april 27–May 3, 2026

What's New

FEATURED EVENT

Specialty Tour: Peeling Back the Layers–Behind the Scenes

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N Royal Street
Saturdays - May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
11 a.m. 
$15 per person, Historic Alexandria Members: $12/person 
Purchase tickets. 

May is Preservation Month! Explore Gadsby's Tavern Museum top to bottom, including spaces rarely opened to the public, and understand how the buildings have changed over time. Wear comfortable shoes and bring your camera! Please note this tour involves ascending and descending multiple sets of stairs, including into the rarely on view fourth floor, complete with historic graffiti! 

Whisky Tasting at The Lyceum 
 
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street
Saturday, May 2
6 - 8 p.m.
General admission tickets are $75. Only 10 tickets left! 
Purchase tickets 
VIP tickets - SOLD OUT!

The City of Alexandria’s Sister Cities Committee invites whisky lovers and curious sippers alike to its annual signature event. Guests will enjoy a guided tasting across the whisky regions of Scotland, gaining insights into the craftsmanship and culture behind each pour. This informative program will help you learn all about the rich tapestry that is Scotch whisky, enable you to sample five different whiskies from across Scotland, and provide an opportunity to ask questions and share personal insights. 

General admission includes hors d’oeuvres and whiskey tasting with a souvenir Glencairn glass. Wine and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for non-whisky drinkers. A raffle will also be held with prizes, with tickets available for cash purchase at the event. Minimum age: 21. All proceeds support the Alexandria Sister Cities Committee and its mission to support the educational and cultural exchanges between Alexandria, VA and her sister cities of Dundee, Scotland and Helsingborg, Sweden.

On April 23, 2026, the Alexandria Community Remembrance Project (ACRP) hosted the Joseph McCoy Remembrance Event at Roberts Memorial United Methodist Church, marking 129 years since the lynching of Joseph McCoy in Alexandria on April 23, 1897. Community members gathered for an evening of reflection and remembrance, featuring remarks by Dr. Rodney Sadler titled, “Governed by Fear and Hate: The Tools of the Supremacist State.” Roberts Memorial UMC, the McCoy family’s home church and one of Alexandria’s historic Black churches, was the location of the remembrance event for the second time. The remembrance honored Joseph McCoy’s life while acknowledging the painful legacy of racial violence and injustice that shaped Alexandria’s history and the nation. 

Upcoming Events

View the Historic Alexandria Calendar                                                                                                                                                      

Yoga on the Magnolia Terrace
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 6 p.m.
Saturdays: 9 a.m. & 10:15 a.m. 
$10 a class
Purchase Tickets

Join our friends at Carlyle House for an hour-long gentle flow Yoga Class on Carlyle House’s Magnolia Terrace. Please bring water, a towel, and a yoga mat. Wear comfortable yoga wear. Class may be canceled due to inclement weather, you will receive an email if class is canceled. Tickets are non-refundable unless class is cancelled by the museum.

The Women of Lee-Fendall
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Wednesday, April 29
11 a..m.- Noon
$17.85 (includes a $2.85 fee)
Purchase Tickets

This special house tour will take you through the lives of some of the women who lived and worked in the Lee-Fendall House over the years as a private home and even when it became a museum in 1974. Learn about their struggles and achievements as women, wives, educators, workers, mothers, performers, and activists.
 

Traditional Music Concert Series at The Lyceum
Dylan Foley & Matt Mancuso
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street
Friday, May 1
7:30 - 9:30 p.m. 
$35; $15 ages 12-17
Purchase tickets. 

Dylan Foley and Matt Mancuso are New York-based musicians who frequently collaborate in the Irish traditional music scene. They are both accomplished fiddle players and have appeared on several albums and at festivals together.

Foley is an award-winning fiddle player known for his performances with musicians like Isaac Alderson. He and Alderson released an album together in 2017 called The Palace Sessions, which featured Matt Mancuso on trumpet. He is a frequent performer at Irish music events and venues, including past collaborations with Josh Dukes.

Mancuso is a talented multi-instrumentalist who plays both fiddle and trumpet. He is known for his daring and dynamic fiddle playing. He has performed in various bands and at numerous Irish music events.

