Educational Programs for Students, Children and Families
Many programs require advance registration and some are scheduled only a few times a year, so be sure to check the Calendar of Events and contact the Education Coordinator to make your reservation today.
School Programs: Schedule a Visit
To schedule a visit, call the Education Coordinator at 703.746.4994. Please note the following when scheduling a school program:
- Reservations are required
- Cost: $3 per student payment due upon arrival with a minimum charge of $40.
- Alexandria City Public Schools admitted free of charge!
- Up to five adults admitted free; additional adults $3 each
- Accessibility: Please notify us of any special needs so we can best accommodate all of your students. The museum will work closely with visiting teachers to make programs as accessible as possible to all visiting students and can create the best, most inclusive experience if notified in advance.
These programs are designed to enhance student learning and are adaptable to the Virginia and Maryland learning objectives. Your group can combine the Alexandria History Museum' programs with those offered by Alexandria's other museums and historic sites by scheduling a multi-site visit.
- Getting a Feel for Long Ago: Hands-on History - Grades K-3
- Inside Old Town: Outreach Kit - Grades 4-8
- Inside Old Town: Walking Tour - Grades 4-8
- Scavenger Hunt for History - Grades 4-8+
School Programs
Getting a Feel for Long Ago: Hands-on History
Recommended for Grades K-3
What did people wear 200 years ago? How did people light their homes? Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum provides the setting for this hands-on history program. Students learn about life in George Washington’s time as they examine reproduction artifacts and images and discuss home and work in early Alexandria.
- Virginia SOLs: Social Studies: K.1, K.2, K.6-8, 1.1, 1.7, 2.3, 2.7-9; English: K.1-3, 1.1-3, 2.1-3, 3.1, 3.2; Science: K.1, K.2, K.4
- Program: 1 hour
- Recommended Group Size: Up to 40 students
Make a Day of It! Reserve Getting a Feel for Long Ago: Hands-on History along with Citizen Firefighters in Early Alexandria at Friendship Firehouse Museum. Contact the Education Coordinator for more information at 703.746.4994.
Inside Old Town: Outreach Kit
Recommended for Grades 4-8
A classroom resource that complements the Walking Tour or can be used on its own. The kit contains a teacher’s guide with lesson plans, replica objects and primary documents about life in early Alexandria.
- Virginia SOLs: Social Studies: VS.1-5, USI.1-3; English: 4.1-3, 4.5, 4.6
Inside Old Town: Walking Tour
Recommended for Grades 4-8
What was it like to live in Alexandria 200 years ago? Students explore the Old Town of the past by playing the roles of early townspeople, and learn about the interdependence of the people that lived and worked in their community.
- Virginia SOLs: Social Studies: VS.1-4, USI.1-3; English: 4.1-3, 4.5, 4.6, 5.1, 5.2, 5.4, 5.7
- Program: 1 ¾ hours (walking tour)
- Recommended Group Size: Up to 48 students
Scavenger Hunt for History
Recommended for Grades 4-8+
Using clue sheets, students explore the exhibition Building a Community: Alexandria Past to Present to find artifacts and images which relate to different themes throughout Alexandria’s history. Students participate in a docent-lead discussion of historical artifacts and primary and secondary sources.
- Virginia SOLs: Social Studies: VS.1-4, USI.1-3; English: 4.1-3, 4.5, 4.6, 5.1, 5.2, 5.4, 5.6, 5.7, 6.1, 6.2, 6.5, 7.5-7, 8.2, 8.6
- Program: 1 hour
- Recommended Group Size: Up to 30 students
Home School Programs
Homeschool families and groups are welcome to schedule a school program or our outreach kit (minimum payments and reservation requirements still apply) or enjoy a self-guided visit to our museum during regular museum hours.
Scout Programs
Boy and Girl Scout troops are welcome to reserve a school program (minimum payments and reservation requirements still apply) or enjoy a self-guided visit to our museum during regular museum hours.
There are volunteer opportunities for Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scout volunteers to help with special events during the year.
Learn more about Scout Programs at the Alexandria History Museum.