Visit Alexandria Black History Museum

The mission of the Black History Museum is to enrich the lives of Alexandria's residents and visitors, to foster tolerance and understanding among all cultures and to stimulate appreciation of the diversity of the African American experience.
Page updated on January 18, 2025 at 5:15 PM
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Address

Alexandria Black History Museum
902 Wythe Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314

The Alexandria Black History Museum is located in the Parker-Gray Historic District, in the north-west quadrant of Old Town Alexandria. On-street parking is available on Wythe Street.

Hours of Operation

Regular hours  
Thursday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Friday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Saturday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday 1 – 5 p.m.

Office Hours 
By appointment only. 

Museum Archives 
By appointment only. 

Closed
Thanksgiving and the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day

The Alexandria Black History Museum

The Alexandria Black History Museum includes the Museum, the Watson Reading Room, and the Alexandria African American Heritage Park. Other African American historic sites in Alexandria include the Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial, and the Freedom House Museum.

Alexandria Black History Museum

Museum Home Page

Learn about the museum and its collections, events, and more, with links to the Park, Watson Reading Room and related sites

Virtual Tour of Alexandria Black History Museum: Entrance (2017)

Virtual Tours

Tour the Museum and related historic sites virtually on Google 360.. 

Plan Your Visit

Event Tickets

To purchase tickets to events at the Historic Alexandria Museums and to shop online, visit The Alexandria Shop. Visit the Historic Alexandria Calendar for a full list of events.

Admission

Admission is $3.00 per person. Special group rates are available. Contact the Tour Coordinator for more information.

Free admission for City of Alexandria residents.

Free admission for American Alliance of Museum members (AAM), Virginia Association of Museums Members (VAM), Veterans and Alexandria City Employees.

Group Services

To schedule a tour contact the Tour Coordinator at 703.746.4356, one month prior to your visit. Maximum tour capacity for the museum is 50 people.

To arrange for a staff member from the Alexandria Black History Museum to speak to your school or organization about Alexandria’s African American history, contact museum staff for availability at 703.746.4356 at least one month prior to your visit.

Please note: in February (Black History Month), due to the increased demand for tours and outreach programs, the museum calendar fills quickly. It is recommended that groups book early during the following months: December (Kwanzaa), January (Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday) and February (Black History Month).

Museum Shop

The Museum’s gift shop offers a wide variety of items relating to the African American experience. Patrons are able to find gifts suitable for all ages and interests. Books, CDs, DVDs, postcards, note cards, jewelry, presidential memorabilia, ornaments, toys and games are available for purchase. For a unique gift that educates, inspires or commemorates a special occasion, the Alexandria Black History museum shop has the perfect gift! Additional Historic Alexandria merchandise is available from The Alexandria Shop.

Accessibility

The museum is wheelchair accessible. The City of Alexandria complies with the terms of ADA. For reasonable disability accommodation, contact our staff at Alex 311 or 703.746.4554, Virginia Relay 711.

Guest Expectations

Please review Guest Expectations prior to arrival.

At all Historic Alexandria sites, we do not tolerate racist or derogatory jokes, comments, or harassment from our guests or staff. We value the dignity of all people who enter our sites. We are committed to creating an environment where together, we can explore Alexandria’s complex history in a manner that is respectful for all. Violators of this policy will be asked to leave the premises.