Incorporate a visit to an Alexandria historic site or museum to bring your lessons to life and connect your students to the community they live in.

City museums offer free admission to classes from Alexandria City Public Schools, and some also offer free programs to other public and private school groups.

If you plan to visit just one museum, please contact the individual site directly to make reservations.

All City-owned Museums offer free programs to Alexandria City Public Schools.

• Alexandria Archaeology Museum
• Alexandria Black History Museum 
• Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum 
• Archives and Records Center
• Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site
• Friendship Firehouse Museum
• Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
• Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum

• The Carlyle House 
• Lee-Fendall House 

• Alexandria Colonial Tours 
• The Athenaeum 
• Christ Church 
• George Washington Masonic Memorial 
• Torpedo Factory Art Center

Schools can combine programs at multiple sites to make a morning or day-long trip to Historic Alexandria. Historic Alexandria is also happy to accommodate groups of 20 or more people by dividing your school into smaller groups that rotate through programs at several sites. The many historic sites in Alexandria, ranging from the colonial period through the Civil Rights movement, compliment each other to make a memorable and educational day.

To book a visit to multiple sites, contact the Office of Historic Alexandria Education Coordinator Lauren Gleason at 703.746.4736 or through Alex311 at least three weeks in advance. If you plan to visit just one museum, please contact the individual site directly to make reservations. 

Next to topic, location is often the biggest factor when choosing which sites to visit. When making your reservation, the Education Coordinator will be able to make program recommendations based on location, topic, and student age as well as help you plan appropriate time for travel. Some sites are within walking distance of one another and all have a bus loading/unloading zone within a block of their front door.

Whether you are bringing a single class or an entire grade, Historic Alexandria can design a program to meet your needs. Groups of 20 or more students can be accommodated by dividing them into smaller groups that rotate through several sites. The Education Coordinator will work with you to ensure groups are small enough to attend all of the museums on your list and will help arrange a schedule for each group to follow during your visit.  

Programs offered range from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours in length, depending on the site and topic requested. Groups can arrange two to three programs back-to-back, but are also welcome to schedule a lunch break between programs. The Education Coordinator will provide a rotation schedule for each group to follow with your confirmation packet.

When visiting multiple sites, it is important to remain on schedule; please be sure to plan adequate travel time to Alexandria so the program can begin on time. If you have any questions or concerns about traveling between sites during the day, the Education Coordinator would be happy to address them. If you are running late, please call the Education Coordinator.

When making your reservation, please discuss any special needs in your group. Each site will use this information to ensure all participants are included and have a positive experience during their visit. Many historic sites in Alexandria are multi-level and do not have elevators; however, if notified when scheduling the program, adjustments can be made to include all students to the best of each site’s ability. Sign language and foreign language interpreters may also be available if requested when making your reservation.

All sites offer free admission to Alexandria City Public Schools who call in advance to arrange a program. A few sites also offer free programs to other public and private school groups or charge a nominal fee per child.

Please be prepared to pay each site separately on the day of the program.

Car parking
Groups arriving by car should include time for parking in their schedule. There is metered street and garage parking available throughout Old Town.

Bus parking and loading/unloading
School and tour buses must use designated loading/unloading and parking areas in Historic Alexandria. For the exact locations, see motorcoach and school bus parking. Please check before your visit, as parking locations are subject to change.

Public restrooms and water fountains are available in the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, City Hall, and the Torpedo Factory Art Center. Most historic sites do not have restroom facilities for school groups.

Groups must arrange lunch and/or snack plans in advance with the Education Coordinator.