Alexandria Archaeology Museum To Reopen In Late August

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The Alexandria Archaeology Museum will reopen on Friday, Aug. 28 at 11 a.m., becoming the third Office of Historic Alexandria museum to do so after pandemic-related closures.

The Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum reopened on July 10, and Gadsby's Tavern Museum reopened on Aug. 7. Other Historic Alexandria museums and all public programs are closed until further notice.

Alexandria Archaeology Museum will operate at 25 percent capacity to accommodate physical distancing. It is located on the third floor of the Torpedo Factory Art Center, at 105 North Union Street, and admission is free. Hours are Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The museum's newest exhibit is "Preserving Alexandria’s Maritime Heritage," featuring a 1:12 scale model of the Hotel Indigo Site ship and an artifact case showing Alexandria’s links to the world. The exhibit recounts the story of the vessel from excavation to preservation, and contextualizes Alexandria’s role within the broader 18th century maritime world.

The museum has implemented enhanced cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch areas, provided hand sanitizer and tissues, restricting visitation to seven people at a time, installed plexiglass guards and require staff to wear face coverings.

Visitors to the museums are asked to wash hands upon arrival at restrooms or use the hand sanitizing station at the entrance. Face coverings are required, except for children under 10 and people with health conditions that do not allow them to wear face coverings. Visitors should follow one-way traffic patterns, maintain physical distancing and avoid touching exhibits.

For more updates on museums, visit www.alexandriava.gov/Historic.