A variety of historical and cultural events are scheduled across Alexandria from September 22 to 28, offering residents and visitors opportunities to engage with the city’s past. The week’s featured event is the “Outlandish Apothecary” specialty tour at the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum on Sunday, September 28. Participants will explore herbal medicines mentioned in Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series and learn about the role of apothecaries and women in medicine during the 18th century.
On Wednesday, September 24, Dr. Krystyn R. Moon will present “Proximity to Power: Rethinking Race and Place in Alexandria” at the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum. According to organizers, “Dr. Moon will explore how Alexandria’s proximity to the nation’s capital shaped African Americans’ access to schools, transportation, and resources compared with other southern towns.” The program also highlights ongoing advocacy by Black residents throughout history.
The Carlyle House Historic Park is hosting a Yoga on the Magnolia Terrace-Happy Hour event on Thursday, September 25. Attendees can participate in an outdoor yoga class followed by themed mocktails as part of a fundraiser for new museum exhibit cases.
Alexandria-based author Tom Young will give a lecture titled “Inside the French Resistance” at The Lyceum on Thursday evening. He will introduce figures from the French Resistance and discuss his new World War II novel, “The Mapmaker,” which centers on fictional operative Charlotte Denneau.
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum presents Tavern Games Night focused on “The Alexandria Canal and Commerce” Friday night. This includes pub trivia about canal history along with traditional tavern games.
Saturday features several Civil War-themed programs: Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden offers a walking tour called “Beyond the Battlefield,” highlighting stories of soldiers, citizens, and self-liberated African Americans during wartime Alexandria; Fort Ward Park Museum hosts Civil War Artillery Day with living history displays by reenactors from the 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery.
On Monday, September 29, George Washington Masonic National Memorial is set to host the Mortar & Pestle Society’s 90th Anniversary Gala celebrating nearly a century of pharmacy history preservation through Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum efforts. Organizers note that “the gala will bring together national pharmacy leaders, preservation advocates, civic partners, and local supporters for a shared evening of connection.”
Additional upcoming events include tours focusing on poisons at Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum (October 4), Sips & Secrets: A Speakeasy Night at Lee-Fendall House (October 4), and an archaeology-focused pop-up at North Old Town Farmer’s Market (October 5).
Museum hours for various sites such as Alexandria Archaeology Museum, Alexandria Black History Museum, Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, among others have been updated for fall operations. Freedom House remains closed due to exterior restoration but plans to reopen later this year.
Historic Alexandria has also introduced a new mobility guide connecting museums via walking routes or transit options within city limits.
Tickets are now available for Cider Festival 2025 at Lloyd House in November; proceeds support Historic Alexandria Museums programming. Additionally, this year’s holiday ornament commemorates discoveries related to Alexandria Canal uncovered by archaeologists earlier this year.
For more information about these events or museum access—including complimentary admission for city residents—visit alexandriava.gov/Historic.
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