Black History | ALXnow

Published March 11, 2026 at 2:45PM

Audrey Davis, Director of the African American History division of the Office of Historic Alexandria, speaks at the "Fight for the Right to Read" family program in February 2026 (courtesy of the Office of Historic Alexandria)

A new children’s book is highlighting the historic work of Samuel Wilbert Tucker, an attorney from Alexandria who pioneered one of the first library sit-ins against Jim Crow segregation.

“Fight for the Right to Read” tells the story of the Alexandria Library sit-in as Tucker, at age 26, led a group of five young Black men to enter the whites-only Alexandria Library on Aug. 21, 1939. Co-authors Jeff Gottesfeld, Michelle Y. Green and illustrator Kim Holt came to the Alexandria recently to discuss the September release and sign copies during Black History Month.

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Shiloh Baptist Church receives $360K grant to preserve historic sanctuary

By Emily Leayman

Published March 2, 2026 at 3:45PM

Shiloh Baptist Church in March 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s Shiloh Baptist Church is among more than 30 historically Black churches to receive a new grant aimed at preserving and restoring their buildings.

The church at 1401 Jamieson Avenue has received $360,000 from the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund as part of its Preserving Black Churches grant program. Recipients were announced last week.

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African American History Division director discusses ways to explore Alexandria’s vast history

By ALXnow.com

Published February 20, 2026 at 3:30PM

Alexandria Black History Museum (image via City of Alexandria)

Audrey Davis, the first director of the African American History Division in the Office of Historic Alexandria, is at the forefront of preserving and showcasing the city’s Black history.

Black History Month has brought music, historical discussions and exhibits, displays of student art and so much more to Alexandria this month, commemorating a vast history spanning hundreds of years, from the 18th century to the Civil Rights Movement and present day.

Around Town

Alexandria celebrating 100 years of Black History Month with music, exhibits and more

By Emily Leayman

Published February 3, 2026 at 1:15PM | Updated February 3, 2026 at 4:30PM

The Washington Revels perform "The Courage to Be" at the Alexandria Lyceum for Black History Month 2025 (via Washington Revels/Facebook)

Various events will honor Black history in Alexandria as this February marks the 100th anniversary of Black History Month being nationally observed.

Founded in 1926 by historian Carter G. Woodson, Black History Month is an observance to preserve and honor Black history as a month-long celebration. Alexandria has its own rich Black and African American history, dating back to 18th century free Black communities to the 19th century slave trading operations and Civil War, to the 1939 library sit-in protest and 2020 protests after George Floyd’s death.

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Alexandria will begin Black History Month with annual student poster exhibition

By Katie Taranto

Published January 30, 2026 at 3:45PM

Students' posters in the 2024 Martin Luther King, Jr. Poster Exhibition (via City of Alexandria/Facebook)

Black History Month starts this Sunday, and in Alexandria, it will be celebrated with the city’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Poster Exhibition.

More than 130 student posters inspired by the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. will go on display at the Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe Street), starting Sunday during an awards ceremony from 1-3 p.m. The event has showcased posters by students in grades 2-5 at Alexandria City Public Schools for over 30 years.

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Alexandria ceremony honoring MLK Jr. rebukes political violence and racism

By Katie Taranto

Published January 16, 2026 at 11:15AM

Attendees at the 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Program 2026 (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Alexandria honored the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. with song, dance and poetry, as well as a thorough rebuke of political violence and societal divisions under the Trump administration last night (Thursday).

The 53rd annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Program began with an impassioned invocation from the Rev. Quardricos Bernard Driskell of Beulah Baptist Church, who said King is remembered as “a prophet who named America’s sins and paid his life for it.” Driskell denounced current approaches to immigration enforcement, military spending and “taking over sovereign nations for profit, power and greed.”

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History tours, concerts and more coming to Alexandria this winter for America’s 250th anniversary

By James Cullum

Published January 5, 2026 at 2:45PM

The 1st Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line cries 'Huzzah!' at the George Washington Birthday Parade in Old Town, Feb. 19, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

From historical tours and adult field trips to trivia nights, several events coming to Alexandria this winter will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

The various roles Alexandria played in the forging of the U.S. will be told in events across the city. The events are compiled in a list by the American Revolution 250 Commission, or VA250, which was established by the General Assembly in 2020.

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City leaders mourn death of beloved Alexandria historian McArthur Myers

By James Cullum

Published December 4, 2025 at 3:30PM

McArthur Myers in front of Universal Lodge No. 1 on Oxford Avenue (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria historian McArthur Myers died today after a long illness. He was 73.

City leaders remember “Mac” Myers as a kind man with an endless supply of stories who was motivated to keep Alexandria informed of its frequently troubled past. A lifetime resident and Living Legend, Myers was integral in erecting historical signage in and around Alexandria, including markers along the African American Heritage Waterfront Trail.

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Alexandria library to host exhibit on 400-year Black equality struggle

By James Cullum

Published September 16, 2025 at 10:30AM

Determined: The 400-Year Struggle for Black Equity Exhibit will be open at the Kate Waller Branch Library (717 Queen Street) from Sept. 24 until Oct. 25 (via Facebook)

A new traveling exhibit chronicling 400 years of struggle for Black equality in the U.S. will open in Alexandria on Wednesday, Sept. 24.

The Kate Waller Branch Library (717 Queen Street) will host Determined: The 400-Year Struggle for Black Equity Exhibit from Sept. 24 until Oct. 25 (Saturday). The traveling exhibit from the Virginia Museum of History and Culture highlights the stories of Black Virginians who fought against injustice. Alexandria history makers are included in the exhibit, and the opening on Sept. 24 will be hosted by Alexandria Library Director Rose Dawson and feature a presentation from genealogist Char McCargo Bah on 15 African Americans “whose lives and legacies shaped the city’s journey toward equality,” according to Alexandria Library.

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‘Colored Rosemont’ neighborhood to be recognized with Virginia State historic marker

By James Cullum

Published July 25, 2025 at 11:30AM

A historic marker will be placed at the corner of Wythe and N. West Streets recognizing the "Colored Rosemont" neighborhood of Alexandria (via Google Maps)

Alexandria’s “Colored Rosemont” neighborhood will be recognized in September with the dedication of a Virginia State historic marker. The neighborhood was home to the first Black homeowners in the city in the early to mid-20th century.

The marker is a reminder of racial segregation in Alexandria. It will be dedicated at 3 p.m. near the corner of Wythe and N. West Streets — across from the Braddock Road Metro station — on Sept. 13 (Saturday). Mayor Alyia Gaskins, representatives of the Office of Historic Alexandria (OHA) and former and current residents of the neighborhood will attend the ceremony. The event is free and open to the public.

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Three historic houses unite for Freedom House Museum fundraiser

By James Cullum

Published July 15, 2025 at 10:30AM

Freedom House Museum (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Alexandria is fundraising for one of its historic crown jewels, which is undergoing renovation.

The Office of Historic Alexandria is conducting a historical discussion and fundraiser on Sunday, July 20, at the Morrison House Hotel (116 S. Alfred Street) to benefit the Freedom House restoration project. The event features a historic discussion on the former slave pen with actor William T. Newman and town crier Ben Fiore-Walker, as well as readings from the Alexandria-based mystery novel “Spite House” by John Wasowicz.