May 2018 Alexandria Event Calendar
Historic Alexandria Attics and Alleys Tours
Saturdays in May 2018 from 9 a.m.-noon
Admission: $35; advanced reservations required
Departs from:
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden
614 Oronoco St.
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
134 N. Royal St.
703-746-4242
www.alexandriava.gov/gadsbystavern
The curious are invited to visit rarely seen spaces at four of Alexandria’s historic sites on this special three-hour walking tour of Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden and Carlyle House Historic Park. Tickets can be reserved online at shop.alexandriava.gov.
The 17th Biennial Ikebana Exhibit
May 1st-6th
Admission: Free
The Art League Gallery
Torpedo Factory Art Center
105 N. Union St.
703-683-2323
Art and nature come together as The Art League welcomes back the Washington, D.C. branch of The Sogetsu School for our 17th Biennial Ikebana Show. Join us at Art on the Rocks on May 4 and sip cocktails inspired by the Ikebana installations! Recognized as a sculptural form of art, Ikebana, the art of Japanese flower arranging, has over 300 schools of thought.
Art on the Rocks
May 4th – 7:30-10 p.m.
Admission: $55 each
The Art League Gallery
Torpedo Factory Art Center
105 N. Union St.
703-683-2323
The Art League is challenging local mixologists to each select an installation from their Biennial Ikebana Show as inspiration to create the most artistic cocktail and appetizer pairing and then compete for the title of “Art on the Rocks” champion. Art on the Rocks ticket holders will get to sample all of the delicious pairings and vote for their favorite during the event. A panel of experts will crown the winners of the most creative cocktail, appetizer, and artwork pairing.
Carlyle’s Perfectly Paired Chocolate & Wine Tasting
May 5th – 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Admission: $40
Carlyle House Historic Park
121 N. Fairfax St.
703-549-2997
www.carlylehouse.org
What goes better with wine than chocolate? Join Potomac Chocolate on the Magnolia Terrace for an evening of locally made chocolates paired with delicious wines. There will also be small snacks that guests can enjoy between their wine and chocolate. Tours of the house will run from 6:30-7p.m. with the tasting being promptly at 7 p.m. Tickets are available online. Ages 21 and over only. Registration required, no refunds.
Apothecary Museum Geek Tours: Outlandish Tour
May 6th – 11 a.m.-noon
Admission: $15
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
105 S. Fairfax St.
703-746-3852
www.alexandriava.gov
Learn about the role of 18th century female healers on this tour that focuses on the herbal medicines featured in Diana Gabaldon’s celebrated Outlander series of novels. Find everything from cascara to dauco seeds. Tour is from 11 a.m. to noon and costs $15 per person; tour is recommended for adults only.
History by the Glass: Gin
May 11 – 7-9 p.m.
Admission: $50 per person
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
134 N. Royal St.
703-746-4242
www.alexandriava.gov/gadsbystavern
Want to know more about the intersection of history and drinks? Then look no further than History by the Glass. Enjoy drinks at the tavern, which historically served a wide variety of beverages, and learn about the history behind them.
Mother’s Day Tea at Carlyle House
May 13th at 2:30 p.m.
Admission: $45 per adult; $25 per child ages 6-12; free for children under 5
Carlyle House Historic Park
121 N. Fairfax St.
703-549-2997
www.carlylehouse.org
Treat your mother, grandmother, or special woman in your life to an elegant afternoon tea. Relax in the beautiful setting of our Magnolia Terrace and enjoy personalized tableside service and scrumptious food catered by Calling Card Events for an unforgettable day. Registration required no refunds.
Free Mother’s Day Tours
May 13th various times
Admission: free for mothers; $5 for all other adults; $3 children ages 5-12
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
105 S. Fairfax St.
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
134 N. Royal St.
Friendship Firehouse Museum
107 S. Alfred St.
www.alexandriava.gov
The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum (1-4:45 p.m.), Gadsby’s Tavern Museum (1-5 p.m.) and the Friendship Firehouse Museum (1-4 p.m.) are pleased to offer free tours on Mother’s Day for all visiting mothers!
Facetime with History: Dolley Madison
May 13th – 4 p.m.
Admission: free for mothers; $5 for all other adults; $3 children ages 5-12
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
134 N. Royal St.
703-746-4242
www.alexandriava.gov/gadsbystavern
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum is pleased to offer free tours on Mother’s Day for all visiting mothers! Treat Mom to a tour of the historic tavern and City Hotel made famous by John Gadsby. Notable visitors (other than your beloved Mother) include George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. As part of the second Sunday Facetime series, guests will meet Dolley Madison as they journey through the tavern, included with admission. Self-guided tours available anytime. Guided tours at 2 and 4 p.m.
Soldier-led Tours of Fort Ward for Armed Forces Day
May 19th – 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Admission: Free; donations welcome
Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site
4301 W. Braddock Rd.
703-746-4848
www.alexandriava.gov/fortward
An interpreter portraying a Union soldier will discuss the construction and history of Fort Ward and army life in the Defenses of Washington. Tours are 90 minutes each and begin in the museum.
Civil War Firefighting Walking Tour
May 19th – 1-3 p.m.
Admission: $6 for adults; $4 ages 10-17
Friendship Firehouse Museum
107 S. Alfred St.
703-746-4994
www.alexandriava.gov
When Virginia joined the Confederacy, Union troops occupied Alexandria and most municipal functions were assumed by the U.S. Army. The “We’ve Been Burned: Alexandria Firefighters during the Civil War” walking tour explores firefighting during the occupation. How were volunteer fire companies treated by Federal authorities? Were firefighters allowed out after curfew? What happened to the firehouses? These questions will be answered as participants visit sites of four of the five fire houses, and learn what happened if there was a fire. For age 10 and older.
Exhibit Opening: A Living Memorial: Honoring our Veterans
May 26th-28th
Admission: $5 per adult
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
134 N. Royal St.
703-746-4242
www.alexandriava.gov/gadsbystavern
In 1929, the newly formed American Legion Post #24 purchased the buildings now known as Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, restoring them in honor of World War I veterans. As part of the World War I Centennial Commemoration, see how the museum looked under the care of the American Legion and hear about the contributions Post #24 still makes to the City of Alexandria. Whether its 1929 or 2018, home or abroad, these men and women embody the idea of service.
Lecture: Right Hand Man? Alexander Hamilton’s Relationship With George Washington: The Musical vs. the Reality
May 31st at 7:30 p.m.
Admission: $12 per person; $10 for Society members and volunteers
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
134 N. Royal St.
703-746-4242
www.alexandriava.gov/gadsbystavern
Professor Peter Henriques contends the collaboration between George Washington and Alexander Hamilton was the most important in the founding of our nation. His lecture will address the nature of their relationship, what caused Hamilton to resign from Washington’s staff during the War and how did Washington respond? He will also answer this burning question: How accurate is the portrayal of their relationship in the musical, Hamilton?
Find more spring events at www.visitalexandriava.com/spring.