03/31/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/01/2026 08:52
FEATURED EVENT
GTMS Spring Fling 2026!
Celebrating 250 Years of American Independence
Gadsby's Tavern Museum, 134 N Royal Street
Saturday, April 18
7 - 10 p.m.
$125 per person, sponsorship opportunities available!
Purchase tickets.
Please join Gadsby's Tavern Museum Society (GTMS) for an evening of music, community, and history! This year, the Gadsby's Tavern Museum Society's signature fundraiser coincides with America's 250th anniversary. Join GTMS for a fun evening and help preserve the spirit of the Tavern as we celebrate America's 250th birthday!
Includes swinging music, open bar, appetizers, silent auction, and meet the neighbors. Cocktail attire.
New Exhibition Now Open - Women in Business: We Were Always Here
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.
View the Historic Alexandria Calendar
Trivia Night at Historic Sites-Wrong Answers Only
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Wednesday, April 1
6 - 8 p.m.
$20 per person
Purchase Tickets
Have you ever gone to Trivia and the Trivia questions were so nit picky or hard that you just write whatever pops in your head? In honor of April Fools, join Carlyle House and Lee-Fendall House for their first ever Wrong Answers Only Trivia Night. Special guest judges will give out points for the most creative wrong answers and the team with the most points at the end of the night wins a special prize. Ticket price includes snacks and two mocktail tickets, additional mocktails will be available for purchase.
Registration must be done in advance. Limited capacity so register early! Teams are limited to 6 people. No alcohol is allowed at this program due to space restrictions. Trivia will be held in the Bank of Alexandria Building with check-in at the Carlyle House. Tickets are non-refundable unless the museum cancels the program.
Guest judges are:
Having trouble registering? Please call 703-549-2997 or email [email protected]
Easter Egg Hunt #2
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Saturday, April 4
11a.m. - 4 p.m.
$15 per participating child. Accompanying adults are $5 each and infants under 2 are free.
Purchase Tickets
Celebrate Easter in the Lee-Fendall garden with our popular annual egg hunt! In this family-friendly event, collect Easter eggs all around the Lee-Fendall garden during our popular annual egg hunt! Sessions also include crafts, games, a cupcake walk, special gift shop deals, and a visit from the Easter Bunny.
Sessions are offered on Saturday, April 4th at 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 3:00 PM.
Attendance is limited and reservations MUST be made in advance. Be sure to bring your own basket.
Specialty Tour: Poisons at the Apothecary Museum
The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105-107 S Fairfax Street
Saturdays, April 4, April 11 and April 18
5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
$15 per person, Historic Alexandria Members: $12/person
Reserve tickets.
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 adults.
Historic Happy Hours
Vola's Dockside Grill, 101 North Union Street
Thursday, April 9
5-7:30 p.m.
Join us for Historic Happy Hours to learn more about the research taking place in Historic Alexandria. 10% of all checks will benefit Historic Alexandria and America250 events.
Upcoming Historic Happy Hours:
April 9 - Vola's Dockside Grill, 101 North Union Street
Presentation topic: 1814 :A Tale of Two Cities, Two Men, and One Song
May 14 - O'Connell's Irish Pub, 112 King Street
June 11 - The Wharf, 119 King Street
Grown-Up Field Trip: Archaeology Museum
Hayti: Uncovering an African American Neighborhood at the Alexandria Archaeology Museum
Alexandria Archaeology Museum, 105 N. Union St.
Suite #327
Friday, April 10
6:30 - 8 p.m.
$15 per person, Historic Alexandria Members: $12/person
Purchase tickets.
The Hayti program explores who lived in this early African American neighborhood through the lens of archaeology. This is part of the grown-up field trip series, where adults can explore objects and primary sources, dive into conversations, and learn about history through hands-on activities. All events are based on ones offered to school-age children, but with extra time, so we can go even deeper!
Remember the Pearl Weekend
Freedom House Museum, 1315 Duke Street
Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12
Mention Remember the Pearl for free admission
All weekend, visitors can join in docent-led discussions during regular museum hours about the history of the Pearl and its impact on society.
The Framework for Social Resistance panel will take place on Saturday, April 11, 10-11 a.m. The framework will be explored through the historic lens of the Edmonson sisters and contemporary lens of Mr. Earl Yates, a long-time member of the Social Justice Committee at Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. who has spent his career working with developing nations through the Peace Corps and USAID. Attendees will have time to reflect and apply the framework to their own lives.
