on Thursday, August 8 for an hour-long program of music, memory and learning.
The event will be at Shiloh Baptist Worship Center at 1401 Jamieson Avenue (across the street from the historic Shiloh church building). Doors open at 6:15 p.m. and the program begins at 6:30 p.m.
Learn more: https://www.alexandriava.gov/cultural-history/in-memoriam-2024-benjamin-thomas-august-8-1899
Alexandria Celebrates National Night Out - August 6
Each year on the first Tuesday of August, the City of Alexandria joins the nation in celebrating National Night Out, an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.
For a list of participating communities and to learn more, visit the City’s website at https://www.alexandriava.gov/NNO.
Noah Lyles Watch Party - August 8
Congratulations to Alexandria’s own Noah Lyles for his victory in the Paris 2024 Olympics 100m on Sunday, August 4, 2024!
The City of Alexandria is proud to support Noah Lyles as he competes in the 200m Paris Olympics event. Noah is already known for being one of the fastest men to ever run in the Games, now we have the opportunity to watch him compete for the gold in the 200m. The Noah Lyles Watch Party will be held on Thursday, August 8, from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Alexandria City High School. Attendees are strongly encouraged to RSVP before Tuesday, August 6 at 10 a.m.: https://www.research.net/r/AlexandriaVA-NoahLylesWatchPartyRSVP
Upcoming Events
View the Historic Alexandria Calendar
Trivia Nights at Historic Sites: Star Wars
Lee-Fendall House, 614 Oronoco Street
Friday, August 9
7-9 p.m.
$12 per person
Tickets can be purchased online.
The Lee-Fendall House Museum and Carlyle House Historic Park have combined their random nerd knowledge to create bi-weekly trivia nights in the beautiful gardens located at Lee-Fendall House. Join us all summer to test your knowledge on all things from pop culture to history! The theme of our August 9th trivia night will be Star Wars.
Trivia nights are $12 a person which includes 1 drink ticket. Additional drinks can be bought at our cash bar. Teams may have up to 6 members on them.
Registration slots are first come, first served, so we recommend paying ahead of time to save your spot. Ages 21 and over only.
Trivia nights started on June 14 and take place every other Friday at 7pm from June-August (June 14 & 28, July 12 & 26, August 9 & 23). For more information visit www.leefendallhouse.org.
Story Time for Little Historians
Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street
Saturday, August 10
10 - 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.
The Friendship Fire Company: From Fighting Fires to City Museum - Lecture with Catherine Weinraub
Lee-Fendall House, 614 Oronoco Street
Saturday, August 10
6 p.m.
$10 per person; free for museum members
Tickets can be purchased online.
Join us in celebrating the remarkable 250-year history of the Friendship Fire Company. Discover how they evolved from a firefighting company to a philanthropic group, and learn about their significant contributions to the community. The lecture will cover the involvement of the Downham family, including Robert F. Downham (owner of the Lee-Fendall House in the early to mid-20th century), in the organization. Catherine Weinraub is an expert at leading tours and is currently engrossed in conducting extensive genealogical research to unearth the rich histories of Ivy Hill Cemetery, where she is employed. Catherine, the Historian of the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association, authored a booklet in honor of Friendship Fire Company's 250th Anniversary.
Members, please call the museum to reserve your ticket. Tickets must be purchased in advance as there is limited seating. Questions? Please e-mail contact@leefendallhouse.org or call the museum at 703-548-1789.
Family Day with Young Historians
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal Street
Every Sunday, August 11 through Labor Day weekend
2- 5 p.m.
Fees included in regular admission.
Every Sunday through Labor Day weekend, guests can meet our Junior Docents, young historians grade 4 and up, as they share the stories of the tavern. The afternoon includes historic chocolate-making demonstrations. Past visitors have described the student presentations as an “exciting treat” that brings a “fun element” to the tour. Don’t miss out!
Specialty Tour: Poisons at the Apothecary Museum
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105-107 S. Fairfax Street
Sunday, August 18
11 a.m.-12 p.m.
$15 per person, $12 OHA members
Tickets can be purchased online.
Come explore the sinister side of medicine on the Apothecary Museum’s Poisons Tour. This one-hour tour explores several different types of poisons, their historic uses at the Apothecary, and what we know today. Recommended for ages 18 and up.
