The City of Alexandria announced on May 19 a series of upcoming events, lectures, and new museum exhibits as part of Historic Alexandria week, taking place from May 18 to 24. The schedule includes commemorations, specialty tours, lectures by historians and authors, and the launch of new historical exhibitions across several city museums.
The featured event is the 16th Annual D-Day Commemoration on Sunday, May 31 at John Carlyle Square. This free public gathering will include World War II reenactors, live jazz music from the era, swing dancing, children’s activities, educational displays, and a ceremony with special guests from the U.S. Armed Services and Allied countries. In addition to this commemoration, Rear Admiral Samuel Cox (Ret.), Director of the Naval History and Heritage Command, will deliver a lecture titled “Operation Tiger and Neptune – D-Day at Sea” at The Lyceum on June 4.
Throughout the week and into early June there are guided tours such as “Lost Buildings of Alexandria Urban Renewal,” behind-the-scenes explorations at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum including historic graffiti sites rarely open to visitors, programs about African American history like “They Lived Here Too” at Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, as well as presentations covering topics from yellow fever epidemics to women’s contributions in medicine. Other highlights include author Karen E. Stone discussing her book about an April 1865 Potomac River disaster linked to Lincoln’s assassination pursuit.
Newly opened exhibits feature Civil War music at Fort Ward Museum—showcasing period instruments—and “Women in Business: We Were Always Here” at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum highlighting both historic female entrepreneurs like Hannah Griffith and today’s women-owned businesses near City Hall. Additional ongoing exhibitions address subjects such as disease outbreaks’ impact on local history or life aboard Union Navy ships during the Civil War.
Alexandria encourages residents to participate in initiatives marking America’s approaching semiquincentennial by planting native species through Plant for America250 or joining activities related to tall ship visits during Sails on the Potomac from June 12-14 alongside ALX Jazz Fest concerts. The city also recently joined Virginia’s statewide Virginia 250 Passport program promoting family exploration of historic sites with incentives starting November next year.
According to the official website, Alexandria’s museums interpret local social and cultural history while enhancing community identity; sites such as the Alexandria Black History Museum document African American heritage; racial equity is incorporated into city policies; operations follow a council-manager government model; services are provided within defined boundaries; and archaeological research is supported through partnerships involving residents.
