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About Old Town Alexandria, VA

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Alexandria’s History

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Alexandria’s history reaches back more than 13,000 years. From the first Native Americans to settle here, to the bustling city it is today, the timeline of Alexandria’s history is filled with events that helped shape the United States of America into the country it is today.

Alexandria was founded in 1749 by Scottish merchants and was named after Scotsman John Alexander. Alexandria is known as being the adopted hometown of America’s first president, George Washington. As a teenager, George Washington surveyed the city. Later, he owned a townhouse here in Old Town. You can see a replica of the townhouse today on Cameron Street. He also worshiped at Christ Church (you can tour the site and sit in his pew – number 60), and frequented Gadsby’s Tavern.

The prosperity of Alexandria and the United States was inextricably linked to the work of enslaved and free African Americans. A horrific part of Alexandria’s history is that, prior to America’s Civil War, Alexandria served as one of the largest domestic slave trading ports in America. Most of Alexandria’s leading businesses and properties could not have operated without the unpaid labor of the enslaved men, women, and children who lived and worked here.

Yet to walk through the streets of Alexandria is to walk through America’s timeline of African-American history from colonial times to the Civil War and from Civil Rights to today. You can learn empowering stories of individuals and communities that overcame adversity and even pushed our society forward as you explore the city’s historic sites and take part in walking tours from Manumission Tour Company.

The best way to learn about Alexandria’s history is by purchasing a Key to the City Attractions Pass. Explore 9 historic sites for $20 plus receive 40% off admission to George Washington’s Mount VernonPotomac Riverboat Company by Hornblower and the tall ship Providence.

There are also numerous tour companies that offer in-depth looks at Alexandria’s history. From walking tours to boat tours to bike tours, immerse yourself in Alexandria’s history. Want to choose your own adventure? Follow our self-guided tours of Old Town, Alexandria’s African-American history, Mount Vernon and more.

Take a Tour

Featured
A man in colonial attire holding a lantern welcomes four casually dressed adults at the open gates of a historic brick building at dusk, with a glowing light from the entrance and signs on the gate pillars.
Alexandria’s Original Ghost & Graveyard Tour, Celebrating 50 Years: Follow an 18th-century costumed guide by lantern light through the charming...
221 King Street Alexandria, Virginia
A book titled Classic Restaurants of Alexandria by Hope Nelson is propped against a beige wooden window sill. The cover features photos of restaurant signs and historic buildings.
From seaport pubs to international cuisine, Alexandria’s culinary history runs deep. George Washington danced in the ballroom of Gadsby’s Tavern,...
Old Town Alexandria, Virginia
A dark brick building with tall windows and double green doors stands against a dramatic sky filled with purple and pink clouds, creating a mysterious and moody atmosphere. Trees partially frame the scene.
Alexandria Ghost Tours take you on a chilling walk through this historic colonial town, where echoes of the Revolutionary and...
Old Town Alexandria, Virginia
A brick-paved plaza with benches, streetlamps, American flags, flowering hanging baskets, and a large brick building with an American flag, under a blue sky at dusk.
Alexandria History Tours offers private and public tours exploring the Revolutionary War, George Washington, early American commerce, the Civil War,...
Old Town Alexandria, Virginia
A red brick church with a large stained glass window above double doors, an orange awning, and a historical marker reading “Beulah Baptist Church” in front. Cars are parked to the left, and a tree shades part of the building.
African Americans escaping slavery found refuge in Alexandria after Union troops occupied the city in 1861. The Rev. Clement “Clem”...
320 S. Washington Street Alexandria, Virginia
Four people wearing helmets stand with bicycles on a city street, smiling at the camera. The bikes have blue bags labeled “Bike and Roll.” Brick buildings and trees are visible in the background.
Bike to Mount Vernon. Rent a bike through Bike and Roll, Capital Bikeshare, Pedego Electric Bikes or Wheel and Nuts...
106 N. Lee Street (Unlimited Biking) OR 210 N. Lee Street, Unit 102 (Pedego Electric Bikes) Alexandria, Virginia
Four people sit at a table in a bar or restaurant, smiling and clinking glasses of beer together in a cheerful toast. The atmosphere is lively and friendly.
At Blue Fern Travel – Fork & Fizz Tours, we believe travel should give back to the local community while...
4220 Nicholson Street Hyattsville, MD 20781
A group of friends sitting at a table in a bar clinking glasses of beer, smiling and enjoying each other’s company.
Runs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays beginning at 11:30 a.m. and lasting three hours. Meet your guide and the rest of...
Starting location provided at time of ticket purchase
People walk along a waterfront boardwalk near docked boats and a large building with an American flag. The scene is lively, with clear skies and groups of people enjoying the area.
City Cruises provides water taxi service from Old Town Alexandria to Washington, D.C. via water taxis to The Wharf, National...
105 N. Union Street Alexandria, Virginia
A red trolley drives down a tree-lined street with shops, pedestrians, and lampposts on either side. People walk on sidewalks and cross the street under bright daylight. In the distance, water is visible.
COMING SPRING, 2025! Step into a world where the past meets the present. Get ready to embark on an adventure...
1050 N. Fayette Street Alexandria, Virginia
Featured
A brick mausoleum with arched entrance, flanked by two tall stone pillars and black iron fencing; American and blue flags stand outside, with trees and a partly cloudy sky in the background.
George Washington’s Mount Vernon is the riverside home of our nation’s first president, George Washington. The estate includes a Mansion,...
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway Mount Vernon, VA 22121
A group of people stand outdoors on a sunny day, listening to a guide near a fenced grave site with a tall obelisk monument and cross, surrounded by green grass and trees.
Discover Alexandria’s Hidden Past with Gravestone Stories Step into Alexandria’s most remarkable outdoor history museum—the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex—on a...
Hamilton Avenue & Wilkes Street Alexandria, Virginia

