This Week in Historic Alexandria - November 4, 2024

november 4-10, 2024

What's New

Robert "Old Folks" Dawkins Memorial Unveiling Ceremony

Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe Street
Saturday, November 9
2 p.m., reception at 1 p.m.

Celebrate the Legacy of Mr. Robert "Old Folks" Dawkins with a Memorial Unveiling Ceremony at Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe Street). A reception will begin at 1 p.m. and a dedication ceremony at 2 p.m. honoring Mr. Robert "Old Folks" Dawkins and memorializing him in the Alexandria African American Hall of Fame. For more information, please contact Julian Haley at 571.217.9951 or email [email protected].

Lecture: Scots in Servitude

Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street
Thursday, November 14
7 p.m.
Free, but a $10 donation is requested at the door.
Pre-register.

The Alexandria Sister Cities Committee presents Dr. Jimmie McClellan, Professor of History and Dean Emeritus, Northern Virginia Community College at The Lyceum. Please join us as Dr. McClellan gives a historical lecture titled "Scots in Servitude." This lecture is part of the City's ALX275 campaign commemorating the City of Alexandria's 275th anniversary (1479 - 2024). Scots played a significant role in the city's founding. More than three hundred thousand Scottish emigrants arrived in the English colonies of North America before the American Revolution. Few of them could afford to pay the costs of transportation across the sea. The question is 'How did they pay for the passage?' The answer is that most sold themselves into, or were forced into, a state of temporary servitude. This lecture explains the types and nature of the various forms of servitude inflicted upon Scottish and Scots-Irish immigrants to Virginia and Alexandria. Space is limited, so please register in advance.

The Marquis de Lafayette, National Portrait Gallery.

A Musical Celebration of Lafayette

Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street
Sunday, November 24
3 p.m.
$20
Purchase tickets.

In 1824, American Revolutionary War hero Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette visited the United States of America for a Grand Tour of all 24 states. For 13 months, Americans across the country celebrated Lafayette with ceremonies, balls, dignitary visits, parades, and concerts. The sounds of military wind bands greeted the Hero of Two Worlds nearly everywhere he went. On November 24, 2024, the period-instrument wind band Music of the Regiment will commemorate the 200th anniversary of Lafayette's visit to Alexandria with a concert. The program, featuring works by Francis Johnson, anonymous women composing under the alias "A Lady…", and others, will transport audiences to the sound world of Lafayette's Grand Tour with grand marches, dance tunes, and America's earliest patriotic airs performed on the instruments of Lafayette's time. www.musicoftheregiment.com

Upcoming Events

View the Historic Alexandria Calendar

ACRP Documentary Film Screening
Part of the Threads of Resilience Showcase
Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke Street
Friday, November 8
12 - 4 p.m.
$15
Purchase tickets.

Join us at the Alexandria Film Festival for "Resolved: Never Again." The film documents Alexandria's dedication to telling the whole truth of this city's history.

"Philip Fendall II: Anti-Slavery in Antebellum Washington" - Lecture with Madeline Feierstein
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Friday, November 8
7 - 8:15 p.m.
$10
Purchase tickets.

While Philip Fendall II was the first child to be born at the Lee-Fendall House and a first cousin of Robert E. Lee, he held anti-slavery views despite his upbringing. Fendall's prolific political and legal career, however, placed him on both sides of the slavery debate in Antebellum Washington during the rise of the abolitionist movement. This lecture will examine primary source material, in relation to Fendall's environment, to determine the extent of his anti-slavery sentiments.

Madeline Feierstein is a docent at the Lee-Fendall House Museum in Alexandria, VA. She is a local historian specializing in Civil War military hospitals and prisons. A founding member of the museum's Civil War Research Team, Madeline created its popular Civil War Hospital Tour and leads projects to document the museum's time as a hospital. Madeline is also a full-time middle and high school history teacher in Fairfax County, VA and a current graduate student at Southern New Hampshire University pursuing a Master's in American History. She works with Dave Heiby at Gravestone Stories, leading tours of the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex, highlighting individuals buried there who were connected to or owned the Lee-Fendall House.

Tickets are free for museum members. Members please call at 703.548.1789 to reserve your tickets. It is highly recommended to book tickets in advance as space is limited.

Story Time for Little Historians
Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street
Saturday, November 9
10 a.m.- 10:45 a.m.
Free

Dynamic storytellers use books written by and about African American people and other communities of color to engage with ages 5-8.

Veterans Day Tours
Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site, 4301 W. Braddock Road
Saturday, November 9
10 - 11 a.m.
$15, $12 for Historic Alexandria Members
Purchase tickets.