Women of Alexandria: Leadership Across Public and Private Life
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S Washington Street
Saturday, April 11
10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
$23.18 (includes a $3.18 service fee)
Purchase tickets
Join us for an engaging panel discussion featuring four accomplished women who live in the City of Alexandria and have excelled in their respective fields. Representing public service, law, business, and cultural leadership, these panelists will share their personal and professional journeys, offering insight into the challenges, opportunities, and milestones that shaped their paths.
From leading a museum and running local businesses to serving as Mayor of Alexandria and practicing law, each speaker brings a unique perspective on leadership, community engagement, and balancing public roles with private lives. Together, they will reflect on what it means to lead in Alexandria, how their work impacts the city, and the lessons they have learned along the way.
Featured Speakers:
Alyia Gaskins
Mayor of Alexandria
Alyia Gaskins is the first African American woman to serve as the Mayor of Alexandria. Serving as Mayor since 2024, she is a tenacious fighter for families, communities, and health equity.
Amy Rutherford
Owner, Penny Post Paper Goods, Red Barn Mercantile & Pippin Toy Co.
A longtime Alexandria entrepreneur, Amy Rutherford has built three successful local businesses while also advocating for small business growth in downtown Old Town.
Karyn Kenny-Dougherty, Esq.
Attorney
An attorney with the New York City law firm, DeMarco Law, Karyn Kenny-Dougherty is an expert in cyber and financial crime and counterterrorism, and has been a consultant for the World Bank, a U.S. Supreme Court Fellow, and a Fulbright Scholar.
Jenny Waters
Museum Manager, Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden
At 26 years old, Jenny Waters leads one of Alexandria's top cultural institutions, with a career dedicated to preservation, education, and community access.
Alexandria Historical Society announces Hayti Walking Tour with Dr. Pam Cressey
The tour will begin at the corner of Wilkes and South Royal Streets, near the Wilkes Street
Saturday, April 11
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Tickets are $25 for non-members and $20 for members.
Online registration is required.
Purchase tickets
The Alexandria Historical Society's Hayti Walking Tour will explore the history of Hayti, one of Old Town Alexandria's most important historic Black neighborhoods, and will be led by Dr. Pam Cressey as part of the Society's 250th Celebration and Behind the Scenes series.
Participants will explore the history of Hayti, a neighborhood established by free Blacks in the early 1800s within the southeastern quadrant of Old Town. The area remained a place where Black families lived, worked, and worshiped well into the twentieth century.
The tour will highlight Hayti's notable people and places, along with the archaeological research that has helped uncover and preserve its history. The neighborhood's name likely reflected the spirit of liberation associated with Haiti, whose revolution inspired free Black communities throughout the Atlantic world in the early nineteenth century.
Street parking is available in the neighborhood. In case of inclement weather, the tour will be rescheduled and registrants will be notified.
The Alexandria Historical Society promotes the history of Alexandria, Virginia, through lectures, tours, publications, and public programs that connect the community with the city's past.
Carlyle House Family Fun Day
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Saturday, April 11
Noon - 3p.m.
Free
Read and craft with your friends on the Carlyle House front lawn for Family Fun Day on the first Saturday of the month from March-November! From 12-3 (unless otherwise noted), you can sit in on story time and participate in crafts and other activities that relate to the theme of the month. April's Family Fun Day will highlight Braddock Day: Colonial Life. 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.
The "Grandest Congress": The French and Indian War in Alexandria
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Saturday, April 11
Noon - 4 p.m.
Free ($5 donation is suggested)
Learn more
Visit Carlyle House on April 11th as they commemorate the French and Indian War. John Carlyle's home was host to General Edward Braddock and five of the Royal Governors in April 1755. Learn about what happened at that meeting and how that affected the future of the 13 colonies. Living historians and hands-on activities will be available for visitors of all ages.
Girl Scout Day: The French and Indian War in Alexandria
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Saturday, April 11
Noon - 4 p.m.
$12 per scout, $6 per tagalong (non-Girl Scout siblings), chaperones free.
Reserve tickets!
Learn about the French and Indian War through visiting Carlyle House during our commemoration of General Braddock's meeting in 1755. Scouts will complete activities that will help them earn a variety of Scout badges including: Daisies: Good Neighbor, Brownies: Celebrating Community, and Juniors: Detectives & Playing the Past.
The program is nonrefundable and will be held rain or shine.
