See Alexandria Black History Month Events, Experiences Planned During February

ALEXANDRIA, VA — February marks Black History Month, a time to reflect on the contributions of African Americans to history in Alexandria and the U.S. Alexandria will recognize Black History Month with various events and experiences.

One of the new experience highlights in February is the recent launch of the African American Waterfront Heritage Trail's southern route. The trail, spearheaded by the African American Heritage Trail Committee and Office of Historic Alexandria, documents the contributions of African Americans, both free and enslaved, to Alexandria's waterfront history. The northern route had been launched in 2021. Visitors can access information about the route through StoryMap from a smartphone while walking along the route.

Another event highlight will be the Black History Bus Tour from Councilmember John Taylor Chapman's Manumission Tour Company. The 90-minute tour will take visitors to different African American historic sites around Alexandria.

Black History Month is also an opportune time to visit the Freedom House Museum, a National Historic Landmark on the site of what was once a slave trade complex. Last year, the museum reopened with three new exhibits after renovations. Admission is $5 per adult, $3 per child 5 to 12 or free for City of Alexandria residents.

Here are the ways to recognize Black History Month in Alexandria:

Martin Luther King, Jr., Poster Exhibition: Through February

Vola Lawson Library at Alexandria City Hall, 301 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

See entries from the 2023 Martin Luther King, Jr. Poster Exhibition on view in the Lawson Lobby of City Hall. More than 120 drawings from Alexandria City Public School students are featured.

African American Waterfront Heritage Trail: Ongoing

Throughout Old Town Alexandria

Check out the new southern route of the African American Waterfront Heritage Trail and complete it with the northern route. The two routes document the contributions of free and enslaved African Americans to the Alexandria waterfront. Use the StoryMap online feature on your smartphone to access route information during your walk.

Our Faces in Film Series: Various dates in February

Charles E. Beatley, Jr., Central Library, 5005 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22304

All month long for Black History Month, Charles Beatley Central Library will show films featuring African American lead characters. Join for films and snacks.

• Feb. 3, 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: “Brown Sugar”
• Feb. 10, 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: “The Wiz”
• Feb. 14, 6 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.: “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella”
• Feb. 17, 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: “Soul”
• Feb. 24, 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. “Harriet”

Storytime in the Reading Garden: Black Authors and Illustrators: Feb. 6, 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Charles E. Beatley, Jr., Central Library, 5005 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22304

Bring your children to Beatley Central Library's beautiful outdoor Reading Garden for stories, songs and movement. Children ages 0-5 are welcome with an adult. Please dress for the weather. Yoga mats are available to sit on. Stop by the Children's Desk for a ticket for entry, available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 10:30 a.m. Sign up to receive cancellation notices in the event of inclement weather.

Manumission Tour Company Black History Bus Tour: Feb. 11, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Admission: $30 per person

Tour meets at the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Ride with Manumission Tour Company on a 90-minute guided bus tour to visit various African American historic sites in Alexandria. You will hear stories of both enslaved and free African Americans prior to the Civil War as well as understand the stories behind some of Alexandria's most well-known African American historic sites. Sites will include the Alexandria National Cemetery, Alfred Street Baptist Church, Shiloh Baptist Church, Church Alley, the African American Heritage Park, the Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery, Barrett Library and more.

Story Time for Young Historians: Feb. 11, 11 a.m.

Charles E. Beatley, Jr., Central Library, 5005 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22304

Learn about African American history and icons with stories and activities to inspire young, curious minds. Story Time with Young Historians is a monthly program, historically held at the Alexandria Black History Museum. After being held virtually during the pandemic, events are back in person. The event is appropriate for children ages 5 to 8, and masks are required.

History of African Americans at Arlington National Cemetery: Feb. 11, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

African Americans have been connected to Arlington National Cemetery since its origins as a plantation through the Freedman's Village to the trailblazers of the Civil Rights Movement. Learn about the connection of African Americans to Arlington National Cemetery from National Park Service Supervisory Ranger Kenya Finley-Jean, of the Civil War Defenses of Washington Division. Registration is recommended.

Lecture: Exposing the Alexandria Slave Pen: Feb. 13, 7 p.m.

Alexandria’s History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Join City of Alexandria archaeologist Dr. Benjamin Skolnik as he explores the visual history of 1315 Duke Street in Alexandria, Virginia. Now the Freedom House Museum, the site was once the location where several 19th century dealers trafficked enslaved men, women and children to the Deep South. Dr. Skolnik will look at period photographs and illustrations of the building and share what they tell us about the building and the businesses which operated from 1315 Duke Street.

Lecture + Short Film: Fort Reno Park: Feb. 16, 7 p.m.

Alexandria’s History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

At Fort Reno Park, near Tenleytown, an important chapter in the history of DC's Black community is barely visible to the modern-day visitor. Fort Reno was a bustling neighborhood in which men, women, and children lived, died, loved, worked, worshipped, and played. Brian Taylor (author of "Fighting for Citizenship,") Miriam Gusevich (Catholic University) and Martin Paddack (Howard University) will share their work on the history of the Fort Reno neighborhood and their efforts to bring this history to the public. It builds on Brian Taylor’s "On the Fort: The Fort Reno Community of Washington, D.C., 1861-1951," the official National Park Service report, and benefits from Gusevich’s expertise in urban design and Paddack’s work in the field of architecture.

Concert: Washington Revels Jubilee Voices: Feb. 18, 2 p.m.

Alexandria’s History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

The Washington Revels Jubilee Voices ensemble is committed to preserving African American history and traditions through songs and stories of struggle and perseverance, trials and triumphs. Established in 2010, the group performs regularly in the DC area, singing, sharing and learning the stories of the people in those communities.

African Americans and Clara Barton: Feb. 21, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Virtual through Zoom

Join Park Ranger Kevin Patti from the National Park Service to learn about Clara Barton's work with African Americans during the Civil War and with the American Red Cross. This talk will highlight her work with the African American soldiers of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment as they stormed Fort Wagner, her long-standing advocacy for African American rights and history of the American Red Cross relief effort Barton led to help African Americans affected by the Sea Islands South Carolina hurricane of 1893.

Black History Cooking Demonstration: Feb. 23, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Charles E. Beatley, Jr., Central Library, 5005 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22304

The creator and chef of Black Folk Food will prepare a handful of dishes, share a brief history and demonstrate what makes the cuisine so amazing.

Black History Live with Culture Queen: Feb. 26, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Charles E. Beatley, Jr., Central Library, 5005 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22304

Experience original and interactive music, movement and storytelling to help your royal children celebrate the kings and queens of African American history. With a renewed sense of confidence, cultural awareness and curiosity for exploring the world around them, kids will leave proudly exclaiming, “I like the me I see!” Note that this program will be held indoors. Arrive early, as space is limited.