This Week in Historic Alexandria - June 1, 2026

june 1-7, 2026

What's New

FEATURED EVENT

Pride Month is a time to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community and the many ways it enriches Alexandria's civic and cultural life. We uplift LGBTQIA+ voices across our workforce, neighborhoods, and institutions. Alexandria is a city where everyone is welcome. Join us this Pride Month for events, programs, and experiences that celebrate the full diversity of our community and learn more about Alexandria's LGBTQIA+ history online.

9th Annual Alexandria Pride Festival
John Carlyle Square Park
Saturday, June 27
2-6 p.m.
Free

The Alexandria LGBTQIA+ Task Force invites you to the 9th Annual Alexandria Pride Fair! Enjoy live music, DJ, LGBTQ+ story time, 100 exhibitors, food trucks, health services, mobile art lab, dancing, the annual reading of the Pride Proclamation by City Council members, and more! All ages welcome!

For more information, visit the Task Force's homepage.

Tavern Games Night: Annual Pride Month Edition
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 134 N. Royal Street
Friday, June 5
7- 9 p.m.
Admission is $10 per person
Purchase Tickets

Join us for our Game Night series. Each Friday evening features tavern games, with a brief themed presentation and pub trivia around 7:30 p.m. Cash bar available during the event. Please note this event takes place up one flight of stairs in the historic Ballroom of Gadsby's Tavern Museum.

This Pride Month, enjoy tavern games and learn about The Public Universal Friend, an individual who went against societal norms. Pub trivia features LGBTQIA+ history. Cash bar includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic options.

City of Alexandria to Host Sails on the Potomac and ALX Jazz Fest, June 12-14

Sails on the Potomac is a free community event from June 12 to 14. You can view and tour historic tall ships, including the Gazela, Kalmar Nyckel, Providence, and Sultana. Join us for family activities, art, and history as we recognize Alexandria's role in the birth of our nation.

Ship Tours and Tickets

You can tour the ships for free while they are docked in Alexandria. Everyone, (including children) needs a free timed ticket. Reserve your tickets online in advance at alexandriava.gov/Sails250.

A walk-up line will be available, but entry is not guaranteed without a ticket.

Experience ALX Jazz Fest During Sails on the Potomac

As part of Sails on the Potomac, the annual ALX Jazz Fest will celebrate its 48th year! Three days of music kicks off on Friday, June 12 at noon. Admission to the Festival is free!

Celebrate three days of live music at the Alexandria Waterfront as the ALX Jazz Fest expands for its 48th year as part of Sails on the Potomac.

250th History Village and Outpost

The 250th History Village and Outpost is an outdoor exhibit filled with learning experiences for all ages. The featured Historic Alexandria chocolate booth is supported by American Heritage Chocolate. Visitors can engage in educational activities, have historic conversations with local organizations from across the region, and view pop-up exhibits. Official Sails on the Potomac merchandise will be on sale at the 250th village.

On-ship Evening Receptions

Each evening of the festival, visitors will have the opportunity to purchase tickets for a special reception on the Kalmar Nyckel. These exclusive events give after-hours access to the ships, opportunities to meet the captain, and enjoy an evening overlooking the water. Purchase Tickets.

Fireworks at Alexandria Waterfront, Saturday at 9 p.m.!

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.

Lecture: Operations Tiger and Neptune - D-Day at Sea
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 South Washington Street
Thursday, June 4
7 p.m.
Admission is $15 per person and $10 for Historic Alexandria members.
Purchase Tickets

The lecture, "Operation Tiger and Neptune - D-Day at Sea" by Rear Admiral Samuel Cox, US Navy (Ret.) and Director of the Naval History and Heritage Command, will explore the strategic, historical, and human dimensions of D-Day and the Allied campaign in Normandy. A brief reception with refreshments will follow the lecture. Sponsored by the Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee.

Wooden Hulls & Rag-Tag Fleets: From the Continental to the U.S. Navy
The Athenaeum, 201 Prince Street, Old Town Alexandria
Friday, June 5
7 p.m.
Free (Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and light refreshments will be available)

The Alexandria Historical Society and The Athenaeum will present "Wooden Hulls & Rag-Tag Fleets: From the Continental to the U.S. Navy," a free panel
discussion, on Friday, June 5, 2026, at 7 p.m. Presented as a joint salute to the upcoming Sails on the Potomac festivities, this special Friday evening program will offer an engaging overview of the early days of the United States Navy and its predecessor, the Continental Navy.

The panel will feature Dr. Thomas Sheppard, author of Commanding Petty Despots, who will discuss the creation of the Continental Navy, its officer corps, and the accomplishments and struggles of the American Revolutionary War at sea. The program will also include Mr. Chris Martin of the Ships, Stations and Squadrons Histories Branch of the Naval History & Heritage Command, who will describe what some of the early Navy ships were like and how they
contributed to the nation's emerging naval identity.

In addition to the panel discussion, attendees will hear about Alexandria's own Tall Ship Providence, a reproduction of the first ship of the Continental Navy, as well as the following week's Sails on the Potomac celebration, part of Sail 250. The evening will conclude with an informal question-and-answer session on all things related to the early Navy.

Lecture & Book Signing: The Black Belt of Virginia
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 134 N. Royal Street
Saturday, June 6
11 a.m. - Noon
Free
Reserve Your Free Tickets

Join author Jeff Bennett as he lectures on his new book "The Black Belt of Virginia." Learn about the unique and often-overlooked history and contributions of Black people in the Commonwealth. Book signing to follow.

