Get in the holiday spirit and learn how Christmas was observed during the Civil War at Fort Ward Museum’s annual Civil War Christmas in Camp program on Saturday, December 14, 2024, from 12-4 p.m. This popular family-oriented event features a patriotic Civil War Santa Claus, reenactors in winter camp settings, and period decorations. The suggested donation is $2 per person and $5 for families.
The program features a Civil War-era Union Santa Claus, based on an 1863 cover of Harper’s Weekly by artist Thomas Nast, who will interact with the public, welcome children to the reconstructed Officers’ Hut, and visit soldiers in camp. Reenactors will interpret army life in winter camps that are decorated for the season and celebrate by opening Christmas boxes from home, singing carols of the period around the campfire, and preparing holiday meals. The Museum will be decorated with festive greenery and a Victorian parlor tree. Children can make a holiday card or ornament. A variety of Civil War books and “stocking stuffers” are available in the Museum shop.
Fort Ward is described as "the best preserved of the Union forts in the extensive system known as the Defenses of Washington." The Museum offers exhibits and public programs throughout the year. Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site is located at 4301 West Braddock Road in the City of Alexandria. For more information about this program, please call 703.746.4848 or visit alexandria.gov/FortWard.
For reasonable disability accommodation contact Nicole Quinn at historicalexandria@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.4554, Virginia Relay 711.
If you prefer communication in another language free interpretation and translation services are available to you; please email LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or call 703-746-3960.
For inquiries from the news media only contact the Office of Communications & Community Engagement at newsroom@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3969.
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 storytelling it aims to enhance "the quality of life for residents" while serving as a partner in equity initiatives within Alexandria.
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