The Office of Historic Alexandria (OHA) has released the results of a national Museum Social Impact in Practice survey, which measured the social impact of museum visits in Alexandria. OHA was selected in October 2024 to participate in this initiative, led by the American Alliance of Museums and funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
The study took place from April through August 2025 and included visitors to three OHA museums. The Office of Analytics, Innovation, and Data assisted with data analysis during fall 2025.
According to the survey results, OHA museums “enhance quality of life by offering accessible, meaningful experiences,” “support community cohesion through shared understanding and dialogue,” “advance educational goals by teaching inclusive history,” “contribute to economic vitality by strengthening Alexandria’s identity as a unique historic destination,” and “promote social resilience by encouraging empathy, reflection, and civic pride.”
The findings indicate that OHA’s museums play an important role in building an informed and connected community. Visitors reported gaining a greater understanding of Alexandria’s complex history, increased appreciation for city resources, and a stronger sense of identity and civic engagement.
Historic Alexandria plans to use these insights for strategic planning, improved promotion of its sites, and operational changes based on the study’s recommendations.
Alexandria’s museums interpret local social and cultural history to strengthen community identity (official website). The city also maintains institutions such as the Alexandria Black History Museum that document African American heritage (official website). Racial and social equity are incorporated into local policies to foster fair outcomes for residents (official website).
For disability accommodations or language interpretation services related to Historic Alexandria programs, residents can contact Nicole Quinn or email LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services supports libraries and museums across the country through grants, research, and policy development. More information is available at www.imls.gov.
OHA manages eight museums along with archives, archaeology projects, tours, exhibits, and public programs focused on preserving local history. The American Alliance of Museums represents over 35,000 museum professionals nationwide working toward collaborative education about culture and history.
Alexandria operates under a council-manager form of government where services are provided within its independent city boundaries (official website). Archaeological research is conducted in partnership with agencies and residents (official website).
