Schedule a guided group tour or a "meet and greet,"  or reserve an educational kit for your classroom.

Throughout the year Civil War lectures, changing exhibits, preservation workshops and living history events encourage learning about this important period in American history. Check our calendar for a full schedule of upcoming events.

Enhance your visit by learning more about the history of Fort Ward and the Defenses of Washington.

Fort Ward offers a comprehensive educational kit called Life During the Civil War, designed for use by teachers in elementary through high school grades. This varied program contains a wide selection of materials to be explored by students in visual, tactile and audio form. A Teacher’s Guide Notebook contains lessons and exercises to be selected by the teacher for use in the classroom on themes such as the common soldier, photography during the Civil War, civilian response to military occupation, music during the war, and the role of women and African American soldiers.

The rich array of teaching resources includes primary source documents such as letters and soldiers’ narratives, photographs, slides which portray life in camp, and a music cassette tape of Civil War songs. Hands-on reproduction objects in the soldier’s haversack and lady’s purse are also featured. Through Life During the Civil War, students learn about the experiences and views of soldiers and civilians in both the North and South. The different sections of the program feature exercises, games, suggested reading lists and follow-up activities. Life During the Civil War may be borrowed by local teachers for two weeks for a fee of $15.00, or three weeks for $20.00. To make a reservation for the kit, please call 703.746.4848.

See rental information for this and other Historic Alexandria outreach kits.

School groups, senior citizens groups and others may request guided tours of the fort and Museum by advance reservation.

School tours usually last 1 ½ hours. Up to 60 students at one time can be accommodated. Lessons are free to Alexandria City Public School groups, and $3 per person ($40 minimum) for all other groups.

Adult tours are offered at $5 each for a minimum of 12 people. Call 703.746.4848 for information on student and group tours.

A 10-minute introduction/orientation by Museum staff is followed by a self-guided walking tour. Available Tuesday through Sunday for groups of a minimum of 12 persons. Suitable for adults and/or children. Works well for home school groups with a variety of student ages, scouts, family groups, clubs. Must be booked in advance. No charge.

The following resource will be help with your understanding of the Fort, and provides an introduction to museum exhibits.

• Touring the Fort