Historic Alexandria

Published May 20, 2026 at 11:45AM

The Tall Ship Providence sails to its new home, The Senator John Warner Maritime Heritage Center at Waterfront Park (staff photo by James Cullum)

As Alexandria prepares for a major waterfront festival next month, the Office of Historic Alexandria is seeking hundreds of volunteers to assist with four tall ship tours.

The city put out a call for volunteers to take shifts at the Sails on the Potomac waterfront festival from June 12-14, one of the city’s America250 events celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. A highlight of the three-day festival will be free timed tours of four tall ships — Swedish Navy warship replica Kalmar Nyckel, Royal Navy schooner replica Sultana, historic fishing vessel Gazela and Alexandria’s own Continental Navy ship replica Providence.

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Alexandria celebrates arrival of historical events, tall ships and more in America250 kickoff

By Katie Taranto

Published February 10, 2026 at 3:45PM

OHA Deputy Director Liz Williams speaks about Sails on the Potomac during the America250 kickoff event at The Lyceum (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

The Office of Historic Alexandria celebrated the kickoff of America250 last night (Monday), previewing several city events that will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this year.

City officials joined leaders of OHA, Visit Alexandria and the local business community at The Lyceum to launch the yearlong commemoration, which will include at least two new museum exhibits, a Revolutionary War history forum and this weekend’s George Washington Birthday Parade, among other events.

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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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‘Christmas in Camp’ Civil War program coming to Fort Ward this weekend

By Katie Taranto

Published December 8, 2025 at 11:45AM

Fort Ward Park, Jan. 6, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site’s annual Christmas in Camp program returns this Saturday, offering a glimpse into Civil War-era holiday celebrations.

The event includes historical reenactors interacting across the museum’s decorated winter camp settings, according to the Office of Historic Alexandria. The educational program lasts from noon to 4 p.m. at the museum — one of the Union Army’s best-preserved forts in the Defenses of Washington — located at 4301 W. Braddock Road.

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Alexandria museums featured in new ‘Virginia 250 Passport’ state tourism program

By Katie Taranto

Published November 12, 2025 at 9:15AM

Family uses VA250 Passport booklet at Art Museums (courtesy of the Virginia Museum of History & Culture)

Three Alexandria museums are participating in a new Virginia tourism campaign to commemorate the country’s 250th anniversary next year.

The new program, called the Virginia 250 Passport, includes Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, the Alexandria Black History Museum and the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum as part of a “passport” sweepstakes. The program encourages residents to visit various museums and historic sites throughout the commonwealth.

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Alexandria unveils historic marker honoring Colored Rosemont community

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 13, 2025 at 8:08PM | Updated September 13, 2025 at 9:36PM

Officials and community descendants unveil the new Virginia State Historic marker commemorating the Colored Rosemont neighborhood Saturday near the intersection of Wythe and West streets. Photo by Ryan Belmore/ALXnow

The City of Alexandria unveiled a Virginia State Historic marker Saturday commemorating Colored Rosemont, a thriving African American neighborhood that existed from 1926 until it was dismantled in the mid-20th century through discriminatory housing policies.

The ceremony took place at the intersection of Wythe and West streets, near where the community once stood, bounded by Pendleton, Fayette, Madison, and N. West streets. Mayor Alyia Gaskins, descendants of former residents, and representatives from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources gathered for the dedication.

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Notes: Historic marker to honor displaced Alexandria neighborhood

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 11, 2025 at 8:00AM

The City of Alexandria’s Office of Historic Alexandria, in partnership with community members and descendants, will lead the unveiling of a new state historic marker commemorating the legacy of Colored Rosemont, a vibrant African American neighborhood established in 1926. The unveiling ceremony will take place on September 13th at 3 p.m. near the intersection of Wythe and West Streets. (Credit: City of Alexandria)

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Thursday, Sept. 11, the 254th day of 2025. There are 111 days left in the year.

☀️ Today’s weather: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 81. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the afternoon. Mostly clear tonight, with a low around 59. Calm wind.

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Historic Alexandria celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride with new website and events

By Ryan Belmore

Published May 16, 2025 at 3:00PM

Historic Alexandria Honors World Pride Month & Alexandria’s LGBTQ+ History (via Office of Historic Alexandria)

The Office of Historic Alexandria is rolling out new initiatives from May 17 to June 24 to honor Pride Month and showcase the city’s LGBTQ+ history.

On May 13, a new website dedicated to Alexandria’s LGBTQ+ history will go live. It will highlight the impact of LGBTQ+ individuals and businesses on the city’s heritage. You can find it at alexandriava.gov/historic-alexandria/lgbtq-history-in-alexandria. The site will feature expanded online storytelling and emphasize Alexandria’s role in LGBTQ+ rights.

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Notes: Alexandria museums to offer free admission to military personnel and their families this summer

By ALXnow.com

Published May 16, 2025 at 8:00AM

Alexandria Black History Museum (image via City of Alexandria)

Good Friday morning, Alexandria!

⛈️ Today’s weather: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 4 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 90 degrees. Calm wind becoming southwest 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 60%—new rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.