The Alexandria Oral History Center
About the Alexandria Oral History Center
The Alexandria Oral History Center is a community-driven collaboration to document and preserve the memories and stories of Alexandria. The Center provides residents with oral history trainings and resources to conduct oral history interviews and community history projects. Additionally, the Center maintains a public archive to preserve oral histories for future generations. The Center also deepens the public’s engagement and understanding of Alexandria’s past and present by producing public programs and resources with the oral history archive.
The Alexandria Oral History Center is grounded in the tradition of popular education and community historians who have used oral history as an essential social and civic tool for social impact. The Center’s purpose is to create a more nuanced and critical record of Alexandria’s past and present by documenting and preserving a diverse range of voices and experiences. Additionally, the purpose of the Center is to share authority with residents of Alexandria over the interpretation and preservation of Alexandria’s past and present by training and supporting future community historians. The Center is also committed to using the oral history process to foster tolerance, understanding, and a sense of community among residents in Alexandria.
Mapping Alexandria: Stories of A Changing City
New Special Initiative
For Alexandria’s 275th commemoration, the Office of Historic Alexandria has launched a new initiative entitled “Mapping Alexandria: Stories of A Changing City.” Throughout the year we ask former and current City residents to reflect and share their personal stories, and the histories of their neighborhoods and communities.
Celebrate 275 Years with Alexandria!
Oral History Collection
Oral History Archive
Public Programs and Outreach
News and Information
- Virginia Humanities awarded the Office of Historic Alexandria a $20,000 grant in 2023, to support an oral history initiative to document the stories of the Douglass Cemetery descendant community. This project is supported by the Social Responsibility Group and utilized interns from Howard University.
- Introducing Alexandria's New Oral History Center . Alexandria Times, September 15, 2022