Waterfront Park

Accelerated National Maritime Museum plan takes shape as Tall Ship Providence suspends operations

Published June 26, 2026 at 1:45PM

The U.S. Maritime Museum is planning to open at 1 Prince Street (the green roof buildings) in Old Town (via U.S. Maritime Museum Foundation)

After news broke this week that the Tall Ship Providence was suspending operations, a nonprofit aimed at creating a national maritime museum along the Alexandria waterfront has gone public.

Marion Smith, president of the United States Maritime Foundation, told ALXnow the organization has entered into a legal agreement with the property owner at 1 Prince Street and is currently fundraising and looking for a second location for additional programming nearby. He also said the foundation is working to acquire the Tall Ship Providence Foundation’s floating pier, the Tall Ship Providence itself and take over its entire operation at Waterfront Park after signing a memorandum of understanding to do so by 2028.

News

JUST IN: Tall Ship Providence to suspend operations on the Potomac River

By James Cullum

Published June 22, 2026 at 4:15PM

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

The Alexandria-based Tall Ship Providence Foundation is suspending its educational and tour programs on the Potomac River, effective Friday, June 26, the organization announced today (Monday).

The decision, which was recently made by the nonprofit’s board, means Tall Ship Providence will be sold if significant funding is not found, the organization’s Executive Director Kathy Seifert told ALXnow. As it stands, the bar at the floating pier at Waterfront Park will stay open to pay for upkeep of the ship, which Seifert says will stay docked in Alexandria until the end of the summer.

News

After NPS pump station denial, City Council advances alternate waterfront flood mitigation system

By James Cullum

Published June 15, 2026 at 3:45PM

Sandbags outside a business on lower King Street (staff photo by James Cullum)

With minimal discussion on Saturday (June 13), Alexandria City Council voted to move forward with an “enhanced gravity storm sewer system” to combat flooding along the waterfront in Old Town.

The City Council action was taken four months after the National Park Service denied the city’s plan to build a pump station at Waterfront Park (1 Prince Street). The city’s previously approved proposal would have closed Waterfront Park and Point Lumley Park from the fall of 2026 until the fall of 2028 to rebuild segments of the sea wall and to install the pump station to recirculate water in flood-prone areas back to the Potomac River. The denial by NPS forced the city to make “significant modifications” to the plan, project manager Matt Landis told Council.

Around Town

‘Now or Never’ art installation at Waterfront Park to align with sun on summer solstice

By James Cullum

Published June 4, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated June 4, 2026 at 11:29PM

A man walks by the “Now or Never” installation by Alicia Eggert, which marks the eighth installment of the Site See public art series at Waterfront Park (staff photo by James Cullum)

Cameras will be rolling on Sunday, June 21 at Alexandria’s “Now or Never” installation at Waterfront Park in Old Town.

That’s the day of the summer solstice — the longest day of the year — and artist Alicia Eggert designed the installation at 1 Prince Street to align with the sun’s path from sunrise to sunset.

Around Town

Alexandria kicks off World Cup welcome with Croatian cultural celebration at Waterfront Park

By Emily Leayman

Published May 27, 2026 at 11:45AM

A bench at Waterfront Park in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

The City of Alexandria will celebrate the Croatian National Team’s use of the city as a home base during the World Cup with a welcome event next month.

The city will host “Flavors & Sounds of Croatia – Alexandria” from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, June 6 at Waterfront Park (1 Prince Street) to celebrate Croatian heritage. The event is free to attend. The Croatian National Football Team will not be in attendance.

News

Volunteers sought for Waterfront Park cleanup in Old Town this weekend

By Emily Leayman

Published April 10, 2026 at 2:45PM

A bench at Waterfront Park in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Volunteers will gather this weekend to clean up Waterfront Park, a popular gathering spot for Old Town visitors along the Potomac River.

The Alexandria Beautification Commission and NOVA Cleanups are hosting the volunteer cleanup from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sunday (April 12). Volunteers will pick up litter and debris throughout the park, covering walking paths, green spaces and the waterfront.

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Alexandria clerk of court to officiate weddings aboard Tall Ship Providence

By James Cullum

Published March 30, 2026 at 1:45PM

The Senator John Warner Maritime Heritage Center at Waterfront Park is home to the Tall Ship Providence (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria Clerk’s Office is expanding its wedding offerings yet again.

After a successful run last fall with its costumed “Halloweddings,” Clerk of Court Greg Parks will officiate 18 weddings aboard the Tall Ship Providence on Friday, May 15, at Waterfront Park in Old Town.

News

New plan unveiled after National Park Service sinks pump station at Waterfront Park

By James Cullum

Published March 25, 2026 at 2:45PM

Flooding on lower King Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Council directed staff on Tuesday to pursue a new preferred option to combat flooding along the Alexandria waterfront — one that does not involve a pump station.

City staff presented the council with a number of options in the wake of the National Park Service’s denial last month of the city’s plan to build a pump station at Waterfront Park. The city’s preferred option, Option 3, is an enhanced gravity storm sewer system, with “automated back flow prevention devices.” Option 3 also means that infrastructure improvements to Point Lumley Park and the bulkhead would be deferred.

News

‘Now or Never’ art exhibit to open with reception at Waterfront Park in Alexandria

By Emily Leayman

Published March 11, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated March 11, 2026 at 9:52AM

Rendering of artist Alicia Eggert's "Now or Never" installation (via Alexandria Office of the Arts)

The eighth annual public art installation at Alexandria’s Waterfront Park is set to open next week.

Artist Alicia Eggert’s “Now or Never” installation will have an opening reception Saturday, March 21, from 1-4 p.m. at Waterfront Park (1 Prince Street). Artist remarks will happen at 1:30 p.m.

News

DEVELOPING: National Park Service denies approval of pump station at Waterfront Park

By James Cullum

Published February 25, 2026 at 2:10PM

Rendering of the pump station at Waterfront Park in Old Town at night, seen here looking east down Prince Street (via City of Alexandria)

The National Park Service has denied approval to build a pump station at Waterfront Park, the City of Alexandria has confirmed today (Wednesday).

The Alexandria Times was the first outlet to confirm the news. NPS sent the city a letter on Feb. 20 “indicating a reversal of their previous position on the City’s Deed Modification request for the Waterfront Flood Mitigation Pump Station,” according to the city website.

Around Town

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.