Tour Fort Ward this Veterans Day weekend and learn about the Defenses of Washington and one veteran's efforts to preserve its story. This specialty tour includes a walking tour of Fort Ward and its new exhibit, "Lewis Cass White: Preserving the Legacy of Fort Stevens."

A World War II Walking Tour of Alexandria
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street
Saturday, November 9
10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
$15
Purchase tickets.

Alexandria was a bustling town during the Second World War filled with servicemen and women and civilians contributing to the war effort. On this two-mile walk around Old Town, visit sites where history took place and buildings where notable Alexandrians, including a Tuskegee Airman and a member of the 101st Airborne, lived before serving their country. In addition, learn of the top-secret intelligence facility known as P.O. Box 1142.

This tour begins at Lee-Fendall and ends at the Torpedo Factory by the waterfront. The tour will last approximately 1.5 hours. Walking shoes and water are highly recommended. The tour will take place rain or shine.

Tickets are free for museum members. Questions? Please e-mail [email protected] or call the museum at 703.548.1789.

"The Gallant Young Carlisle of Alexandria": Remembering George William Carlyle
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 North Fairfax Street
Monday, November 11
2 - 3 p.m.
$8
Purchase tickets.

On this Veteran's Day we remembered our own George William Carlyle who was killed at the Battle of Eutaw Spring on September 8, 1781 at the age of 15. Tour the house with our own resident expert on George William and learn more about the teenager that Light Horse Harry Lee will recall in his memoirs as "the gallant young Carlisle of Alexandria". Reservations are recommended but not required.

Having trouble registering? Please call 703.549.2997 or email [email protected]

American Roots Music with the Ken & Brad Kolodner Quartet
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street
Thursday, November 14
7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.)
$30, $12 Ages 12-17
Purchase tickets.

The father-son team Ken & Brad Kolodner weave together a captivating soundscape on hammered dulcimer and clawhammer banjo blurring the lines of Old-Time, Bluegrass, and American Roots music. They are joined by bassist Alex Lacquement who locks everything together with his commanding presence and the dynamic multi-instrumentalist Rachel Eddy on fiddle and guitar. The quartet won 1st place in the Neo-Traditional Band Contest at the Appalachian Stringband Festival (Clifftop) in the summer of 2019. They released their fourth studio album Stony Run in March 2020, debuting at #4 on the Billboard Bluegrass Charts.

Discovering Alexandria Architecture Walking Tour
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 North Fairfax Street
Saturday, November 16
10 - 11:30 a.m.
$20
Purchase tickets.

Alexandria has grown from a small town in the 18th century to a bustling small city in the 21st century. Join us for a tour of Alexandria as we explore looking at the various Architectural styles that adorn the city streets and make it one of the best places to live and work.

Reservations are required as space is limited. Please wear comfortable shoes for this 1.5 hour guided tour. Tour is held rain or shine unless there is severe weather.

Having trouble registering? Please call 703.549.2997 or email [email protected].

Tables of Conscience Dinner
Saturday, November 16
6 p.m.
$125 donation per person
Purchase tickets.

Back by Popular Demand! A new round of Tables of Conscience book-themed dinners is scheduled to raise money for the 2025 scholarships in the names of Joseph McCoy and Benjamin Thomas. About a week before the dinner, those who reserved spots will receive an email with the name and address of the hosts. Please indicate at registration if you have any food allergies or strong preferences. Hosts will do their best to accommodate guest requests. Each reservation requires a $125 donation per person. The dinner's discussion book must be purchased separately from a local bookstore.

Discussion book: The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy: and the Path to a Shared American Future, by Robert P. Jones. The roots of white supremacy reach back to the 15th century according to author Robert P. Jones, who is also founder and president of the Public Religion Research Institute. This book explores the connection of past injustices and massacres perpetrated against native and Black Americans, while also examining current attempts to repair these historic wrongs.

Bienvenue Beaujolais
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
Thursday, November 21
7 p.m.
$70
Purchase tickets.

Join us for an evening of indulgence as we tour the diverse and delicious regions of France. The Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee has curated a special food and wine-tasting experience that will delight your taste buds and transport you to the heart of France. We will enjoy the anticipated 2024 Beaujolais Nouveau and then explore beyond the Beaujolais region to showcase some of the finest French wines. To complement the wines, we will feature French cuisine, taking a tour through the flavors of France, featuring charcuterie, cheeses, and other delicacies. You will also receive a signature wine-tasting glass. For guests 21 and over.

