Explore City Museums through Monthly Program
Learn more about local history and its connection to national stories through The Office of Historic Alexandria’s homeschool series. Each month features a different city-owned museum. All classes are designed to engage the entire family, recommended for 1st grade and older. Each class offers two sessions, 10-11:30 a.m. or 1-2:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 per child 5 and older, adults free. Pre-registration is required, and tickets can be purchased online at shop.alexandriava.gov.
The dates, themes, and locations are as follows:
- December 12: Ship Science: Alexandria Archaeology Museum, 105 N. Union Street, #327
Why would a ship be found underground? Use dendrochronology and other scientific methods to uncover the mystery behind Alexandria’s 18th-century ship discovered along the waterfront.
- January 23: Preserving African American Sites: Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street
Discover what art and primary sources can tell us about historic preservation and its role in communities. By studying paintings of African American Historic Site, students will put their critical thinking skills to the test.
- February 20: Citizen Firefighters: Friendship Firehouse, 107 S. Alfred Street
Join the bucket brigade and learn how community volunteers fought fires in colonial and early 19th-century Alexandria. Not only will students learn more about Alexandria and firefighting, but good citizenship and volunteerism today.
- March 6: Early 19th-century Variety Show: Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal Street
Enjoy an early 19th-century variety show with the kind of entertainment people enjoyed in taverns—music, magic, feats of strength, and a grand puppet show. Then make your own puppets and learn a few tricks of the trade.
The Office of Historic Alexandria enhances the quality of life for City residents and visitors by preserving and interpreting Alexandria’s historic properties, archaeological sites, cultural resources, artifact collections, objects, archives, records, and personal stories, and by encouraging audiences to appreciate Alexandria’s diverse historic heritage and its place within the broader context of American history. For more information about the Office of Historic Alexandria, it’s museums, and upcoming events, visit historicalexandria.org.