Scouts should plan to be onsite for 1.5-2 hours. They do not have to show up at Noon. The program ends at 4 p.m. so Scout groups must arrive by 3 p.m. to complete all activities.
To register and pay for this special program, scout leaders should call 703-549-2997.
Traditional Music Concert Series
Séan Gavin & Caoimhín Ó Fearghail at the Historic Lyceum
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S Washington Street
Thursday, April 16
7 p.m.
Purchase tickets
Join us for what will be another great evening of traditional Irish music. music. Seán Gavin makes his third visit to our concert series!
Seán Gavin, is one of the most highly regarded Irish musicians of his generation. Master uilleann piper and flute player, he is the first and only musician born outside Ireland to win the prestigious Seán Ó Riada Gold Medal. His latest recording, The Boys of 25, with accordion maestro Colm Gannon "is a superb bit of pure drop music that stands tall on strength of Gavin and Gannon's musicianship.
Caoimhín Ó Fearghail (Kwee-veen) comes from An Rinn in the Waterford Gaeltacht. He received the TG4 Young Musician of the Year award and was chosen as Best Folk Instrumentalist at the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards. His music is greatly influenced by that region as well as diverse players throughout Ireland. With a start on the tin-whistle at the age of eight, he has since mastered uilleann pipes, flute, guitar, and bouzouki, as well as being an accomplished singer and Irish speaker. He has many albums to his credit, and has toured worldwide with Caladh Nua, Danú, and others.
Conversational Tour: Women Were Always Here
Gadsby's Tavern Museum, 134 N Royal Street
Friday, April 17
5 - 6:30 p.m.
$15 per person, Historic Alexandria Members: $12/person
Purchase tickets.
Kick-off the weekend with a conversational tour focused on women's experiences in the past and today led by a member of the team for the new exhibit "Women in Business: We were always here." The tour will highlight the many women over the centuries associated with Gadsby's Tavern Museum and, through their stories, will spark conversations about political, economic, and social conditions for women both past and present. The ticket includes a tour, facilitated conversations, and access to the recently opened exhibit "Women in Business." Option to purchase water, soda, or locally crafted beer or hard cider available upon arrival.
Please note the event includes ascending and descending stairs in the historic tavern. Seating is available throughout.
Alexandria Women's History Walk
221 King Street, in the garden of the Visitor's Center
Saturday, April 18
Noon - 2 p.m.
Free
Click here to RSVP.
Join Alexandria Celebrates Women for a monthly walking tour highlighting Alexandria's heroines of the past. As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, Alexandria Celebrates Women!
Did you know Alexandria was home to one of the most revered female fundraisers of the American Revolution, or that President Woodrow Wilson sent an Alexandria woman on a mission aboard a U.S. battleship?
If you have wondered how women helped put our city on the map, now is your chance to learn about them.
Alexandria Celebrates Women (ACW) will continue its contribution to America's 250th anniversary by leading a series of Women's History Walks on the third Saturday of the month throughout 2026!
Join ACW Vice President Gayle Converse on a three-mile trek through the city, while making brief outdoor stops at historic sites associated with women to discuss Alexandria's heroines of the past and the history of each site. Participants are welcome to join all or any portion of the Walk.
Carlyle House Historical Fiction Book Club
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Saturday, April 18
1-2 p.m.
Free
Learn More!
Do you love reading historic fiction? Join the Carlyle House staff quarterly for our free historical fiction book club. All books will be focused on 18th Century America and can be found at your local library or bookstore.
Our 2026 Books will be:
April 18th: A Girl Called Samson by Amy Harmon
July 18th: Agent 355 by Marie Benedict & 355: The Women of Washington's Spy Ring by Kit Sergeant
October 17th: The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
The program is free, donations are welcome. Space is limited so we just ask that you call 703-549-2997 or email [email protected] to register.
Lantern Tours
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Saturday, April 18
6 - 8 p.m.
$17.85 (includes a $2.85 fee)
Purchase Tickets
Take a tour of the historic Lee-Fendall House at night! A quieter, cozier experience in Old Town Alexandria, this tour covers the history of the house and those who lived here from 1785 to 1972. You will be led through the first and second floors by prominent historic Alexandrian, E.E. Downham. Learn our history through the man who was Mayor of Alexandria from 1887 through 1891!
The lantern tours are recommended for ages 12+. Each tour time is limited to 12 people.
