The Virginia Department of Historic Resources celebrates Archaeology Month each October with special events and programs throughout the state. The City of Alexandria has a long history of archaeological stewardship, built on decades of community-based archaeological efforts. Join the celebrations by attending events and programs highlighting important archaeological sites and preservation efforts across the City, or by visiting the free Alexandria Archaeology Museum on the third floor of the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 North Union Street.
For the full schedule of events and more information, visit alexandriava.gov/Archaeology.
Saturday, October 3 – Preserving Douglass Cemetery
1421 Wilkes Street | 10 a.m. – Noon | Weather permitting | Free
How are cemeteries preserved? Meet the descendants of Douglass Memorial Cemetery and the Office of Historic Alexandria archaeologists and historians that have come together through a Community History Initiative to interpret and preserve the Frederick Douglass Memorial Cemetery. This event is held in partnership with the Alexandria Historical Society. Visitors are encouraged to use public transportation or to park along South Payne Street or at the Nannie J. Lee Center.
Friday, October 9 – Grown-Up Field Trip: Sugar Trade
Alexandria Archaeology Museum | 6:30 - 8 p.m. | $15; $12 members
What is a Sugar House? Examine artifacts from a site in Alexandria to learn how sugar was made in the 19th century using ceramic vessels, before learning more about how archaeologists identify and analyze ceramics. This is part of Historic Alexandria's grown-up field trip series. Explore objects and primary sources, dive into conversations, and get hands-on as you learn more about Alexandria's history. Reserve your ticket at shop.alexandriava.gov/events.
Saturday, October 10 – Researching Market Square
Old Town Farmers’ Market |100 Block of North Royal Street | 7 a.m. – Noon | Free
Meet us at the Market! Market Square has been the center of economic and civic activity for Alexandrians since the City’s founding in 1749. Discover the latest research into City Hall and Market Square with Alexandria Archaeology and research historian Greg Beaman. For more information on the documentary study of the block, visit alexandriava.gov/go/7216.
Sunday, October 11 – Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Tour
1001 South Washington Street | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. | Weather permitting | $5
Learn more about Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial’s history and the ongoing preservation efforts of the sacred site with Audrey Davis, Director of African American History, and Francine Bromberg, former City Archaeologist. The cemetery honors more than 1,700 African Americans who died in Alexandria around the time of the Civil War. Efforts of the Friends of Freedmen’s Cemetery, descendants, archaeologists, historians, and the City of Alexandria reclaimed and restored the cemetery as a place of remembrance and reflection. Reserve your ticket at shop.alexandriava.gov/events.
Tuesday, October 13 – Ben Brenman Awards
Alexandria City Council Meeting
Del Pepper Community Resource Center | 4850 Mark Center Drive | 7 p.m. | Free
The Alexandria Archaeological Commission (AAC) presents awards to individuals and groups that have made significant contributions to the archaeology of the city. Learn more about the Alexandria Archaeological Commission at alexandriava.gov/go/1339.
About the Alexandria Archaeology Museum
The Alexandria Archaeology Museum is dedicated to preserving and studying Alexandria’s rich archaeological heritage and fostering within residents and visitors a connection between the past and present while inspiring a sense of stewardship and adventure. Visit the museum and lab on the third floor of the Torpedo Factory Art Center, at 105 N. Union Street in historic Old Town Alexandria.
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.