Meaningful Conversations: African-American History
Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street
Thursday, November 21
7 - 8 p.m.
Free

Join us as we resume our meaningful conversations that explore and celebrate the diversity of cultures and peoples in our area, address the attitudes and behaviors that still divide us, and seek remedies grounded in the recognition that we are one interconnected, interdependent human family. The November 21 discussion will focus on Protecting African American History.

Alexandria Cider Festival
Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
Saturday, November 23
1 - 5 p.m.
Pre-Sale tickets $55 November 1-22, and $25 for designated drivers. Online sales end at 5 p.m. on Saturday, November 22. After that, tickets can be purchased at the door for $65.
Purchase tickets.

Celebrate Virginia Cider Week with a special tasting event on the grounds of historic Lloyd House in Old Town Alexandria. Event ticket includes cider tastings, a souvenir glass, live music, tavern games, access to a food truck, and a little history too! Online sales end at 5 p.m. on Saturday, November 22. After that, tickets can be purchased at the door for $65. Dress for the weather - the event is outdoors! Festival will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. Proceeds from the Cider Festival will benefit the Historic Alexandria Museums.

Family Holiday Magic Show
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street
Wednesday, December 4
7 p.m.
Free, but encouraged to bring unwrapped toys to donate to the Fund for Alexandria's Child Holiday Sharing Program.
Pre-register.

Join us at the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum for a free holiday magic show, performed by professional magicians who are members of Ring 50, the DC-area chapter of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. Magic is a part of The Lyceum's history and 19th-century magicians like Signor Blitz and Wyman the Wizard performed there in the 1840s. This modern family-friendly show will be geared toward children ages 5 to 12, but all are welcome. The show is free, but please bring new, unwrapped toys to donate to the Fund for Alexandria's Child Holiday Sharing Program, which benefits kids who might otherwise go without holiday gifts this year. For more information, email [email protected]. Space is limited so please reserve a space at Alexandriava.gov/Shop.

Support Historic Alexandria

Historic Alexandria receives City operational funding to support its mission; however, these resources do not cover the full scope of the department's strategic goals and projects. Donations, special revenue, and grant funding help supplement staff, conservation work, and educational programs. Please consider making a gift today.

Historic Alexandria Museum Hours

Plan your Visit

• Alexandria Archaeology Museum
  Tuesdays through Fridays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sundays, 1-5 p.m.
• Alexandria Black History Museum
  Thursdays and Fridays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sundays, 1-5 p.m.
• Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum
  Thursdays and Fridays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sundays, 1-5 p.m.
• Fort Ward Museum
  Thursdays and Fridays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sundays, 1-5 p.m.

• Freedom House Museum
  Saturdays, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sundays, 1 - 5 p.m.

  Freedom House is open on weekends only through early January. Group visits available by special appointment.

• Friendship Firehouse Museum
  Saturday, November 9, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Gadsby's Tavern Museum
  Thursdays & Fridays, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sundays, 1 - 5 p.m., closed Monday - Wednesday.

• Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
  Wednesdays-Fridays, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sundays 1 - 5 p.m., closed Mondays & Tuesdays.

Visit our website and follow us on social media to discover new things about your hometown. For more information, visit alexandriava.gov/Historic. Admission to City of Alexandria museums is complimentary for city residents.

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact Nicole Quinn at [email protected] or call 703.746.4554, Virginia Relay 711.

This Week in Alexandria's History

More from This Day in History

On November 6, 1944, ground was broken for the construction of the Alexandria Health Center in the 500 block of North St. Asaph Street. Before this facility was built, local health department staff worked in basement offices at City Hall. The Health Department moved to the West End in 2004.

Upcoming Commission and Committee Events

Commissions Supporting Historic Alexandria

• November 4 Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee
  Sister Cities Conference Room 1101, City Hall
  7-9 p.m.

• November 13 Alexandria Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission (AHRPC)
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  8-9:15 a.m.

• November 18 Schools and Libraries Action Committee
  Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street
  6-7 p.m.

• November 18 George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  7-9 p.m.

• November 18 Alexandria Sister City Committee Dundee and Helsingborg
  Sister Cities Conference Room 1101, City Hall
  7-8:30 p.m.

• November 18 Public Records Advisory Commission (PRAC)
  Archives and Records Center, 801 S. Payne Street
  7:30 p.m.

• November 19 Historic Alexandria Resources Commission (HARC)
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  7-9 p.m.

• November 20 Alexandria Archaeological Commission (AAC)
  Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street
  7-9 p.m.
  

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