Friends of Alexandria Archaeology supports events for people of all ages interested Alexandria's rich past.
For information about present or past events, contact us.
August 24
6 to 8 pm
O’Connells Irish Bar, 112 King St., Alexandria
Complimentary appetizers, cash bar
PLEASE RSVP with this Link
Come to the first floor of the Torpedo Factory—Wednesday and Thursday, 10 to 6; Friday and Saturday, 11 to 5, or Sunday, 1 to 6.
View ship construction through the eyes of maritime archaeologists in SeeWorthy, a new exhibit from Alexandria Archaeology highlighting the technology used to digitally reconstruct historic vessels. Recent development along the waterfront has led to significant discoveries by archaeologists, including the remains of four historic ships. These remnants have been laser scanned to create models showing what they would have looked like in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Scale models of the three historic vessels from the Robinson Landing Site will be on view in the new SeeWorthy exhibit on the first floor of the Torpedo Factory Art Center. Visit between April 1 and June 5 to find out how archaeologists use these digital and physical models to compare ship construction and to answer questions about the age and use of the vessels.
Test your knowledge for fun, prizes, and knowing you are part of the Alexandria archaeological community, wherever you are.
We’ll also share a recipe for a historically appropriate adult beverage.
Free, but registration required:
Daniel O’Connells Irish Bar, 112 King Street
Join fellow archaeology and history lovers for a casual evening of conversation (and a VERY short business meeting!)
RSVPs not necessary but helpful.
A special tour for FOAA members with Fran Bromberg, the archaeologist who was involved in discovery at the cemetery.
Free to FOAA members, limited to 25 participants (FOAA members may bring 1 guest).
Thursday, June 13
The Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington St.
6:30 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m.
$12/person; $10 FOAA/OHA members
City of Alexandria Archaeologist Benjamin Skolnik presents a new take on the history of the city as told through 15 seldom-seen maps. Alexandria history is combined with the history of cartography to show the many ways people, including City Archaeologists, make and use maps.
for tickets
https://shop.alexandriava.gov/SelectEvent.aspx?eventid=6000410
Thursday, May 9
The Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington St.
6:30 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m.
$12/person; $10 FOAA/OHA members
Lab Manager Kevin Bradley introduces the Alexandria Veterans Curation Program (VCP) and its unique mission to serve military veterans and rehabilitate at-risk United States Army Corps of Engineers archaeological collections. He will highlight the program’s preservation efforts of the Fort Delaware Civil War prison camp collection.
Tickets here
https://shop.alexandriava.gov/SelectEvent.aspx?eventid=6000410
Lloyd House
220 N. Washington Street
Alexandria
Char McCargo Bah will talk about her research at Freedmen’s Cemetery and her new book on what she learned. Books available for author signing.
Retired City Archaeologist Fran Bromberg with talk about the archaeology that went on at the site.
Refreshments served, it will be a fascinating evening.
$12 admission, $10 for FOAA members.
For tickets, https://shop.alexandriava.gov/SelectEvent.aspx?eventid=6000409
March with FOAA in the tribute to George! We walk about 1 mile in total. A great way to show the colors to our newly elected City Council!
Sign up here or meet us on-site (cancelled if the weather is bad)
An almost completely intact ship's biscuit from the 18th centur
y was found in Alexandria last year. To commemorate, visitors can make their own ship's biscuit. Each biscuit will be stamped with the year and then baked at home to track its preservation.
Free, no registration, while supplies last.
Alexandria Black History Museum
Wythe Street
Second annual Anna Lynch Memorial Lecture Series
Historical archaeology and historian Kelley Deetz will discuss her new book, Bound to the Fire: How Virginia's Enslaved Cooks Help Invent American Cuisine.
Tickets are $12, $10 fro FOAA/ASPBH members. Purchase at http://Alexandria.gov/Shop
The Godspeed will be visiting Alexandria from Jamestown. There will also be history-related activities at the city's new King Street Park, at the bottom of King Street near the river.
Saturday and Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm
Members of the Virginia Association of Museums are invited to the Alexandria Archaeology Museum to learn about Alexandria's waterfront history. Register for the meetup through http://www.vamuseums.org
In addition or instead, join the group for a Happy Hour at O'Connells, 112 King Sreet. Again, register through http://www.vamuseums.org
Lloyd House, Alexandria
Sprinkle's new book Saving Spaces: Historic Land Conservation in the United States provides case studies about the struggles and successes to conserve historic buildings and landscapes
Reception to follow.
Cost is $12, or $10 for OHA Museum members (including FOAA)
Alexandriava.gov/Shop
Daniel O'Connells (Fitzgerald Room)
112 King Street, Alexandria
Very brief official business meeting, followed by an update from Alexandria Archaeology staff about this summer's excavations and programming.
