Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Saturday, June 7, the 158th day of 2025. There are 207 days left in the year.
☀️ Today’s weather: Scattered showers, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 8 a.m. High near 83 degrees. Calm wind becoming northwest around six mph in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 80%—new rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.
🚨 You need to know
The Freedom House Museum is showing off its new look as scaffolding comes down, revealing a freshly restored front façade.
The Office of Historic Alexandria initiated the renovation in June 2024, aiming to restore the museum’s exterior to its pre-Civil War splendor.
The makeover includes swapping out the early 1900s gambrel roof for a side-gable one, adding a second entrance on the ground floor, and tweaking window placements to match old Civil War photos.
Key elements you will see include:
- Replacement of the ca. 1905 gambrel roof with a side-gable roof;
- Returning a second entryway to the first floor;
- Adjusting the west elevation window openings to be consistent with Civil War era photographs;
- Returning 12 over 12 sash single-hung windows and shutters to the front façade; and
- Updating the colors of the building using the results of scientific paint analysis.
While the exterior work is wrapping up, the museum will stay closed through the end of July as the two front doors and their hardware are still in the works.
We invite you to learn more about this work by visiting the Freedom House Museum Rehabilitation Project page. The full exterior rehabilitation project is guided by extensive historical documentation of the building and was recommended in the Historic Structures Report and supported by the community in the Comprehensive Plan.
Oak Grove Restoration Company is handling the project for Alexandria, with plans to finish by September 2025.
The renovation is funded by a mix of private donations, support from Virginia’s Department of Historic Resources, and a Save America’s Treasures grant from the National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Fund.
📈 Friday’s most read
The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for June 6, 2025.
- Anthony Bourdain-approved Xi’an Famous Foods arrives in Alexandria
- JUST IN: Ladrey Senior Hi-Rise redevelopment abandoned, HUD holds back funding and residents are being forced out
- Housing, Pride Month, and Torpedo Factory on tap for Alexandria City Council’s June 10 meeting
📅 Upcoming events
Here’s what’s happening this weekend in Alexandria, as per our newsletter and event calendar.
Saturday, June 7
Things To Do
- 7 a.m.: Old Town Farmers’ Market at Market Square Plaza
- 8 a.m.: Del Ray Farmers’ Market at Pat Miller Neighborhood Square
- 8:30 a.m.: Murphy’s Saturday Run at Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub
- 9 a.m.: Auburn Village Multi-Family Yard Sale and Market at Auburn Village condominium Parking Lot
- 10 a.m.: Running At The Brewery at Aslin ALX
- 10 a.m.: Old Town Arts & Crafts Fair at Waterfront Park
- 11 a.m.: Free Summer STEM Fair for Youth by Fly Minds at Patrick Henry Recreation Center
- 12 p.m.: Sungazing at the National Air and Space Museum
- 12 p.m.: Carlyle House Family Fun Day – Best Friends Bash at Carlyle House
- 12 p.m.: Karaoke with C.O.P.S. at Rock It Grill
- 2 p.m.: Thank You for the Music: A 50th Anniversary Celebration at Bishop Ireton High School
- 2 p.m.: Free Family-friendly Concert & Activities at Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center
- 2:30 p.m.: Royals – Chamber Music from Mozart to Disney at Charles e. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 5:30 p.m.: 60 Years of Preservation: Celebrating Wright’s Pope-Leighey House at Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House
- 6 p.m.: Ceramic Turtle Workshop at Del Ray Artisans
- 6:30 p.m.: Jellyfish Terrarium Workshop at PlantHouse
Live Music & Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Live music at 9 p.m.
- Blackwall Hitch: Black Coffee at 9 p.m.
- Hops N Shine: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: Sharon Clark Trio at 7 p.m.
- Makeda Restaurant: Negussie & Nani at 10 p.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Pat Garvey at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere: The Smithereens with John Cowsill at 7:30 p.m.
- The Little Theatre of Alexandria: The Play That Goes Wrong at 8 p.m.
- The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6 p.m.
City of Alexandria & Alexandria City Public Schools
- 9 a.m.: Social Services Advisory Board (SSAB) Volunteering
- 9 a.m.: Clean the Bay Day Stream Cleanup
- 10 a.m.: RiverRenew Hooffs Run Dedication Day
- 10 a.m.: Specialty Tour: Hamilton’s BFF & Frenemies
- 5 p.m.: Apothecary Night Shift
Sunday, June 8
Things To Do
- 8:30 a.m.: West End Farmers Market at 4800 Brenman Park
- 9 a.m.: Four Mile Run Farmers’ Market at Four Mile Run Park
- 9 a.m.: BSVCA Coordinated Yard Sale at Brookville-Seminary Valley Neighborhood
- 12 p.m.: Board Games & Brunch at Lost Boy Cider
- 1 p.m.: Kids Arts & Crafts at Hops N Shine
- 3 p.m.: The U.S. Air Force Band presents Chamber Players Series at Sherwood Regional Library
- 3 p.m.: Summer Sundays Chamber Music at the Lyceum by WMPA
- 5 p.m.: 90’s Yoga at Port City Brewing
- 7 p.m.: Brass of Peace Free Outdoor Concert at Peace Lutheran Church
Live Music & Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Live music at 9 p.m.
- Blackwall Hitch: Black Coffee at 10:30 a.m.
- Galactic Panther Art Gallery: Open Mic at 7:30 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: Steve Ragsdale at 11:30 a.m., Walt Johnson Trio at 6 p.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Rook Richards at 8:30 p.m.
- O’Shaughnessys Pub: Loud & Proud Karaoke Pride Party at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere: Happy Together Tour at 7:30 p.m.
- The Little Theatre of Alexandria: The Play That Goes Wrong at 2 p.m.
City of Alexandria & Alexandria City Public Schools
- 11 a.m.: Outlandish Tour at the Apothecary Museum
- 12 p.m.: Make in Public Day
Organizing an event? Submit your event to ALXnow’s Event Calendar.
