June 6
D-Day at 75: Looking Back and Looking Forward
7:00 p.m.
201 S. Washington St.
As part of Alexandria’s commemoration of the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee presents a distinguished panel to discuss the significance of D-Day: looking back, and looking forward. Panelists include Rear Admiral Tom Flynn, retired Judge Advocate General of the Navy; Dr. Kim Bernard Holien, retired Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall historian; and Brigadier General Tony Smith, U.S. Army, retired. A wine and dessert reception will follow. Tickets can be purchased onsite or online via https://shop.alexandriava.gov. ($10)
June 6
7:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.
Torpedo Factory Art Center
105 N. Union St.
Kick off the start of Capital Pride with a special evening mix and mingle for Alexandria. Get to know others from the local LGBTQIA community.
June 8
Civil War Camp Day
10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site
4301 W. Braddock Rd
Civil War reenactors interpret soldier and civilian life in camps, present drills and firing demonstrations, equipment displays, U.S. Army field hospital, Quartermaster’s tent, life in the reconstructed Officers’ Hut, fort tours, and kids activities. Program is weather dependent. ($2/person, $5/families)
June 9
Facetime with History: Thomas Jefferson
1:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
134 N. Royal St.
Facetime with History is an ongoing series giving today’s museum guests time to spend with people from the past in an informal setting, much like meeting at the tavern to catch up with friends. Former President Thomas Jefferson discusses his retirement and current projects. Sponsored by Gadsby’s Tavern Museum Society. Included with regular admission. ($5/adults; $3/ages 5-12)
June 9
The AHS Spring 2019 Classic Car Show at River Farm
9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
River Farm – American Horticultural Society
7931 E. Boulevard Dr.
Join this fun community event benefiting the national nonprofit American Horticultural Society and the stewardship of its River Farm headquarters. In addition to checking out classic cars that are competing for trophies, enjoy garden tours, children’s activities, raffles, food/drink, the botanically themed exhibits in our manor house, and browse in our Garden Shop! $10 per car for spectators; $20 for show cars (pre-registration encouraged); $5 for walk-ins/bikes; free for kids 12 & under. Rain Date: June 16. Questions: Contact [email protected].
June 13
Archaeology After Dark: Cartography of a Port City
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Lloyd House
220 N. Washington St
City of Alexandria Archaeologist Dr. Benjamin Skolnik presents a new take on the history of the city as told through 15 seldom-seen maps. Alexandria history is combined with the history of cartography to show the many ways people, including City Archaeologists, make and use maps. Alexandria After Dark is an informal lecture series sponsored by Alexandria Archaeology and the Friends of Alexandria Archaeology. Each evening brings together professional archaeologists and historians for informal lectures on topics relating to the rich archaeological heritage of Alexandria and the surrounding area. Doors open at 6 p.m. Cash bar and light refreshments provided. Advance tickets are recommended as space is limited. $12 per person; $10 for Friends of Alexandria Archaeology members. Tickets for each event may be purchased at https://shop.alexandriava.gov.
June 15
Alexandria’s Summer Kick-Off Concert
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Del Ray United Methodist Church
100 E Windsor Ave.
Celebrate the start of summer at Alexandria’s Summer Kick-off Concert with live music with all the fun sounds of the summer. Cheer on your favorite movie with How to Train Your Dragon. Get ready for a summer vacation to Scotland with Loch Lomond. Preview the Fourth of July with “You’re A Grand Old Flag.” Enjoy summer with a blast of trumpets and trombones, and some flashy saxophones with a touch of Bach and Rimsky-Korsakoff. Free
June 16
Father’s Day Open Houses in Historic Alexandria
Friendship Firehouse Museum, 107 S. Alfred St. Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105-107 S. Fairfax St.
In honor of Father’s Day, dads will receive free admission to some of Alexandria’s premier historic sites and have the opportunity to peruse the grounds once frequented by America’s founding fathers.
June 18
Philip Reid, Enslaved and Free: Tracing Families of Color in the District of Columbia
1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Hollin Hall Senior Center
1500 Shenandoah Rd., Room 112
Mount Vernon Genealogical Society invites you to hear Genealogist John Philip Colletta speak about tracing families of color in the District of Columbia. In 1860 close to one out of every four residents of the District of Columbia was a man, woman, or child of African descent. Of these people of color, about three-quarters were born free, the others were born into lifelong servitude. Discovering their stories poses peculiar challenges, but may result in a surprise ending.
June 20
Creative Writing with Community Building Art Works
6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Torpedo Factory Art Center
105 N. Union St.
As featured in the 2018 HBO documentary “We Are Not Done Yet”, Community Building Art Works serves veterans, military personnel, and members of the community through creative writing workshops. They are focused on using the written word as a tool for introspection, communication, and connection. Bring a pen, a notebook, and an open mind. The program is free, but a donation of $10-$30 would to support CBAW to hold similar workshops at military hospitals. Visit: torpedofactory.org to pre-register.
June 22
Huzzah Alexandria! Huzzah NOVA Parks
12:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Carlyle House
121 N. Fairfax Street
In July 1749, the town of Alexandria was founded. Included on the board of trustees was John Carlyle. Two hundred years later the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority was created to save priceless treasures throughout the area, including Carlyle House in 1968. Join us for a free open house to celebrate these anniversaries. Talk to people from the past and present, play games, and enjoy a birthday treat! Admission is free, donations are welcome.
June 22
Portside in Old Town Summer Festival
2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Waterfront Park
1 King Street and 1A Prince Street
Kick off summer with the first-ever Portside in Old Town Summer Festival, a day of live music featuring an array of creative collaborations and genres, a beer garden from Alexandria’s award-winning Port City Brewing Company, plus local food, hands-on art and history activities, and fun for the whole family on the Old Town Alexandria waterfront at the foot of King Street.
June 28-29
Independence Fireworks at Mount Vernon
6:00 p.m. – 9:45 p.m.
George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
Enjoy a patriotic evening filled with dazzling fireworks, mansion tours, musical performances, and games on George Washington’s beloved estate! Fireworks begin at approximately 9:30 p.m. Greet General and Mrs. Washington in the historic area before trying your hand at bocce ball. Dust off your dancing shoes for 18th-century dancing demonstrations. Mount Vernon’s colonial artisans will reveal how 18th-century ice cream was made in the days before freezers. Visit Washington’s Tomb at night—this event is one of the few times this area is open in the evening—and watch sparks fly at the blacksmith shop. Concessions from the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant will be available. $36 for adults; $26 for youth; with no mansion tour: $30 for adults; $20 for youth
June 29
Dive into Archaeology Workshop
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
116 S. Quaker Lane
Calling all aspiring archaeologists! Go behind the scenes to see what happens to historic ships when they are found underground. Find out how Alexandria grew as a port in the 18th century, try your hand at creating a map of the ship, and then test your skills to see if you have what it takes to make a mini boat that can carry cargo. Ages 8 – 14. Children under 10 must be accompanied by a participating adult. Space is limited. Tickets available at Alexandriava.gov/Shop. $15/person; $12/FOAA members
July 4
An American Celebration at Mount Vernon
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
Salute the first commander in chief during our annual Independence Day event! Watch dazzling made-for-daytime fireworks shoot off over the Potomac River and listen to the roar of cannon fire during special military reenactments. Enjoy free birthday cake (while it lasts), a visit from General and Mrs. Washington, and a performance by theduring its “Red, White and Blue” concert. Spend a truly inspiring day at a truly inspiring place. An American Celebration takes place rain or shine. Included with general admission.