Please arrive between 10:45-11 a.m. as the museum is not open to the public until 1 p.m. and the doors will be locked when the tour begins at 11 a.m.
Yoga on the Magnolia Terrace-Happy Hour
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Friday, August 30
6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
$20
Join our yoga instructor for an hour long Yoga class on Carlyle’s Magnolia Terrace. Afterwards, enjoy a mocktail with yoga participants and staff. Mocktails will change based on the month and will be announced on our social media! Yoga Happy Hours are a fundraiser for new exhibit cases in the museum and sponsored by the Friends of Carlyle House.
For more details, visit the event website here.
Candlelight Vigil and Wreath Laying at Freedmen’s Cemetery
Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial, 1001 S. Washington Street
Saturday, September 7
8 p.m. (shuttle service from Lee Center starting at 7:30 p.m.)
Free
The City of Alexandria invites the public to participate in the tenth anniversary of the dedication of the Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial. This year’s remembrance will honor the late Lillie Finklea and her work with her friend Louise Massoud to create the Friends of Freedmen’s Cemetery.
To learn more about the vigil and other associated events on Sept. 6 -7, visit alexandriava.gov/historic.
Arts Enrichment Programs for Youth Grant Program
The Alexandria Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities’ Office of the Arts is collaborating with the Recreation Services Division to create Arts Enrichment Program for Youth – Grant Program (AEPY) which is funded by the American Rescue Fund Program for Alexandria. The AEPY is a program to provide funding for nonprofit organizations and teaching artists to develop high quality summer and afterschool arts programs which could be Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math; art, musical performance, culture, both traditional and nontraditional arts; and other creative projects will be in the City’s Recreation Centers.
Arts Enrichment Programs for Youth should:
1. Take place in one of the dedicated neighborhood recreation centers which are inspiring, welcoming spaces for all youth who want to participate and affirm the value of the arts and artists.
2. Focus on hands-on skill building using art supplies.
3. The culmination of the residency could result in a public event with audiences showcasing the work the youth have accomplished.
4. To actively involve youth in the implementation of the program.
The AEPY programs will be offered throughout the city between September 2 - December 15, 2024. Grant awards will be for $5,000 per residency, per location. Applicants can submit up to two applications and will not have a cash match requirement.
The application will be submitted on the SurveyMonkey online grant portal. Online applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Friday, August 16, 2024. Mailed or hand-delivered applications will not be accepted. It is anticipated that funding decisions will occur by Friday, August 23, 2024.
To request a coaching session or language support email: arts@alexandriava.gov.
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
- Alexandria Archaeology Museum
Tuesdays through Fridays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sundays, 1-5 p.m. - Alexandria Black History Museum
Thursdays and 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 and Fridays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sundays, 1-5 p.m. - Fort Ward Museum
Thursdays and Fridays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sundays, 1-5 p.m. - Freedom House Museum
Thursdays and Fridays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sundays and Mondays, 1-5 p.m. - Friendship Firehouse Museum
Saturday, September 14, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. - Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
Thursdays and Fridays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sundays through Tuesdays, 1-5 p.m. - Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
Wednesdays–Fridays, 11 a.m.– 4 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sundays & Mondays 1 - 5 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
On August 5, 1774, Alexandria’s first volunteer fire company was established as the Friendship Fire Company. Initially the company was provided space in the Market Square area, but over time, several moves ensued as the needs of the company grew. In 1855 the company moved to a new firehouse built on South Alfred Street with was a tall pointed steeple that could be seen from miles away. During the Civil War the firehouse was neglected and, by 1871, the impact of wind and weather on the steeple was so devastating that the building was closed and rebuilt. The steeple was removed and replaced by the lower cupola still in place today.
Upcoming Commission and Committee Events
Commissions Supporting Historic Alexandria
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August 6 ACRP Steering Committee
Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street
5-6 p.m. -
August 12 Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee
Sister Cities Conference Room, 1101 City Hall
7-9 p.m. -
August 19 George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee (GWBCC)
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
7-9 p.m. -
August 19 Sister Cities Committee (SCC) - Dundee and Helsingborg
Sister Cities Conference Room, 1101 City Hall
7-8 p.m. -
August 20 Historic Alexandria Resources Commission (HARC)
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
7-9 p.m. - August 21 Alexandria Archaeological Commission
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
7-9 p.m.