This Week in Historic Alexandria - November 18, 2024

november 18-24, 2024

What's New

Alexandria Cider Festival

Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
Saturday, November 23
1 - 5 p.m.
Pre-Sale tickets $55 November 1-22, and $25 for designated drivers. Online sales end at 5 p.m. on Friday, November 22. After that, tickets can be purchased at the door for $65. Minimum Age: 21
Purchase tickets.

Celebrate Virginia Cider Week with a special tasting event on the grounds of historic Lloyd House in Old Town Alexandria. Event ticket includes cider tastings, a souvenir glass, live music, tavern games, access to a food truck, and a little history too! Online sales end at 5 p.m. on Saturday, November 22. After that, tickets can be purchased at the door for $65. Dress for the weather - the event is outdoors! Festival will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. Proceeds from the Cider Festival will benefit the Historic Alexandria Museums.

A Musical Celebration of Lafayette

Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street
Sunday, November 24
3 p.m.
$20
Purchase tickets.

In 1824, American Revolutionary War hero Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette visited the United States of America for a Grand Tour of all 24 states. For 13 months, Americans across the country celebrated Lafayette with ceremonies, balls, dignitary visits, parades, and concerts. The sounds of military wind bands greeted the Hero of Two Worlds nearly everywhere he went. On November 24, 2024, the period-instrument wind band Music of the Regiment will commemorate the 200th anniversary of Lafayette's visit to Alexandria with a concert. The program, featuring works by Francis Johnson, anonymous women composing under the alias "A Lady…", and others, will transport audiences to the sound world of Lafayette's Grand Tour with grand marches, dance tunes, and America's earliest patriotic airs performed on the instruments of Lafayette's time. www.musicoftheregiment.com

Upcoming Events

View the Historic Alexandria Calendar

Meaningful Conversations: African-American History
Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street
Thursday, November 21
7 - 9 p.m.
Free

Join us for the new series of Meaningful Conversations that highlight local non-profits working for racial and social justice in our community. On Nov 21, the program will focus on Protecting African American History. Those who come will hear from the Director of Gum Springs Museum Ronald L. Chase, who will talk about his organization and the oldest African American community in Fairfax. Joining him will be Dr. Darnella McGuire-Nelson, a lifelong Alexandrian working with the Social Responsibility Group to restore Douglass Memorial Cemetery, an African American cemetery off of Duke Street.

Bienvenue Beaujolais
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
Thursday, November 21
7 p.m.
$70
Purchase tickets.

Join us for an evening of indulgence as we tour the diverse and delicious regions of France. The Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee has curated a special food and wine-tasting experience that will delight your taste buds and transport you to the heart of France. We will enjoy the anticipated 2024 Beaujolais Nouveau and then explore beyond the Beaujolais region to showcase some of the finest French wines. To complement the wines, we will feature French cuisine, taking a tour through the flavors of France, featuring charcuterie, cheeses, and other delicacies. You will also receive a signature wine-tasting glass. For guests 21 and over.

Family Holiday Magic Show
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street
Wednesday, December 4
7 p.m.
Free, but encouraged to bring unwrapped toys to donate to the Fund for Alexandria's Child Holiday Sharing Program.
Pre-register.

Join us at the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum for a free holiday magic show, performed by professional magicians who are members of Ring 50, the DC-area chapter of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. Magic is a part of The Lyceum's history and 19th-century magicians like Signor Blitz and Wyman the Wizard performed there in the 1840s. This modern family-friendly show will be geared toward children ages 5 to 12, but all are welcome. The show is free, but please bring new, unwrapped toys to donate to the Fund for Alexandria's Child Holiday Sharing Program, which benefits kids who might otherwise go without holiday gifts this year. For more information, email [email protected]. Space is limited so please reserve a space at Alexandriava.gov/Shop.

Ship Biscuit Ornaments
Alexandria Archaeology Museum, 105 N. Union Street
Saturday, December 7
2-5 p.m.
Free

A nearly complete ship's biscuit from the 18th century was found in Alexandria. Make your own ship's biscuit ornament to commemorate the discovery and the city's waterfront history! Each biscuit ornament will be stamped with the year and then baked at home to track its preservation. Free, no registration required.

Gingerbread Decorating
Gadsby's Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal Street
Sunday, December 8
1-6 p.m.
$25
Purchase tickets.

Learn about local architecture as you decorate a flat ""façade"" (front) based on historic buildings around Gadsby's Tavern Museum. Ticket includes one flat gingerbread "façade," all the supplies needed to decorate, and admission to the museum. Inspiring samples highlight architectural details you can recreate in candy and search for in the neighborhoods on your way home. Event ideal for families or adult groups; up to four people welcome per ticket. Hot cider available for purchase during the event (spiked optional). $25 per decorating set for up to four people.

Becky Tracy and Keith Murphy in Concert at Historic Lyceum
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street
Thursday, December 12
7 p.m.
$25, $10 under 18
Purchase tickets.

