The Alexandria Roller Rink in Old Town North was open from 1948 to 1986 (via Office of Historic Alexandria)Next month, the Alexandria Historical Society will host a behind-the-scenes panel to reflect on the legacy of a long-lost landmark: the Alexandria Roller Rink.
With its maple floors and Wurlitzer organ, the Alexandria Roller Rink (807 N. St. Asaph Street) could hold 3,000 skaters at a time. It wasn’t all about skating, though. In the 1970s, the rink was advertised as a “psychedelic ballroom” and the “Alexandria Rock Arena” and hosted concerts with stars like Janis Joplin, Jethro Tull, and Alice Cooper, according to the Office of Historic Alexandria.
“There may be no structure left to visit,” the Alexandria Historical Society said in a release, “but the Alexandria Roller Rink remains a cornerstone of community memory. This event ensures that the legacy continues to be heard and honored.”
More from the Alexandria Historical Society:
Before the digital age, the Alexandria Roller Rink served as a vibrant hub of recreation and
community, especially for Alexandria’s African American residents. It was a place to skate, hear
live bands, connect with friends, and build lifelong memories. Though the building is gone, its
legacy lives on in the stories of those who spent their youth there.The program will feature local panelists sharing their personal recollections and reflections on the rink’s social and cultural significance, as well as how we can preserve its legacy for future generations.
The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, July 12, at the Alexandria Black History Museum
(902 Wythe Street).
