This Week in Historic Alexandria - June 2, 2025

june 2-8, 2025

What's New

FEATURED EVENT

Proud History Hangout
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 South Washington Street
Thursday, June 12
5:30- 7:30 p.m.
Free

Pop in, take a moment, and meet new friends at the LGBTQIA+ History Hangout at the Alexandria History Museum. Learn about our Oral History division and share your story, talk to the Alexandria LGBTQ+ Task Force, learn about LGBTQ+ history, and make a fun shrinky-dink to take home. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase. Ages 16 and up.

Tavern Games Night
Gadsby's Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal Street
Friday, June 20
7 p.m.
$10
Tickets can be purchased online.

Join us for a Pride edition of Tavern Ga(y)mes Night! Learn about 18th century clothing and gender performance, participate in Drag Trivia, play games, and enjoy snacks and beverages from the cash bar! Brief presentation and jeopardy start around 7:30 p.m.

New Website

Did you know that Alexandria was the first locality in Virginia to extend protections to gays and lesbians through its human rights ordinance? Learn more on the new Historic Alexandria LGBTQ+ History webpage. This new site will expand online storytelling and share the contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals and businesses in Alexandria.

Visit us at the Pride Festival

Historic Alexandria will be participating in Alexandria's 8th Annual Pride Fair on Saturday, June 28, from 3-6 p.m. (301 King Street). Come visit our booth for Alexandria history! For more information on the City of Alexandria's Pride Month activities, visit alexandriava.gov/LGBTQ.

Upcoming Events

View the Historic Alexandria Calendar

D-Day Lecture: Eisenhower's Top Secrets from D-Day to V-E Day
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 South Washington Street
Thursday, June 5
7- 9 p.m.
$15 per person/$12 for Historic Alexandria Member
Tickets can be purchased online.

Titled "Eisenhower's Top Secrets from D-Day to V-E Day," the talk will offer expert insights into the strategic, historical, and human dimensions of D-Day. Learn about 'T Force' and how it operated in the shadows under the personal direction of Eisenhower through the end of the war.

City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums Summer Concert on Market Square
Market Square, 301 King Street
Thursday, June 5
7:45- 8:30 p.m.
Free

Celebrate Alexandria's Scottish heritage with the City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums at a free summer concert series. Enjoy performances featuring bagpipes and drums on Thursdays, June 5, July 10, and August 7.

Specialty Tour: Hamilton's BFF & Frenemies
Gadsby's Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal Street
Saturday, June 7 (every Saturday in June + July)
10 -11 a.m.
$15 per person/$12 for Historic Alexandria Member
Tickets can be purchased online.

Inspired by the musical Hamilton, learn how the paths of Washington, Lafayette, Jefferson, Madison, and Burr all intersected with this local tavern. Includes discussion of the issues they faced and how their choices impacted local citizens. Please note the tour involves ascending and descending stairs. Arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to tour time to check in. Tickets often sell out, so buy online to reserve your space!

Hooff's Run Dedication Day
African American Heritage Park, 500 Holland Lane
Saturday, June 7
10 a.m. - Noon
Free
More information and Event Schedule.

Join Historic Alexandria and AlexRenew for a tour of the restored African American Heritage Park, unveiling new wayfinding signage and a legacy grove that shares insight into Alexandria's rich African American history. Learn about the area's historical significance and celebrate this major milestone for our community and its waterways. The event is family and pet friendly.

Carlyle House Family Fun Day - Best Friends Bash
Carlyle House, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Saturday, June 7 (First Saturday of the month from April - November)
Noon -3 p.m.
Free
More information online.

Come join your friends on the Carlyle House Magnolia Terrace for Family Fun Day on the first Saturday of the month from April - November! From noon - 3 p.m., 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. There is no fee to join this program, but donations are encouraged.

Outlandish Tour at the Apothecary Museum
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105-107 South Fairfax Street
Sunday, June 8
11 a.m. - Noon
$15 per person/$12 for Historic Alexandria Member
Purchase tickets.

Tour the historic apothecary and learn about a few of the herbal medicines featured in Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series of novels from cascara to dauco seeds. The tour also touches on the role of apothecaries and women in medicine in the 18th century. Recommended for ages 18 and up. Please arrive between 10:45-11:00 a.m. as the museum is not open to the public until 1 p.m. and the doors will be locked when the tour begins. Please note the tour involves ascending and descending stairs.

Trivia Nights at Historic Sites: U.S. States
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Friday, June 13
7-9 p.m.
$12
Purchase tickets.