Becky Tracy (fiddle) and Keith Murphy (guitar, mandolin, piano and foot percussion) Becky and Keith are dynamic performers of traditional music from Newfoundland, Quebec, Ireland, France and beyond. Tracy's fiddling pulses through tasteful arrangements of dance tunes and resonates with beauty on traditional slow airs. Keith's gentle and expressive singing in English and French is balanced by the drive and power of his guitar playing and foot percussion. Combined, they produce a range and richness of sound that is striking for a duo. Their playing is seamless, the result of years of playing together and touring across the U.S., Canada and in Europe. Their repertoire also includes Keith's original compositions (many of which are included in the Black Isle Music tune collection). He is a prolific tunesmith with a writing style strongly based on traditional dance music. This music is elegantly represented in their duo recording, Golden, released in early 2020.

Story Time followed by a Kwanzaa Workshop!
Gather around for an engaging story celebrating African American heritage and values, then stay to learn about the principles of Kwanzaa.

Story Time for Little Historians
Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street
Saturday, December 14
10 a.m.- 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.

Kwanzaa Workshop
Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street
Saturday, December 14
11 a.m.- 12 p.m.
$3 per person

Learn about the origins, concepts, practices, and foods of Kwanzaa! Members of the staff will share the historical foundation of Kwanzaa and its seven principles. Program includes a candle lighting, a food tasting, and information on craft projects will be shared.

Christmas in Camp
Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site, 4301 W. Braddock Rd.
Saturday, December 14
12 p.m.- 4 p.m.
Free

Get in the holiday spirit and learn how Christmas was observed during the Civil War at this popular family-oriented event. Enjoy a patriotic Civil War Santa Claus, reenactors in winter camp settings, period decorations, fort tours, and kids' activities.

Specialty Tour: A Toast to the Ladies!
Gadsby's Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal Street
Saturday, December 14 and Saturday, December 21
5:30 p.m.
$20, $15 Historic Alexandria Members
Purchase tickets.

This special tour and discussion will highlight the many women over the centuries associated with Gadsby's Tavern Museum. From Hannah Griffith, the first woman to operate a coffeehouse in the tavern, to the spearheading preservationist Rebecca Ramsay Reese, these women's stories will spark conversations about political, economic, and social conditions for women in the past and the present. Ticket includes tea, which can be carried throughout the tour and discussion.

Colonial Handbell Ringers Concert
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street
Sunday, December 15
2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Free, donations welcome

The Colonial Ringers Present: Repeat the Sounding Joy! The Colonial English Handbell Ringers will bring some joy to your world this year as we proudly present "Repeat the Sounding Joy!" The 2024 holiday concert will feature fun, uplifting classics such as "Caroling, Caroling" and "Jingle Bells," beautiful arrangements of "The Little Drummer Boy," "Simple Gifts" and "In the Bleak Midwinter," and the rousing finale "Three Carols for Three Countries." We will hopefully hear from you as well, as you participate in our sing-a-long! As always, we thank you for your support over the years, and we hope you enjoy our sounds of the season! The event is free, donations accepted. Seating will be first-come-first-served.

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 through Fridays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sundays, 1-5 p.m.
• Alexandria Black History Museum
  Thursdays and 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 and Fridays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sundays, 1-5 p.m.
• Fort Ward Museum
  Thursdays and Fridays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sundays, 1-5 p.m.

• Freedom House Museum
  Saturdays, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sundays, 1 - 5 p.m.

  Freedom House is open on weekends only through early January. Group visits available by special appointment.

• Friendship Firehouse Museum
  Saturday, December 7, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday, December 28, 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, 1 - 5 p.m., closed Monday - Wednesday.

• Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
  Wednesdays-Fridays, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sundays 1 - 5 p.m., closed Mondays & Tuesdays.

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 November 20, 1818, the Alexandria Common Council authorized space in the new City Hall and Market House for an Alexandria Museum. The space, located on the second floor corner of the building overlooking Cameron and North Royal Streets, was operated by the local Masonic Lodge and was the site of many important public receptions over the years, including one for the Marquis de Lafayette who visited Alexandria for a month in 1824. When the building was destroyed by fire in 1871, many objects perished, but those that could be salvaged were re-installed in the 1872 City Hall in a new, fire-proof room just above the Cameron Street entrance in the new City Hall, marked on the exterior by Masonic symbols. When the George Washington Masonic National Memorial was finished in 1932, the museum relics were moved to that location.

Upcoming Commission and Committee Events

Commissions Supporting Historic Alexandria

• November 18 Schools and Libraries Action Committee
  Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street
  6-7 p.m.

• November 18 George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  7-9 p.m.

• November 18 Alexandria Sister City Committee Dundee and Helsingborg
  Sister Cities Conference Room 1101, City Hall
  7-8:30 p.m.

• November 18 Public Records Advisory Commission (PRAC)
  Archives and Records Center, 801 S. Payne Street
  7:30 p.m.

• November 19 Historic Alexandria Resources Commission (HARC)
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  7-9 p.m.

• November 20 Alexandria Archaeological Commission (AAC)
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  7-9 p.m.
  

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