Visit Historic Attractions

A white helmet hangs on a wall above a large African American Hall of Fame display, surrounded by framed photos, posters, and memorabilia.
The African American Hall of Fame is a visually-stimulating account of the movers and shakers who made Alexandria the city...
Charles Houston Recreation Center 901 Wythe Street Alexandria, Virginia
Several people gather in a circular stone plaza with tall, abstract metal sculptures resembling trees, surrounded by lush greenery and trees under a partly cloudy sky.
“Truths that Rise from the Roots Remembered” is the name of the bronze tree sculpture here that honors the contributions...
Holland Lane between Duke St. & Eisenhower Ave. Alexandria, Virginia
Glass-walled entry to the Alexandria Archaeology Museum, with exhibits and displays visible inside. A tall sign with the museum’s name stands at the entrance, and directional signs hang from the ceiling above.
Step right into the museum’s laboratory where archaeologists reconstruct Alexandria’s history, fragment by fragment. The museum’s exhibits highlight the process...
105 N. Union Street, Torpedo Factory Art Center Third Floor, #327 Alexandria, Virginia
A red brick building with white columns at the entrance, displaying a banner above the door. A sign on the right reads “Alexandria Black History Museum.” Shrubs line the walkway to the entrance.
Originally the segregated library for Alexandria’s African American residents, the museum documents the local and national history, culture and contributions...
902 Wythe Street Alexandria, Virginia
A large brick building with a tall steeple and a central fountain, adorned with a large American flag, surrounded by trees and people sitting on benches in a sunny plaza.
This City Hall was built in 1871-74, with Market Square and the Colonial-inspired additions that face the plaza built in...
301 King Street Alexandria, Virginia
Featured
A man in colonial attire holding a lantern welcomes four casually dressed adults at the open gates of a historic brick building at dusk, with a glowing light from the entrance and signs on the gate pillars.
Alexandria’s Original Ghost & Graveyard Tour, Celebrating 50 Years: Follow an 18th-century costumed guide by lantern light through the charming...
221 King Street Alexandria, Virginia
A museum exhibit with blue display panels featuring Civil War-era photos, maps, and text. A glass case in front holds artifacts including documents and a rifle. The exhibit is titled An Occupied City: The Civil War Years.
The 1839 Greek Revival building serves as the City’s history museum. An ongoing exhibition tells the story of Alexandria, once...
201 S. Washington Street Alexandria, Virginia
A brick-paved plaza with benches, streetlamps, American flags, flowering hanging baskets, and a large brick building with an American flag, under a blue sky at dusk.
Alexandria History Tours offers private and public tours exploring the Revolutionary War, George Washington, early American commerce, the Civil War,...
Old Town Alexandria, Virginia
Black and white drawing of an open book and stacked books with the words Alexandria Library above and below the illustration.
Founded as a subscription library in 1794. Alexandria’s public library since 1937.
717 Queen Street Alexandria, Virginia
Rows of white headstones fill a cemetery enclosed by a white picket fence, with trees and a distant building visible in the background under an overcast sky.
One of 12 sites created and dedicated by President Lincoln in 1862 to serve as military burial grounds. The cemetery...
1450 Wilkes Street Alexandria, Virginia
Two people wearing face masks talk in a room with bookshelves, a window, and wooden beams. One person has a green bandana and crossed arms, while the other holds a piece of paper and gestures.
Alexandria Seaport Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization located on Old Town’s waterfront which improves the lives of young people...
Alexandria Waterfront 0 Thompsons Alley Alexandria, Virginia
People in traditional Scottish attire play bagpipes in a grassy field during an outdoor event. Tents and trees are visible in the background, and a crowd watches the performance.
The Ballyshaners, Inc. were founded in 1980 by a small group of dedicated volunteers for the explicit purpose of organizing...
P.O. Box 320722 Alexandria, Virginia

Explore More

Historic Attractions and Museums

Carlyle House

Black History & Culture

A bronze statue of two women in 19th-century clothing stands hand in hand, set outdoors with greenery, a modern building, and a blue sky with clouds in the background.

Alexandria Tours

A group of five people walk through a brick gate with a tour guide in a white shirt at the entrance of Carlyle House, surrounded by trees and historical signage.

Great Walks in Alexandria

A couple holds hands while walking down a sunlit, tree-lined cobblestone street in a residential neighborhood with American flags on houses.

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