Events

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Want more than the self-guided visit? Purchase your tickets in advance for a guided tour of Gadsby’s Tavern Museum! With your tour guide, you’ll explore life in the new Republic and learn more about the many people of the tavern. These 45-minute tours begin on the quarter after the hour. Recommended for ages 8 and older.

For City Residents, OHA members, and others who receive free guided tour admission, please call the Museum directly at 703.746.4242 to reserve your time slot in advance. If leaving a voicemail, include preferred date and time of tour, name, number of spaces, phone number, and email address. The time is reserved once you receive confirmation.
Purchase your tickets in advance for a guided tour of the Apothecary! These 45-minute tours begin every hour on the quarter after the hour, and includes first and second floors with an expert guide. Recommended for ages 8 and older.

For City Residents, OHA members, and others who receive free guided tour admission, please call the Museum directly at 703.746.3852 to reserve your time slot in advance. If leaving a voicemail, include preferred date and time of tour, name, number of spaces, phone number, and email address. The time is reserved once you receive confirmation.
While Women's History Month might be over, Women's HIstory never stops, so we're keeping it going with a women's history themed game night. $10 cover includes tavern games and a themed presentation with the crowd-favorite jeopardy game featuring Alexandria's Women's History. Cash bar available (alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks only). Mini-talk and jeopardy start around 7:30 p.m. Please note that this event takes place up one flight of stairs in the historic Assembly Room of Gadsby's Tavern Museum
The Freedom House Museum is what remains of a large complex dedicated to trafficking thousands of Black men, women, and children from 1828 - 1861. This Museum honors the lives and experiences of the enslaved and free Black people who lived in and were trafficked through Alexandria. Slavery, race-based laws, and racial terror erased and diminished African American history and contributions from the national narrative; however, this Museum seeks to reframe white supremacist history.

Admission is required to visit the 3 floors of the Freedom House Museum. We encourage you to purchase tickets in advance and not at the door, particularly for larger groups.

This program is designed for Cadette Girl Scouts who are completing the "It's Your Story--Tell It" Media journey. Evening activities complete the monitor award and begin the influence and cultivate awards. Program includes exploring the Apothecary Museum, guided discussions, and creation of a Public Service Announcment.



Please note the following prior to purchasing tickets:


-This is not a drop-off event. All adults must purchase tickets.


-Troops must purchase minimum of two adults per troop for groups of 8 or more and one adult for smaller groups or individuals.


- No tag-alongs at the event


-Maximum troop size of 16 including adults. Larger groops will be divided.


-Troop leaders are responsible for buying the Girl Scout award separately.


-Activity patch is available for purchase in gift shop at the end of the event for $3 each.