Hope to see you there!
Java Jolt on prehistoric archaeology (speaker details to come)
Alexandria Archaeology Museum
$5 admission, free to FOAA members
End Spring2Action with a bang--a happy hour in the beautiful garden of an Old Town private residence!
For more info or to donate:
https://www.spring2action.org/p2p/37454/alexandria-archaeology-museum
Bottom of Wolfe Street in Old Town
Learn about and view remains of a newly discovered piece of 18th century ship, used to "fill" the Alexandria waterfront. (The remains will be kept wet for preservation while decisions made about what to do with them.)
Archaeologists will be on hand to explain the find and answer questions.
Alexandria Archaeology Museum, 105 North Union Street, #327
Philip Smucker’s new book, Riding with George: Sportsmanship & Chivalry in the Making of America’s First President, explores George Washington’s love for sports and games and how that passion led to his success on the battlefield and in national politics. According to the Washington Post, his highly-acclaimed new book successfully “confronts the marble, ossified immensity of the historical George Washington and strives to reveal the human side of America’s most legendary figure.” Join Friends of Alexandria Archaeology for a free Java Jolt lecture with Philip Smucker on Saturday, April 14 at the Alexandria Archaeology Museum.
Smucker is a native Alexandrian and was a Fellow at the National Library for the Study of George Washington at Mount Vernon. Over his thirty-year career as a seasoned reporter, Smucker has worked as a conflict reporter, interviewed world leaders, and worked and written for numerous publications, including The Atlantic Monthly, McClatchy Newspapers, the International Herald Tribune, The New York Times, Asia Times, the Christian Science Monitor, and the Daily Telegraph, London.
A book signing will follow the lecture. Free and open to the public. Reservations are required. Email archaeology@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.4399.
105 South Union Street (Torpedo Factory)
Alexandria’s past comes to life with help from the Alexandria Archaeology Museum. Artists and innovators team up for a night of unearthed secrets, music, and trivia celebrating our region’s rich history.
Presented in collaboration with the Torpedo Factory Art Center. Free. No registration required. For more information, please call 703.746.4399
FOAA members-only tour of artifacts related to the Hotel Indigo site.
FOAA members welcome to help at this fun event. More details to come.
Join FOAA members to discuss current needs and future goals of the organization. New members and ideas are welcome!
At the Archaeology Museum, 220 S. Union Street (3rd floor of the Torpedo Factory).
Alexandria Archaeology Museum
Torpedo Factory, 3rd Floor
Paula Whitacre, author of A Civil Life in an Uncivil Time: Julia Wilbur's Struggle for Purpose will discuss Wilbur's life, work in Civil War Alexandria, and the diary project that brought her words to life.
Free, light refreshments, book-signing
Daniel O'Connell's Irish Restaurant and Bar
112 King Street
Alexandria, 22314
There has never been a more exciting time to be a part of Alexandria Archaeology! Join current Friends of Alexandria Archaeology members and city archaeologists for happy hour on the second floor of Daniel O’Connell’s Irish Restaurant and Bar. Learn how you can support the preservation of the city’s archaeological heritage, and hear about the exclusive benefits offered to FOAA members.
116 S. Quaker Lane (Bus Barn)
Free event, donations onsite encouraged
Join us in saying farewell to Alexandria’s 18th-century ship as she begins one last voyage before returning to her final port! The City of Alexandria has awarded Texas A&M University’s (TAMU) Conservation Research Laboratory in College Station, Texas the contract to conserve the ship discovered by archaeologists during construction of the Hotel Indigo on the City’s historic waterfront. Once the multi-year conservation process is complete, the ship’s wooden timbers will be able to return to Alexandria for future generations to study and appreciate.
This family-friendly event will feature an opportunity to see the ship being packed for its journey to TAMU, interactive activities related to the ship and conservation process, and a ceremonial bottle breaking to celebrate the ship’s send-off.
The event is supported in part by the new Hotel Indigo! Additionally, the hotel is offering a "Save our Ship" promotion where guests can receive 15% off the room rate. A $10 donation goes to the Save Our Ship conservation fund.
Snag a late lunch or early dinner on the day of the event at Rocklands BBQ (just across the street at 25 S. Quaker Lane) – they will be contributing 20% of sales to the conservation of the ship!
Free but reservations are required. Proper footwear and close-toed shoes are recommended. Limited on-street parking is available – carpooling and public transport recommended. Reserve your tickets at www.shop.alexandriava.gov/Events.aspx. Donate to Save Our Ship today! www.shop.alexandriava.gov/MakeDonation.aspx?skuid=2004514
Friends of Alexandria Archaeology supports archaeology in Alexandria, Virginia, through education, volunteer opportunities, and financial support.
“Whether you want to explore in the field, in the lab, or online, we welcome your involvement.”
