September 1–7, 2025

What's New

FEATURED EVENT 

Classic Car Show
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum,201 S. Washington St. 
Saturday, September 20
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Free

Held in the Museum's parking lot, check out classic "orphan" vehicles that are no longer manufactured. The show will feature a variety of Packards ranging from the 1930s-1950s as well as other “orphan” vehicles that are invited to register as well. This event is co-sponsored by Packards Virginia. Inside, visit the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum’s exhibits that tell the full scope of Alexandria’s rich history and enjoy the museum shop. The car show is free. For more information, visit packardsva.org or call 703.424.5871.

Upcoming Events

View the Historic Alexandria Calendar                                                                                                                                                      

Yoga on the Magnolia Terrace
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 North Fairfax Street
Thursday, September 4
6 - 7:30 p.m.
$10
Purchase tickets.

Join Friends of Caryle House for an hour long gentle flow Yoga Class on Carlyle House’s Magnolia Terrace. This class takes you on a full journey—kick things off with energizing sun salutations to build heat, challenge yourself with balance poses, sink into deep stretches, and wrap up with total relaxation.

Please bring water, a towel, and a yoga mat. Wear comfortable yoga wear. Class may be moved inside due to inclement weather. This program is non-refundable unless the museum cancels the program.

Specialty Tour: Fort Ward & Lewis Cass White 
Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site, 4301 West Braddock Road
Saturday, September 6
10 - 11 a.m.
$15 per person/$12 for Historic Alexandria Member or Volunteer
Purchase tickets.

Come explore the special exhibition, “Lewis Cass White: Preserving the Legacy of Fort Stevens," at Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site. The exhibition highlights the efforts of a Civil War veteran to recognize and preserve the site of Fort Stevens, where the only battle in the Defenses of Washington occurred. Personal accounts, documents, photographs, and veterans’ memorabilia are featured to tell this inspiring story. Then head outside to tour the earthwork remains and fully restored Northwest bastion of Fort Ward, the best preserved of the Union forts that comprised the historic defense system.

2025 Historic Preservation Workshop  
Duncan Library Meeting Room, 2501 Commonwealth Avenue 
Saturday, September 6
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Free
Registration & Information

The Del Ray Citizens Association’s Historic Preservation Committee will host a free workshop on how to further protect the Town of Potomac Historic District and possibly create a new, larger district to take in the rest of Del Ray. Learn about history, architecture, free resources from the City, possible tax incentives, property value enhancements, and more. The event is open to all, but seating is limited. 

Black Family Reunion!
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen Street 
Saturday, September 6
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Free
More information online. 

Don’t miss the third annual Alexandria Library Black Family Reunion. The event aims to bring neighborhoods together and help fill gaps in the documented history of Alexandria’s African American community. It’s an opportunity to see friends, family and neighbors while donating family photos and memorabilia to be preserved in our Local History archive. 

Current and former residents are asked to please bring yearbooks, photographs, old event flyers, or programs that can be digitized. Better still, attendees can simply sit down and be videotaped sharing a brief oral history. 

Like any reunion, of course it will be a party! Attendees will enjoy a variety of food trucks, music and dancing, games for kids and adults, and Black Family Reunion t-shirts. This community event is free and open to all. 

Carlyle House Family Fun Day: Read-a-Book Revel
Carlyle’s Magnolia Terrace, 121 N. Fairfax Street 
Saturday, September 6
12 - 3 p.m. (first Saturday of the month from April - November)
Free (donations encouraged)
Learn more

Come join your friends on the Carlyle House Magnolia Terrace for Family Fun Day! From 12-3pm, you can sit in on story time that starts at the top of the hour and participate in crafts and other activities that relate to the theme of the month. This program is for all ages, though some of the crafts might be challenging for guests under 4. 

Alexandria Jazz Fest
The Market at Southern Towers, 4901 Seminary Rd. 
Sunday, September 7
12-4 p.m.
Free
Reserve tickets online

The City of Alexandria invites you to the return of the ALX Jazz Fest Pop Up Series on Sunday, September 7. Enjoy live jazz and spoken word featuring Prophecy Poet and jazz trumpeter Alex Parchment. Experience a hands-on art project with the Mobile Art Lab from 12-2 p.m. with performances from 2-4 p.m. alongside the market’s fresh produce, baked goods, and artisan vendors. More details about the Market at Southern Towers and their weekly offerings can be found on the City’s Farmers Market page.  