Foley and Mancuso have regularly played together at live events in New York and other locations. The album “The Palace Sessions: (2017) features Isaac Alderson and Dylan Foley and includes Matt Mancuso on trumpet. Proceeds from the record were donated to disaster relief.
 

Beyond the Battlefield: A Civil War Walking Tour of Alexandria
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Saturday, May 2
10 - 11:30 a.m.
$17.85 (includes a $2.85 fee)
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. Tours take place rain or shine, so please wear appropriate shoes and clothing. 
 

Preservation Tours: Lost Buildings of Alexandria Urban Renewal
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Saturdays in May (2nd, 16th, & 23rd)
10 a.m. - Noon
$20
Purchase Tickets

In honor of National Preservation Month, join Carlyle House on a tour of “Lost Alexandria.” Urban renewal projects across the country took place starting in the 1950s, where government and private initiatives aimed at addressing urban decay, upgrading infrastructure, and revitalizing city neighborhoods. In the 1960s, the Gadsby Commercial Urban Renewal Project changed and demolished portions of multiple blocks including the 300-500 block of King Street. 

During May’s Preservation Tours, tour guides will lead groups through the south side of the 300-500 blocks of King Street and parts of the 100 blocks of N. Fairfax, N. Royal, & N. Pitt Streets to discuss what had been here, why they were destroyed, and how that impacted Alexandria.
 

Family Fun Day, May 2nd- Beautiful Bees!
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Saturday, May 2
Noon - 3 p.m.
Free

Read and craft with your friends on the Carlyle House front Lawn for Family Fun Day. Sit in on story time and participate in crafts and other activities that relate to the theme of the month. Please note that there is no Family Fun Day in July. This program is for all ages, though some of the crafts might be challenging for guests under 4. There is no fee to join this program, but donations are encouraged.
 

Wine & Art Night
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Saturday, May 2
6 - 9:30 p.m.
From $81.88
Purchase Tickets

Join us for Wine & Art Night at Lee-Fendall, an elegant evening inspired by the excitement and style of the Kentucky Derby. Celebrate spring in the historic Lee-Fendall Garden with fine wine, local art, delicious food, and a festive Derby atmosphere.
 

Oral History in the Mid-Atlantic Region (OHMAR) 2026 Annual Meeting
Events will occur at two venues in Alexandria, Virginia, the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum (201 S. Washington Street) and Lloyd House (220 N. Washington Street)
Thursday, May 7 at 9 a.m. to Friday, May 8 at 3 p.m.
Standard Conference Ticket: $65
Student Ticket: $35
Register Here

Oral History in the Mid-Atlantic Region (OHMAR), in partnership with The Alexandria Oral History Center, invite you to our 2026 Annual Conference themed “Witnessing State Violence: Oral History and Liberatory Praxis.” The theme encourages attendees to think critically about the role that oral history has in documenting and resisting state violence, to include municipal, provincial/state and federal forms of violence – via two key aspects of oral history practice: witnessing and power. Both national and internationally focused proposal topics are welcome, as well as viewpoints from across the ideological spectrum.

A special workshop will be on Friday, May 8
1:30-2:30 p.m., Lloyd House
Workshop Ticket: $15
Register Here

The local community is welcome to register for just the workshop: “Holding Multiple Truths: How Oral Historians Can Tell a Story From All Sides” facilitated by Shilpi Malinowski. 

In this workshop, author, journalist and oral historian Shilpi Malinowski will share her process for examining the gentrification of D.C. from all sides, including the displaced, newcomers, for-profit and nonprofit developers, those who feel disrespected, and those who are unsure if they belong. 
 

Grown-Up Field Trip: Archives (Archives & Records Center)
Archives and Records, 801 S. Payne Street
Friday, May 8
6:30 - 8 p.m.
$15/$12 for Grown-up Field Trip Members
Purchase Tickets–only 3 spaces left!

Go behind the scenes with original documents, photographs, and records that illuminate African American life in Alexandria. This hands-on experience offers a rare opportunity to work directly with primary sources and discover how archives preserve community stories.
 

Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex Walking Tour
1475 Wilkes Street
Intersection of Wilkes Street and Hamilton Avenue within the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex, Alexandria, VA
Saturday, May 9
1 -2 p.m.
$15
Purchase Tickets

Join public historian David Heiby for a guided walking tour exploring what is often described as the most historic cluster of cemeteries in the United States. Established after Alexandria’s devastating yellow fever epidemic of 1803 and the city’s 1804 burial edict, the complex represents more than two centuries of American history.
 