Come explore the sinister side of medicine on the Apothecary Museum's Poisons Tour. This one-hour tour explores several different types of poisons, their historic uses at the Apothecary, and what we know today. Recommended for ages 18 and up. Tour is 11:00am-12:00pm. Please arrive between 10:45-11:00am as the museum is not open to the public until 1:00pm and the doors will be locked when the tour begins at 11:00am.
Learn about the muggle botanical science that inspired the potions and herbology of Harry Potter's wizarding world on a tour of this 19th century apothecary, and make your own magical potion! Recommended for ages 8 and up. Children must be accompanied by a ticket-holding adult.
The City of Alexandria's Sister Cities Committee invites you to attend its annual signature event! Join us for an evening of Scotch and camaraderie as whisky enthusiasts lead a guided tasting across the five whisky regions of Scotland. This informative program will help you learn all about the rich tapestry that is Scotch whisky, enables you to sample five different whiskies from across Scotland, and provides an opportunity to ask questions and share personal insights. VIP ticket holders will be provided two additional samples of distinctive and hard-to-find whiskies (visit Alexandriava.gov/shop for the link to the VIP ticket option). Hors d'oeuvres will be provided. For non-whisky drinkers, wine and non-alcoholic beverages will be available. Ticket holders will take home with them their very own souvenir Glencairn glass to continue their exploration of the diverse and complex world of Scotch. A raffle will take place at the end of the event for fun prizes. Raffle tickets will be sold for cash at the event. All proceeds from the event aid the Alexandria Sister Cities Committee mission to support the educational and cultural exchanges between Alexandria, VA and her sister cities of Dundee, Scotland and Helsingborg, Sweden. Tickets are limited and expected to sell out. No tickets will be sold at the event.
The City of Alexandria's Sister Cities Committee invites you to attend its annual signature event! Join us for an evening of Scotch and camaraderie as whisky enthusiasts lead a guided tasting across the five whisky regions of Scotland. This informative program will help you learn all about the rich tapestry that is Scotch whisky, enables you to sample five different whiskies from across Scotland, and provides an opportunity to ask questions and share personal insights.VIP ticket holders will be provided two additional samples of distinctive and hard-to-find whiskies. Hors d'oeuvres will be provided. For non-whisky drinkers, wine and non-alcoholic beverages will be available. Ticket holders will take home with them their very own souvenir Glencairn glass to continue their exploration of the diverse and complex world of Scotch. A raffle will take place at the end of the event for fun prizes. Raffle tickets will be sold for cash at the event. All proceeds from the event aid the Alexandria Sister Cities Committee mission to support the educational and cultural exchanges between Alexandria, VA and her sister cities of Dundee, Scotland and Helsingborg, Sweden. Tickets are limited and expected to sell out. No tickets will be sold at the event.
Explore Gadsby's Tavern Museum top to bottom, including spaces rarely opened to the public, and understand how the buildings have changed over time. Wear comfortable shoes and bring your camera! Please note this tour involves ascending and descending multiple sets of stairs, including into the rarely on view fourth floor!



This guided tour highlights the Defenses of Washington and one veteran’s efforts to preserve its story. The tour begins inside with the special exhibit, “Lewis Cass White: Preserving the Legacy of Fort Stevens,” then continues outside to see the earthwork fort. Please note this tour invovles walking on outdoor paths and takes place rain or shine.
Midwives did more than deliver babies! Explore the role, knowledge, and challenges of Midwives through the lens of the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum and its collection of historic medicines and archives. Content note: this tour will cover the complex history around contraception, abortion, and miscarriage; recommended for ages 18 and older. Guests should arrive between 6:15 and 6:30, tour begins promptly at 6:30 p.m. and late guests will not be able to be admitted. Please note tour includes ascending and descending stairs.
Inspired by the musical Hamilton, learn how the paths of Washington, Lafayette, Jefferson, Madison, and Burr all intersected with this local tavern. Includes discussion of the issues they faced and how their choices impacted local citizens. Please note tour involves ascending and descending stairs. Arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to tour time to check in. No need to print tickets--your name will be on a list after purchasing.

Tour this historic apothecary and learn about a few of the herbal medicines featured in Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series of novels from cascara to dauco seeds. The tour also touches on the role of apothecaries and women in medicine in the 18th century. Recommended for ages 18 and up. Tour is 11 a.m.-noon. Please arrive between 10:45-11:00 a.m. as the museum is not open to the public until 1 p.m. and the doors will be locked when the tour begins. Please note the tour involves ascending and descending stairs.
Archaeology Summer Camp provides an opportunity for 13-15 year-olds to work on a real archaeological dig. Campers spend a week helping Alexandria’s City archaeologists excavate a real site while learning professional excavating, recording, and artifact processing methods. Uncover Alexandria’s buried past while protecting the City’s valuable historic resources.

Space is limited. Camp applications must be submitted online at alexandriava.gov/Archaeology. Refunds cannot be made after May 2, 2025.
In honor of Harry’s birthday, the Apothecary Museum is offering a special guided tour for families (and adults who missed their Hogwarts’ letter) that will explore the old Apothecary and the historic muggle medicines that inspired the Herbology and Potions of Harry’s wizarding world. At the end of the tour test your skills and make your own potion to try at home.

Each timed-entry will be a separate guided tour, so be sure to purchase your group’s tickets for only one entry time. Due to the small spaces in the museum, the capacity for each tour is 10 people. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Everyone must purchase a ticket, adults and children. Touring the museum involves ascending and descending one flight of stairs. Photography welcome. This tour sells out quickly, so purchase in advance!