Alexandria History Tours

01/23/2025

In Alexandria, Virginia, it is hard to miss the George Washington Masonic National Memorial! It is a nine story Memorial built to honor George Washington, who was a Freemason. George Washington was not only America's first president but one of now 16 presidents that can claim Freemason membership. Learn more about the history of Freemasons and the history of the architectural marvel that is the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria!
Check it out here: https://wix.to/BcYTMbJ

01/18/2025

A Service of Prayer for Peace | January 26
On January 26, 2025, we will hold a special event to commemorate the January 1942 visit of Prime Minister Winston Churchill and President Franklin Roosevelt to Christ Church. These two leaders observed a National Day of Prayer for peace and victory that President Roosevelt had declared. The forum at 9:00 a.m. will include an introduction to the history and spiritual significance of the event. We plan to remember their historic visit by incorporating appropriate prayers and hymns into our 10:00 Episcopal service of Holy Eucharist. Our guest preacher at the service will be the Very Rev. Ian Markham, Dean of the Virginia Theological Seminary. The British Embassy will be represented by
Admiral Timothy Woods, Defense Attaché. A festive reception will follow the service in the Auditorium and we invite you to be a part of this celebration! We are seeking both contributions of food and volunteer support to make the event special. Please consider contributing as you are able, whether providing an item to the reception, helping with set-up or clean-up, or offering your time in any way, your participation is greatly appreciated. Please sign up via this link bit.ly/40aTWZD.

01/15/2025

Despite the cold weather, Alexandria History Tours continues to give excellent tours showcasing the fascinating and fun history of Old Town Alexandria! We will be running tours throughout the weekend with a focus on historic inaugurations including those of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson!

01/10/2025

The chapel of ease (aka Christ Church Episcopal) looks great at night! Had to share a photo from a different vantage point that captures the fact that this church was originally in the woods.

01/08/2025

Historic Christ Church Episcopal at night after a fresh snowfall.

01/06/2025

Discover the historical significance of Winston Churchill's visit to Alexandria on New Year's Day 1942. He sat in George Washington's box pew during a National Day of prayer. Dive deeper into this incredible moment in our latest blog post: https://wix.to/DI5k3SP #1942

On New Year's Day 1942, Winston Churchill visited Alexandria, Virginia and sat in George Washington's box pew on a National Day of prayer.

01/06/2025

Some snowy scenes around Old Town Alexandria!! It’s a winter wonderland!
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01/06/2025

The historic charm of Captain’s Row is the gift that keeps on giving!

12/29/2024

We’ve had some fantastic group tours in December!! We are looking forward to more fun groups in 2025, get in touch with us and discuss your plans for visiting Alexandria and experiencing all of the wonderful history!

12/26/2024

in 1776, George Washington led American forces in the Battle of Trenton which was an American victory and crucial turning point in the America’s war for independence. America’s fifth president, James Monroe, was a Lieutenant in a company led by George Washington’s second cousin, Captain William Washington. Lt Monroe was shot in the shoulder and severely wounded. He was taken to the home of the Coryell family, who ran a ferry on the Delaware River. One of Washington’s future pallbearers, George Coryell, was a young man at the time that Monroe was brought into the house to recover from his wounds. Capt. Washington later participated in many other critical battles in the southern theater of the war including the Battle of Cowpens in South Carolina, which was another critical victory that helped push America closer toward independence.
Pictured is the grave of President James Monroe in as well as the grave of George Coryell in Lambertville, NJ. Finally, two photos from Cowpens with markers honoring William Washington and other American Patriots that fought at Cowpens.

12/22/2024

The George Washington Masonic National Memorial lit up after the sun set on the shortest day of 2024. The Memorial was built to honor George Washington, who was a Freemason and member of what was originally Lodge No 39 then became the Alexandria Lodge No 22. In 1804, the Washington name was added and it became Washington-Alexandria Lodge No 22. Many of Alexandria’s leading citizens were friends with George Washington and brother Masons. The Memorial was built in the 1920s with a groundbreaking ceremony on June 5, 1922. The design is meant to resemble the Alexandria (Egypt) Lighthouse. The Masonic Memorial remains an impressive tribute to the father of our nation, His Excellency George Washington. It is a popular place to visit with lots of history and impressive views both inside and outside.

12/18/2024

in 1799, George Washington’s funeral took place at Mount Vernon. Washington passed away on December 14, 1799. In accordance with his last request not to be placed in the vault less than three days after his death, the funeral was on the 18th. Many citizens from Alexandria arrived to mourn their beloved friend and neighbor. Among those in attendance were Alexandria’s pallbearers. Five of the six were brother Masons who performed Masonic rites. Col Simms was one of Washington’s friends and a Revolutionary War veteran. He is interred in Christ Church’s historic burial ground. Reverend Dr James Muir was a pastor at the Presbyterian Church, which is now known as the Old Presbyterian Meeting House. He was one of four ministers to speak at Washington’s funeral. Rev. Muir is buried in the Old Presbyterian Meeting House burial ground. Alexandria has a lot of connections to George Washington through his many friends, neighbors, business associates, brother Masons, and brothers in arms who fought in both the French and Indian War and American Revolution.

12/07/2024

Nice images of the sky as the sun sets on a festive day in historic Old Town Alexandria!!

12/06/2024

Last year, the coldest tour was 11 degrees. We are not quite there yet. Getting colder though. I love cold tours. This is my kind of weather!! Will be at the Visitor Center at 10:30 for the tour this morning. Tours run all weekend. Come enjoy the beautiful weather with us!

12/04/2024

Cold? What cold? Alexandria History Tours continues to offer guided walking tours through the winter. Did the cold stop George Washington from crossing the Delaware River on Christmas in 1776? No way! The cold doesn't stop people from checking out George Washington's hometown and raving about their experience with us and our company! Hopefully, we will be giving tours in the snow soon! ❄😊

11/27/2024

A fun then and now! Found this old advertisement for Michelbach furniture in a 1929 Alexandria Business Directory. The building still stands 95 years later on the 800 block of King St and still has the Michelbach name on the side. There is still a retail shop there and an escape room! Next to the store is a longtime Alexandria favorite restaurant which is a fantastic Greek restaurant! Come check out all the fun history Alexandria has to offer and enjoy shopping and restaurants on King Street on your next visit!

11/18/2024

Alexandria History Tours was pleased to offer a group tour to the Freedom Hill Chapter of the .of.the.american.rev Our Revolutionary War tour is a great tour option in the heart of Old Town Alexandria to help educate and inform people about Alexandria’s role in the Revolutionary War and the many veterans of America’s fight for independence!
Looking for your group to take a fun, patriotic tour in George Washington’s hometown of Alexandria, get in touch with us today!!

11/14/2024

We are looking forward to the Christmas season in Old Town Alexandria. The holiday festivities will kick off in early December with a fantastic annual event: The Scottish Christmas Walk Parade. Alexandria History Tours is pleased to bring back our specialty Scottish History & Heritage Tour on the eve of the parade!

Learn more about Alexandria's famous Scots like John Carlyle, William Ramsay, Dr. James Craik and others. Stops will include the and among other beautiful and iconic locations throughout historic Alexandria. See you in December!