Full details of the ALX Jazz Fest and future Pop Ups can be found on the ALX Jazz Fest page.  

The ALX Jazz Fest and the ALX Jazz Fest Pop-Up Series are free events produced by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts, a division of the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA). This project is supported in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts. 

Traditional Concert Series - Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira in Concert
The Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street  
Friday, September 12
7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
$25/$15 ages 12-17
Purchase tickets online 

Join Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira in concert at the historic Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum. Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira are a dynamic fiddle & cello duo and 2024 Canadian Folk Music Award winners for Traditional Album of the Year! 

Story Time for Little Historians
Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street
Saturday, September 13
10 a.m.- 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.

Discovering Alexandria Architecture Walking Tour
Tour begins at Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street 
Saturday, September 13
10 a.m. - noon
$20 
Register online

Alexandria has grown from a small town in the 18th century to a bustling small city in the 21st century. Join us for a tour of Alexandria as we explore looking at the various Architecture styles that adorn the city streets and make it one of the best places to live and work. 

Reservations are required as space is limited. Please wear comfortable shoes for this 1.5 hour guided tour. The tour is held rain or shine unless there is severe weather. This program is non-refundable unless the museum cancels the program.

Colored Rosemont Marker Dedication
Corner of Wythe and West Streets,1300 Block of Wythe St. 
Saturday, September 13
3 - 4 p.m.
Free
R.S.V.P. online or call 703.746.4356 

Attend the dedication ceremony for a Virginia State Historic Marker recognizing the Colored Rosemont neighborhood. The program will include remarks from Mayor Alyia Gaskins, Office of Historic Alexandria, VHDR, and the Colored Rosemont Descendant Group. Learn more about The Colored Rosemont Community History Initiative.

DASH Block Party 2025!
Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center, 25 W Reed Avenue
Thursday, September 18
4-7 p.m.
Free

Join the Alexandria Transit Company (DASH) in celebrating a major milestone: reaching a record-breaking 5.64 million riders for FY 2025! To thank riders and community partners for their ongoing support, DASH is hosting a block party, and they would  love for you to participate in this year's celebration. Enjoy games, delicious food, exciting giveaways, and more! All are welcome!

Beyond the Battlefield: A Civil War Walking Tour of Alexandria
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Saturday, September 20
10-11:30 a.m.
$15
Purchase tickets. 

This walking tour shares the stories of soldiers, citizens, and self-liberated African Americans in Civil War Alexandria. It covers the military occupation, the conversion of public and private buildings into hospitals, and emancipation.

Tickets are $15 per person and must be purchased in advance. The tour is limited to 12 participants and lasts approximately an hour and a half. Walking tours take place rain or shine, so please wear appropriate shoes and clothing. Members of Lee-Fendall House are free but must call or email to make a reservation (703) 548-1789 or contact@leefendallhouse.org.

Tons of Trucks
Chinquapin Park, 3210 King Street
Saturday, September 20
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Free

The City of Alexandria’s ‘Tons of Trucks’ event returns on Saturday, September 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chinquapin Park (3210 King St.). Hosted by the Department of Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Activities (RPCA), this free, rain-or-shine event is fun for the whole family. Be sure to stop by and meet our Outreach Team while you’re there! The event will also feature a special ‘sensory-friendly hour’ from 10 to 11 a.m.

Attendees of all ages are invited to explore and get behind the wheel of their favorite City vehicles including police cars, snow plows, fire trucks, and DASH buses. Meet the staff who help build, maintain, serve, and protect the community, and learn about the tools they use. Other activities include an art project with the City’s Mobile Art Lab, giveaways, music, photo opportunities, family activities, and food truck vendors.

Visitors are invited to take free DASH Bus transportation or use Capital Bikeshare to get to the event. Visit GO Alex’s Trip Planning Page for more information on alternative transit options.

Driving to the event? Parking is available at Alexandria City High School (3330 King St.), the First Baptist Church (2932 King St.), and Oakland Baptist Church (3408 King St.). Visit the Tons of Trucks website for more information. 