Staff members at Lee-Fendall House Museum and Carlyle House Historic Park have combined their random nerd knowledge to create bi-weekly trivia nights in the beautiful gardens located at Lee-Fendall House. Join us all summer to test your knowledge on all things from pop culture to history! The theme of our June 13th trivia night will be U.S. States. Museum staff co-created tonight's trivia with Wayne Kehoe, Volunteer Coordinator at the United States Capitol. Trivia nights are $12 a person which includes 1 drink ticket. Additional drinks can be bought at our cash bar. Teams may have up to 6 members. Registration slots are first come, first served, so we recommend paying ahead of time to save your spot. Trivia nights will start on June 13 and take place every other Friday at 7pm from June-August (June 13 & 27, July 11 & 25, August 8 & 22). Ages 21 and over only. For more information on how to register call 703-548-1789 or visit https://www.leefendallhouse.org. No outside alcohol is permitted. Food and water may be brought into the garden.

Storytime for Little Historians
Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street
Saturday, June 14
10- 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. Held Second Saturdays monthly.

Beyond the Battlefield: A Civil War Walking Tour of Alexandria
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Saturday, June 14
10 - 11:30 a.m.
$15 to the general public and free for museum members.
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.

8th Green Machine Regiment Band Concert
Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site, 4301 West Braddock Road
Saturday, June 14
11 a.m.- Noon
Suggested donation: $2/$5 Family

Join us at Fort Ward for a special outdoor concert of Civil War-era music by the 8th Green Machine (GM) Regiment Band at 11 a.m. on the Museum lawn. This historical brass ensemble from George Mason University presents music of the 19th century on authentic period instruments. Event is weather dependent. Sponsored by the Friends of Fort Ward.

Civil War Hospital Tour
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Saturday, June 14
2- 3 p.m.
$15 to the general public and 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. Tickets are $15 to the general public and free for museum members. 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.

Gadsby's Tavern Museum Society Spring Fling
Gadsby's Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal Street
Saturday, June 14
7- 10 p.m.
$125 per person, with sponsorship opportunities available.
Tickets can be purchased online.

Join us for a night of good food and music with a silent auction to benefit the Gadsby's Tavern Museum Society Endowment Fund. Tickets are $125, with sponsorship opportunities available. Tickets can be purchased at gadsbystavernmuseum.us

Specialty Tour: Poisons at the Apothecary Museum
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105-107 South Fairfax Street
Sunday, June 15
11 a.m. - Noon
$15 per person/$12 for Historic Alexandria Member
Purchase tickets.

Come explore the sinister side of medicine on the Apothecary Museum's Poisons Tour. This one-hour tour explores several different types of poisons, their historic uses at the Apothecary, and what we know today. Recommended for ages 18 and up. Please arrive between 10:45 - 11 a.m. as the museum is not open to the public until 1p.m. and the doors will be locked when the tour begins at 11 a.m. Please note the tour involves ascending/descending one flights of stairs.

Family Day with Young Historians
Gadsby's Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal Street
Sunday, June 15
2- 5 p.m.
Included in regular museum admission.

Jr. Docents provide stationed tours throughout the two tavern buildings and operate special, hands-on activity stations about period clothing and chocolate making. Every Sunday June 15 through Labor Day weekend, 2-5 p.m.

Juneteenth Concert
Market Square, 301 King Street
Thursday, June 19
1-3 p.m.
Free

Experience the power of traditional African American storytelling and song with the acclaimed Washington Revels Jubilee Voices. This free outdoor concert honors the journey toward freedom and celebrates the spirit of Juneteenth through moving performances rooted in history and hope. Event is weather dependent.

Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen at the Historic Lyceum
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 South Washington Street
Friday, June 20
7:30 p.m.
$30 /$15 Ages 12-17
Tickets can be purchased online.

Multi-Grammy nominated Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen is a torrent of mind-blowing bluegrass. Known for their meaty pile-driving rhythms and Frank's dynamic and bold vocals, the band's last two albums have both received a Grammy nomination for Best Bluegrass Album. Their massive sound and show stealing performances command the most prestigious stages in the country and abroad; from The Grand Ole Opry to the biggest international festivals across Europe, South American and Australia. The band has performed at the biggest bluegrass festivals including Telluride, MerleFest, Grey Fox, RockyGrass, Delfest, Strawberry Music Festival, Pickin' in the Pines, ROMP, and countless more.

Juneteenth Festival
Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe St.)
Saturday, June 21
Noon-6 p.m.
Free

Celebrate Juneteenth at this vibrant community festival featuring music, food, art, education, and cultural expression. This annual event, hosted in partnership with the City's Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities (RPCA), Momentum Collective Inc., and the Alexandria NAACP, honors the richness of African American heritage through dynamic performances and engaging activities for all ages.

Specialty Tour: A Magical Apothecary
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105-107 South Fairfax Street
Sunday, June 22
11 a.m. - Noon
$15 per person/$12 for Historic Alexandria Member
Purchase tickets.

Learn about the muggle botanical science that inspired the potion and herbology of Harry Potter's wizarding world on a tour of this 19th century apothecary, and make your own magical potion! Recommended for ages 8 and up. Children must be accompanied by a ticket-holding adult.