Carlyle House Family Fun Day: Book Bonanza
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Saturday, June 6
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 related to the month's theme. 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.

Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex Walking Tour
1475 Wilkes Street
Saturday, June 6
1-2 p.m.
$15/person
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.

Together, its thirteen historic cemeteries hold more than 35,000 stories spanning generations of Alexandrians and the events that shaped the nation.

A World War II Walking Tour of Alexandria
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Sunday, June 7
10:30 a.m.
$15/person
Purchase Tickets

Alexandria was a bustling town during the Second World War filled with servicemen and women and civilians contributing to the war effort. On this two-mile walk around Old Town, visit sites where history took place and buildings where notable Alexandrians, including a Tuskegee Airman and a member of the 101st Airborne, lived before serving their country. In addition, learn of the top-secret intelligence facility known as P.O. Box 1142.

Historic Happy Hours
The Wharf, 119 King Street
Thursday, June 11
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.

Also coming this summer is the Apothecary Museum's Specialty Tour: Poisons at the Apothecary, offered June 21, July 5, and July 12 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Explore the sinister side of medicine during this one-hour guided tour examining historic poisons, their uses at the Apothecary, and what modern science tells us today. Recommended for adults. Please arrive a few minutes early to check in. Tickets are $15 per person and $12 for Historic Alexandria members. Advance purchase is recommended, as space is limited for this specialty tour.

Historic Alexandria is encouraging residents and businesses to show their local 250th spirit by adorning their gardens with Alexandria's very own America250 garden flag and joining the citywide Plant for America250 initiative.

Only a few garden flags are left! Purchase Alexandria's America250 garden flag at the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street.

The Plant for America250 initiative, promoted by the City of Alexandria and the Alexandria Beautification Commission, encourages residents and businesses to plant native species in patriotic colors as a way to honor America's milestone anniversary while supporting a more resilient and sustainable future.

Learn more about Plant for America250.

2026 History Leadership Institute Seminar Fellows

AASLH is pleased to announce the 19 history professionals selected as Fellows for the 2026 History Leadership Institute Seminar includes our own Artura Jackson, Assistant Director of the African American History Division with the Office of Historic Alexandria! Throughout the program, Fellows will explore major issues facing history organizations today, build relationships with peers from across the field, and develop the skills, perspective, and confidence needed to lead in a rapidly changing environment.

For more than six decades, the History Leadership Institute has helped strengthen the leadership capacity of the history field by bringing together practitioners from museums, historical societies, historic sites, and related organizations across the country. The 2026 HLI Seminar Fellows represent a wide range of institutions, communities, roles, and experiences-but they share a common commitment to thoughtful, human-centered leadership.

This year's cohort will gather for an intensive two-week seminar led by HLI Seminar director Andrea Jones and hosted by the Minnesota Historical Society. Fellows will also participate in virtual sessions before and after the seminar to deepen the experience. Throughout the program, Fellows will explore major issues facing history organizations today, build relationships with peers from across the field, and develop the skills, perspective, and confidence needed to lead in a rapidly changing environment.

Learn more about the History Leadership Institute Seminar and other HLI offerings here.

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, June 13, 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. - 7 p.m.*; Sundays & Mondays 1 - 5 p.m.

*Extended Saturday hours at the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum every Saturday in June and July, giving visitors additional time to explore one of Alexandria's most unique historic sites.

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: Civil War Music - Now open

Fort Ward Museum (4301 W Braddock Rd.) in Alexandria opened a new exhibit, "Buglers & Brass Bands: Soldier Musicians in the Civil War" on May 16, 2026. The exhibit explores the essential role that music played in the daily life of the Civil War soldier, both in camp and on the battlefield. The exhibit features a variety of musical instruments and sheet music of the period from the Museum's extensive Civil War collection. The exhibit will be on view through May 2027.

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 [email protected] or call 703.746.4554, Virginia Relay 711.

This Week in Alexandria's History

More from This Day in History

On June 4, 1870, the Friendship Firehouse on South Alfred Street (built 1855) was reported to be in structurally unsound condition, requiring the removal of all fire equipment stored in the building. Although the building had only been constructed fifteen years earlier, the massive steeple that then topped the building was often battered by high winds, twisting the small structure below and allowing rain water to penetrate the roof and framing. This issue, coupled with deferred maintenance during the Civil War period, required that the tall steeple be replaced by a lower cupola instead. Although the new cupola was an improvement, twisting and weather infiltration continued to plague the building for decades and was only rectified when the cupola was restored and strengthened by the City of Alexandria in 2010.

Upcoming Commission and Committee Events

Commissions Supporting Historic Alexandria

• June 2 Public Records Advisory Commission (PRAC)
  Archives and Records Center, 801 S. Payne Street
  7:30 p.m.

• June 8 Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee (ACSCC)
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  7 p.m.

• June 9 Committee of Inquiry
  Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street
  7 p.m.

• June 10 Alexandria Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission (AHRPC)
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  8-9:30 a.m.

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

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

• June 22 George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee (GWBCC)
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  7-8:30 p.m.

• June 27 Alexandria Archaeological Commission (AAC)
  Freedom House Museum, 1315 Duke Street
  6:30 p.m.