Celebrate 100 Years of Black History Month with Historic Alexandria

Page updated on February 2, 2026 at 1:55 PM
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Celebrate 100 Years of Black History Month with Historic Alexandria

This February, the Office of Historic Alexandria invites the community to celebrate Black History Month and mark 100 years of national recognition of Black history. Founded in 1926 by historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson, this national observance began as an effort to ensure Black history was studied, preserved, and honored—an idea that grew into the month-long celebration we recognize today.

Join us throughout February for a dynamic lineup of events and activities that highlight the profound contributions of Black and African American communities—past and present—and their lasting impact on the City of Alexandria and our nation. Together, we continue a century-long tradition of honoring Black history as essential American history.

Here’s a list of upcoming Black History Month programming in Historic Alexandria.

This Month’s Highlights

  • All Month - Martin Luther King Jr. Poster Exhibition Awards: The Alexandria Black History Museum with the Office of Historic Alexandria sponsors an annual Student Poster Exhibition for Alexandria City Public School students, grades 2-5 (Feb 1).
  • February 7 - Tables of Conscience: Banned Books Dinner: Back and better than ever, ACRP will hold book-themed dinners to raise money for the scholarships in the names of Joseph McCoy and Benjamin Thomas.
  • February 8 - Washington Revels Jubilee Voices Concert: Singing the Journey: Still We Rise. Join Washington Revels Jubilee Voices and the Office of Historic Alexandria’s Division of African American History for a free concert celebrating African American music, history, and culture in a concert exploring the themes of freedom, resilience, and joy, from the Civil War through the present day.
  • February 20 - Grown Up Field Trips: Venture out on a four-part field trip series for adults highlighting African American history around Alexandria.
  • February 28 - Fight for the Right to Read Program: Join authors Jeff Gottesfeld and Michelle Y. Green along with illustrator and Howard University graduate Kim Holt, for a family program that highlights their new book; Fight for the Right to Read: Samuel Wilbert Tucker and the 1939 Sit-Down Strike for Library Reading Equality.

Get Involved and Learn More

In Historic Alexandria, Black history is not confined to a single month—it lives here year-round. Throughout the year, we highlight Black voices, experiences, and legacies rooted in this community through ongoing programs, digital content, and events shared on our website and social media. Tickets for select events are available in The Alexandria Shop online.  

For more information and a complete list of events in the City of Alexandria, visit alexandriava.gov/BlackHistoryMonth.

About the Office of Historic Alexandria 

The Office of Historic Alexandria preserves and shares the history of the City of Alexandria with eight museums, historic sites, archives, archaeology, tours, exhibits and public programs. Through powerful storytelling and confronting the City’s past, Historic Alexandria enriches the present and inspires the future. We enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors and serve as a partner in the City’s equity and inclusion initiatives. For more information, visit alexandriava.gov/Historic. 

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact Nicole Quinn at historicalexandria@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.4554, Virginia Relay 711. 

If you prefer communication in another language, free interpretation and translation services are available to you, please email LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or call 703-746-3960.