Love You A Bunch: Mother’s Day Victorian Bouquet Making
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Sunday, May 10
2 - 4 p.m.
$40 (ticket includes admission for one mother/child pair!)
$10 per additional guest
Purchase Tickets 

Celebrate Mother's Day surrounded by nature, florals, and feminine history. The two hour event will include a mini-lecture on Victorian Flower Language, followed by a bouquet making workshop. 

Tickets are $40 for a pair of participants, this is labeled as the "best buds" option in ticketing. If you would like to add an additional guest, there is an option to do so for $10 per person. 
 

Historic Happy Hours 
O’Connell’s Irish Pub, 112 King St.
Thursday, May 14
5 - 7:30 p.m.
10% of proceeds from the evening will go towards supporting the 250th commemorations. 

Unwind in Old Town at Historic Happy Hours while connecting with the work of Historic Alexandria as we mark the nation’s 250th! Historic Alexandria staff will share recent research during the event. 

For more information, visit Alexandriava.gov/America250.

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

Friendship Firehouse Museum
Saturday, May 16, 11 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 through 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.

Virginia 250 Passport

Historic Alexandria is proud to join 70 premier historic destinations across Virginia in the launch of the Virginia 250 Passport, a first-of-its-kind statewide tourism journey celebrating America’s 250th. Featured Alexandria museums include Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, and the Alexandria Black History Museum. The passport offers prizes and discounts to encourage families to explore Virginia’s rich history together. Beginning November 11, 2025, free passports will be available at major historic sites and Virginia Welcome Centers. Learn more at VirginiaHistory.org/250Passport.

New Exhibit: Women in Business: We Were Always Here  – Now open

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N Royal Street
Visit the Historic Alexandria website or see below for museum hours. 
Included with cost of admission
Adults: $5, Children (ages 5-12): $3, Children four and under are free with a paying adult. Admission is free for City of Alexandria residents. 

Gadsby’s new exhibit featuring Hannah Griffith, a female coffeehouse operator at this location, is now open! The exhibit is included in regular admission. 

Visitors will be able to see primary sources up close to explore how women appear (and don’t) in the historical record in the 18th century. In addition to Hannah’s story, visitors will learn about the female business owners on the block around City Hall today, highlighting how women continue to be an important part of Alexandria’s business community. All of the women-owned businesses facing City Hall are included in this exhibit—14 total owned by 17 women! 

The exhibit will be up through March 2027.

Exhibit: “Disease and the Apothecary” – Now open

Explore how epidemics like Smallpox, Yellow Fever, and Influenza shaped Alexandria’s past and how science and public health saved lives. Included with admission. Free for Alexandria residents! The new exhibit is also available online. 

Exhibit: Union Navy Exhibition at Fort Ward Museum 

A new exhibition, “Aboard Ship with the Jack-Tars of the Union Navy,” opened October 2 at the City of Alexandria’s Fort Ward Museum. The exhibit focuses on the U.S. Navy during the Civil War and is being held in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Navy on October 13, 1775. The exhibition will continue through 2026. The exhibit, with pictures of select objects, is also available online.   

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

On April 28, 1861, soldiers attended Sunday religious services with their companies. Mount Vernon Guards attended Methodist Protestant Church, Old Dominion Rifles attended Christ Church, Warren Rifles attended Grace Church, Fairfax Calvary attended Second Presbyterian, Alexandria Artillery attended First Presbyterian, Emmett Guards and Irish Volunteers attended St. Mary’s, and Washington Home Guards attended Methodist Episcopal Church.

Upcoming Commission and Committee Events

Commissions Supporting Historic Alexandria
 

• April 27 Alexandria Sister Cities Committee - Dundee, Scotland and Helsingborg, Sweden
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  7-8:30 p.m.

• May 5 Public Records Advisory Commission
  Archives and Records Center, 801 South Payne Street. 
  7:30 p.m.

• May 13 Alexandria Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  8-9:15 a.m.

• May 18 George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee (GWBCC)
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  7-8:30 p.m.

• May 19 Historic Alexandria Resources Commission
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  7-9 p.m.

• May 20 Alexandria Archaeological Commission
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  7 p.m.