Alexandria, Virginia in the Civil War Era, A Guided Walking Tour

One hundred and sixty four years ago, in May of 1861, Virginia voters chose to secede from the United States and in the early morning hours of the next day, May 24, thousands of Union troops traveled by boat and across the bridges from Washington City to occupy Alexandria and the surrounding area. On this walking tour of Old Town Alexandria, we will visit and talk about sites connected to events of the Civil War era.

This is an in-person guided walking tour of Old Town Alexandria and will not be streamed on line.

The city was transformed into a massive logistics hub and hospital center in support of Union war efforts and became a destination for thousands of those escaping slavery. Four years of occupation brought many changes, including opportunity and liberation for some. We’ll visit sites from the Civil War era and talk about some of the events and personalities that were a part of the chaotic war years including:

Locations of some of the thirty hospitals established by the Union Army and some of those who visited and worked in them

The first blood shed in Virginia at the outbreak of the war

The minister who was arrested for the way he conducted his Sunday service

How citizens responded to the loyalty oath

Men, women and children who flooded into the city to liberate themselves by escaping slavery during the war and two women, a New York school teacher and an author from North Carolina who worked together to help with the refugee crisis.

This is a walking tour that will last approximately two hours. We will meet near the intersection of King and Royal Streets at Market Square in Alexandria and end the tour nearby the starting location. This tour will be all outdoors, we will not be going inside any of the buildings, but will be viewing some of the most historic sites in Old Town Alexandria. There is parking on the streets, and if coming by Metro, get off at the King Street - Old Town Station then take the free King Street Trolley about 15 blocks to Market Square. There is no cost for the tour, but I will accept gratuities at the conclusion.

My name is Harry I am a longtime resident of Northern Virginia and have created and led a number of specialized tours of Arlington National Cemetery and other locations in the DC area starting in 2015

Meeting Point: Market Square in Alexandria, near the intersection of King and Royal Streets. I will be wearing a light-colored broad brimmed hat with a black band. If you are running late check the meeting place, I will give an introduction there. Then we'll be walking up to Pitt St and then down to Fairfax, across the street from Market Square and then over to the Carlyle House on N. Fairfax.

Weather: This event will take place light rain (sprinkles) or shine.

Disclaimer: Participants are fully responsible for their own safety and not the event organizer: Washington, DC History & Culture.

There is no upfront cost to the tour, but I will accept gratuities at the conclusion. I look forward to seeing you there.