Civil War Hospital Tour
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Saturday, September 20
2 -3 p.m.
$15, free for museum members
Purchase Tickets 

Learn how the Lee-Fendall House was confiscated during the Civil War and operated as a Union Army hospital. Explore what life was like in Union-occupied Alexandria, how the Lee-Fendall House witnessed medical history, and how political divisions impacted those living here.

The tour is limited to 12 participants. Members, please call the museum to reserve your ticket. Please e-mail contact@leefendallhouse.org or call 703.548.1789 with any questions.

Support Historic Alexandria

Your gift fuels preservation, education, and programs that bring Alexandria’s past to life. Donations, special revenue, and grants make it possible to expand educational programs, conserve treasured collections, and support our dedicated staff. Your gift today helps preserve Alexandria’s history for generations to come.

Historic Alexandria Museum Hours

Plan your Visit

Alexandria Archaeology Museum 
Tuesdays–Fridays, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sundays, 1 –5 p.m.

Alexandria Black History Museum
Thursdays & 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 & Fridays, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sundays, 1 – 5 p.m.  

Fort Ward Museum 
Thursdays & Fridays, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sundays, 1 – 5 p.m.

Freedom House 
Closed to Visitors During Front Door Restoration
Freedom House Museum is temporarily closed to visitors as the exterior restoration is completed. We plan to reopen in fall of 2025. 

To learn more about the ongoing rehabilitation, visit the Freedom House Rehabilitation Project page. Project updates will be posted regularly on the Freedom House webpage. 

Friendship Firehouse Museum
Saturday, September 27, 10 a.m. –  5 p.m.

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
Thursdays & Fridays, 11 a.m.– 4 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sundays-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.

2025 Historic Alexandria Holiday Ornament - Available Now in Historic Alexandria museum stores and in our online store!

Celebrate Alexandria’s 19th-century canal history with this beautifully crafted, American-made brass ornament. This year’s design honors the Alexandria Canal, featuring a canal boat exiting Lock No. 4 heading eastward toward the Potomac River, uncovered by archaeologists in the winter of 2025 on N. Pitt Street. The Alexandria Canal was in use from 1843 to 1886. Learn more here. 

Explore with Ease – The New Museum Mobility Guide

Historic Alexandria and the Department of Transportation & Environmental Services (T&ES) have launched a colorful, easy-to-use map and guide connecting all of Alexandria’s museums via walking, biking, and transit. The guide also acts as a passport—visit every site and earn a prize! Available at museums, rec centers, public libraries, and more. 

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

More from This Day in History

In the mid-19th century Alexandria was a bustling port and prosperous commercial center.  By 1856 more than 30 Jews, most from Germany, had immigrated to the city seeking freedom, dignity, and their fortunes in the various retail trades. By 1857, the families had established the Hebrew Benevolent Society to create a Jewish burial ground.  By 1859 two congregations, one Reform and one Orthodox, had formed, but they settled their basic differences in time to celebrate the High Holy Days together in 1860.  The Reform Congregation, Beth El Hebrew Congregation, was formed on September 4, 1859.  In 1871, Beth El had established a Temple on North Washington Street, which served the congregation for the next 84 years. 

Upcoming Commission and Committee Events

Commissions Supporting Historic Alexandria

• September 8 Alexandria-Caen Sister Cities Committee (SCC)
  City Hall, 301 King Street, Sister Cities Room 1101
  7-9 p.m.

• September 10 Alexandria Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  8-9:15 a.m.

• September 10 Alexandria Community Remembrance Project Steering Committee
  Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street
  5:30 p.m.

• September 15 Alexandria Sister City Committee - Dundee and Helsingborg
  City Hall, 301 King Street, Sister Cities Room 1101
  7 - 8:30 p.m.

• September 15 George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee (GWBCC) 
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  7 - 9 p.m.

• September 15 Public Records Advisory Commission
  Archives and Records Center, 801 S. Payne Street
  7:30 p.m.

• September 16 Historic Alexandria Resources Commission (HARC)  
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  7-9 p.m.

• September 17 Alexandria Archaeological Commission 
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  7-9 p.m.