Music of the Regiment Concert
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 South Washington Street
Monday, June 23
7- 9 p.m.
$20
Tickets can be purchased online.

Join Music of the Regiment, a period-instrument wind band for a concert of late 18th and early 19th-century military music. In 1798, an advertisement under the heading MARTIAL MUSIC petitioned the citizens of Alexandria to organize a wind band "for the accommodation and embellishment" of the city's nine militia companies. The advertisement called for the establishment of a band of music to be funded by the militia and to be comprised of four clarinets, two horns, and two bassoons. This band, known as the Alexandria Band, was one of several "martial" ensembles that were active in Alexandria and, more broadly, Washington City during the early Federal Period (1790-1830). Learn about the interconnectivity of the Alexandria Band, the Marine Band, and the "Italian" Marine Band ensembles that defined the musical soundscape of the nascent capital.

Yoga on the Magnolia Terrace-Happy Hour
Carlyle's Magnolia Terrace, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Last Thursday of the month through September (June 26th, July 31st, Aug 28th, & Sept 25th)
6 - 7:30 pm
$20
Purchase tickets.

Join our yoga instructor for an hour-long Yoga class on Carlyle's Magnolia Terrace. Afterwards, enjoy a mocktail with yoga participants and staff. Mocktails will change based on the month and will be announced on our social media! Yoga Happy Hours are a fundraiser for new exhibit cases in the museum and sponsored by the Friends of Carlyle House.

Please bring water, a towel, and a yoga mat. Wear comfortable yoga wear. Please note that the terrace is bricked so please bring a thicker mat or double up with an extra mat or towel. Class may be canceled due to inclement weather, you will receive an email if class is canceled.

Fashion History: Within the Walls of the Lee-Fendall House
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Saturday, June 28
2-3 p.m.
$10 general public/Free for members
Purchase tickets.

Back by popular demand, the Lee-Fendall House will be holding a fashion history lecture given by Emma Rowland. The presentation will cover fashion history using the Lee-Fendall House's history as touch points. Emma is an accomplished seamstress and will be displaying her historic costumes that she has made throughout the House as well as displaying her collection of antique clothing and accessories. Emma Rowland is passionate about history and her grandmother taught her how to sew when she was eight. Her grandmother left Emma her collection of antique dresses when she passed and Emma quickly fell in love with the history of fashion. She has expanded on the collection over the years and also works as a tour guide in Old Town Alexandria for Alexandria Colonial Tours, where she gives tours dressed in her Colonial-era costumes she makes herself. Members please call at (703) 548-1789 to reserve your tickets. It is highly recommended to book tickets in advance as space is limited.

From Battlefield to Bedside: Alexandria's Civil War Medical History Exhibition
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
On display at Lee-Fendall through Sunday, August 31
Admission into the exhibit is included with general admission.

Lee-Fendall's newest exhibit, From Battlefield to Bedside focuses on Alexandria's pivotal role in the medical history of the Civil War, highlighting its transformation from a Southern port town to a strategic military hub to an epicenter of care for both Union and Confederate soldiers. Through a compelling collection of visual imagery, maps, and artifacts, this exhibit invites you to reflect on the resilience of those who provided care amidst the devastation of war, the legacy of Alexandria's medical contributions, and the experiences of those confined to the city's hospital beds.

Support Historic Alexandria

Historic Alexandria receives City operational funding to support its mission; however, these resources do not cover the full scope of the department's strategic goals and projects. Donations, special revenue, and grant funding help supplement staff, conservation work, and educational programs. Please consider making a gift today.

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 to allow for the completion of the front façade restoration and installation of new entry doors. 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, June 14, 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-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.
NEW: Apothecary Night Shift-Every Saturday in June and July the museum is open 11 a.m.--7 p.m.

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 June 5, 1922, groundbreaking for the George Washington Masonic Memorial at Shuter's Hill took place. Memorial association president Louis A. Watres and Charles H. Callahan, Past Master of Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22, turned the first dirt.

Upcoming Commission and Committee Events

Commissions Supporting Historic Alexandria

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

• June 11 Alexandria Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  8-9:15 a.m.

• June 11 Alexandria Community Remembrance Project Steering Committee
  Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street
  5:30 p.m.

• June 16 George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee (GWBCC)
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  7 p.m.

• June 16 Sister Cities Committee (SCC) - Dundee and Helsingborg
  City Hall, 301 King Street, Sister Cities Room 1101
  7-9 p.m.

• June 16 Public Records Advisory Commission (PRAC)
  Archives and Records Center, 801 S. Payne Street
  7:30 p.m.

• June 17 Historic Alexandria Resources Commission (HARC)
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  7 p.m.

• June 18 Alexandria Archaeological Commission (AAC)
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  7 p.m.