The City of Alexandria is celebrating the ten year anniversary of the Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial (1001 S. Washington Street) next month, a monument commemorating a chapter in Alexandria’s history that’s both harrowing and inspiring.
The memorial honors the hundreds of Black Americans who died in Alexandria during the Civil War.
“Many were refugees from bondage in Maryland and Virginia, who were seeking protection under Union soldiers,” the city said in a release. “In the early years of the Civil War, those who escaped to freedom in areas under Union control were called contrabands. Originating from the term ‘contraband of war,’ this protected their refugee status and prevented their return to the Confederacy.”
The memorial is located on the site of the Freedmen’s Cemetery, established by Union military authorities in 1864 due to a health and humanitarian crisis in Alexandria.
“More than 1,700 freed and formerly enslaved African Americans were buried in the cemetery during and just after the war,” the release said. “The cemetery fell into disrepair and nearly faded from memory before being restored and rededicated in 2007. The Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial opened in 2014 on the site of the cemetery, to honor the memory of the Freedmen, the hardships they faced, and their contributions to Alexandria.”
A candlelight vigil and wreath laying is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 7, at 8 p.m. Shuttles will be offered from the Lee Center starting at 7:30 p.m.
A bus tour is also scheduled for Friday, Sept. 6, visiting pre-Civil War historic Black churches and sites around Alexandria.
“Visit historic African American churches in downtown Alexandria that grew and flourished before and during the Civil War, learning their stories from the congregations,” the release said. “This tour which begins and ends at the Alexandria Black History Museum will also drive by other important African American sites. Box lunch will be provided. Cost is $50 per person.”
A 10th anniversary luncheon is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 7, at noon at Hotel AKA.
“Celebrate and commemorate the 10-year anniversary of Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial over an outstanding lunch with speakers honoring the preservation of African American history,” the release said. “The keynote speaker for the luncheon is Pastor Michelle Thomas, a leading figure in Loudoun County for her work with the NAACP, uncovering her area’s lynching history and her preservation of historic Black Cemeteries. Held at the award-winning Hotel AKA. Cost is $75 per person.”
Tickets to the tour and luncheon are available on the city’s website.
