The Freedom House Museum, located at 1315 Duke Street in Alexandria, will reopen its doors on November 6 following the completion of exterior rehabilitation work. An official ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for November 8 at 1 p.m., with experts available from 1 to 3 p.m. to discuss details of the renovation.
The restoration project began in June 2024 and focused on returning the building’s front facade to its pre-Civil War appearance. This effort aims to support the museum’s mission of telling the story of the domestic slave trade in Alexandria. The next phase will address interior accessibility improvements, with engineers and preservation specialists set to design modifications that make all spaces accessible.
The rehabilitation was guided by historical documentation, as outlined in the Historic Structures Report and supported by recommendations in Alexandria’s Comprehensive Plan. Oak Grove Restoration Company completed the work for the City of Alexandria. Funding came from private donations, state funds from the Commonwealth of Virginia, and a Save America’s Treasures grant administered by the National Park Service under the U.S. Department of the Interior.
According to information provided by city officials: “The Office of Historic Alexandria preserves and shares the history of the City of Alexandria with eight museums, historic sites, archives, archaeology, tours, exhibits and public programs. Through powerful storytelling and confronting the City’s past, Historic Alexandria enriches the present and inspires the future. We enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors and serve as a partner in the City’s equity and inclusion initiatives.”
For more information about museum operations or accessibility accommodations, contact Nicole Quinn at historicalexandria@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.4554.