Carlyle House: Self Guided Sundays
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Sunday, April 19
Noon - 3 p.m.
$5 per person (children 5 and under are free)
Learn More!
On the third Sunday of every month, explore the first floor of Carlyle House at your own pace. Docents will be available throughout the house if you have questions. Tickets can only be purchased the day of in the museum shop.
Beyond the Battlefield: A Civil War Walking Tour of Alexandria
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Saturday, April 25
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.
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 [email protected].
Discovering Alexandria Architecture Walking Tour
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Saturday, April 25
10 a.m.
$20 per person
Purchase Tickets
Alexandria has grown from a small town in the 18th century to a bustling small city in the 21st century. Join us for a tour of Alexandria as we explore looking at the various Architecture styles that adorn the city streets and make it one of the best places to live and work.
Reservations are required as space is limited. Please wear comfortable shoes for this 1.5 hour guided tour. The tour is held rain or shine unless there is severe weather.
Having trouble registering? Please call 703-549-2997 or email [email protected]
Shall Not Be Denied: Alexandria Women and the Fight for the Ballot
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Saturday, April 25
2 p.m.
$17.85 (includes a $2.85 fee)
Purchase Tickets
This lecture examines Alexandria women's contributions to the suffrage movement through biographical profiles, local activism, and the history of key organizations. The talk will explore the lives and work of Alexandria women who organized, advocated, and mobilized for the vote, with particular attention to the Equal Suffrage League of Virginia and the Virginia League of Women Voters. By situating individual stories within broader local, state, and national efforts, this lecture reveals how Alexandria women helped shape the strategies and successes of the suffrage movement.
Building on the Shall Not Be Denied exhibition currently on display at the Lee-Fendall House Museum through May 31st, this lecture expands on the themes introduced in the gallery. While the exhibition offers an overview of Alexandria women's suffrage work, this lecture provides a deeper exploration of the people, organizations, and historical context behind the movement, drawing on additional research, archival materials, and personal narratives not fully explored in the exhibit.
Yoga on the Magnolia Terrace
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
April 25th - October 22nd
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 Yoga Class on Carlyle House's Magnolia Terrace. A gentle flow yoga class. We will build heat with sun salutations then progress to balance, deep stretching and finally relaxation. Please bring water, a towel, and a yoga mat. Wear comfortable yoga wear.
Starting on April 25th, classes will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6pm and Saturdays at 9am and 10:15am. 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.
Having trouble registering? Please call 703-549-2997 or email [email protected]
Tickets are $10/class and go on sale April 1st.
American Revolution Bingo
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street
Saturday, April 25
6-7:30 p.m.
$12 per person
Purchase Tickets
Join us for a fun evening of Bingo a la American Revolution theme! Not only will we have bingo themes based on historic figures but there will be rounds on the American Revolution in Pop Culture. Prizes will be given out to each round's winner. Ticket price includes 1 mocktail and small bites. Additional mocktails may be purchased onsite. Tickets are non-refundable unless the program is cancelled by the museum.
Having trouble registering? Please call 703-549-2997 or email [email protected]
Specialty Tour: A Magical Apothecary
The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105-107 S Fairfax Street
Sunday, April 26
11 a.m. - Noon
$15 per person, Historic Alexandria Members: $12/person
Reserve tickets.
Learn about the muggle botanical science that inspired the potions 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.
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.
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.
Plan your Visit
Alexandria Archaeology Museum
Closed Sunday, April 5
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
Next open on Saturday, April 4, 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: "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.
New 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.
On March 30 and 31, 1841, former President John Quincy Adams visited Edmund Jennings Lee at his home at 614 Oronoco Street. Adams had dinner and breakfast at Lee's home, today known as the Lee-Fendall House.
Commissions Supporting Historic Alexandria
April 2 Alexandria Caen Sister Cities Committee (ACSCC) - Subcommittee
Zoom meeting
7-9 p.m.
April 7 Public Records Advisory Commission
Archives and Records Center, 801 South Payne Street
7:30 p.m.
April 8 Alexandria Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission (AHRPC)
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
8 a.m.
April 13 Alexandria Caen Sister Cities Committee (ACSCC)
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
7-9 p.m.
April 15 Alexandria Archaeological Commission
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
7-9 p.m.
April 20 George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee (GWBCC)
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
7-8:30 p.m.
April 21 Historic Alexandria Resources Commission
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
7-9 p.m.