October 2008
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Drawings by William Lydston, Jr.
April 1 - December 31
Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site
4301 W. Braddock Road
Alexandria, VA 22304
www.fortward.org 703/838-4848
Original Civil War drawings by soldier, artist and musician William Lydston, Jr. Exhibit coincides with a statewide celebration of Virginia's musical heritage. Fort Ward pairs drawings from Lydston's wartime experiences with musical instruments and related objects from the Museum's collection. Free. Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays, noon to 5 p.m.
Free!
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Death Comes to Carlyle House: An 18th-Century Virginia Home in Mourning
October 1 - November 2
Carlyle House Historic Park
121 N. Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.carlylehouse.org 703/549-2997
To commemorate the 227th anniversary of the death of John Carlyle and to honor the memory of the many untimely deaths associated with his family, Carlyle House presents an exhibit on the mourning practices of 18th-century Virginia through the experience of the Carlyle household.
$ Entrance Fee
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Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour at Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens
October 3-5
Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens
South end of GW Parkway
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy
Mount Vernon, VA 22121
www.MountVernon.org 703/780-2000
Enjoy live blues and spectacular views of the Potomac River while sampling wine from 16 award-winning Virginia wineries. Visitors learn about the successes and failures of our Founding Father’s wine endeavors, enjoy live jazz music, and meet “George Washington” on the Mansion's piazza. Guests experience an evening tour of George Washington's home and are invited to visit the rarely open basement cellar vaults. Tickets $30 and on sale beginning September 5 at Mount Vernon’s Main Gate or via Ticketmaster.
$ Entrance Fee | Reservations Required
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Civil War Artillery Program
October 4
Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site
4301 W. Braddock Road
Alexandria, VA 22304
www.fortward.org 703/838-4848
1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery reenactors portray a Union Civil War regiment stationed at Fort Ward and conduct firing demonstrations, set up camp, and discuss the varied tools and skills of the artilleryman. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free.
Free!
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Art on the Avenue
October 5
Del Ray's Mount Vernon Avenue
Mount Vernon between Bellefonte and Hume streets
Alexandria , VA 22301
www.artontheavenue.org 703/683-3100
Celebrating the diversity of Del Ray, the 13th annual street festival along Mount Vernon Avenue has 300 juried artists, three stages of music, children's art activities (scarecrows and pumpkin painting) adn restaurants selling their specialties. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Free!
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Blessing of the Pets
October 5
Christ Church
118 N. Washington Street
Alexandria , VA 22314
www.historicchristchurch.org 703/549-1450
This special service takes place in the beautiful churchyard of historic Christ Church at 3 p.m.
Free!
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Second Thursday Art Night, Dig It!
October 9
Torpedo Factory Art Center
105 N. Union Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.torpedofactory.org/thursday.htm 703/838-4565
Browse open studios, interact with the artists, and enjoy refreshments. The event is free and open to the public. 6-9 p.m.
Free!
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Alexandria Arts Safari
October 11
Torpedo Factory Art Center
105 N. Union Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.torpedofactory.org 703/838-4565
An annual festival of hands-on arts and crafts activities for children and their families. Event takes place noon-4 p.m.. As part of the festivities, Alexandria Archaeology holds an open house with family activities in its third floor museum from 1 to 4 p.m.
Free!
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Heritage Trail Bike Ride
October 18
George Washington Masonic National Memorial
101 Callahan Drive
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.alexandriaarchaeology.org 703/838-4399
10 a.m. to
Free! | Reservations Required
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Death Comes to Carlyle House: 18th-Century Medicine and the Treatment of Illness
October 18
Carlyle House Historic Park
121 N. Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.nvrpa.org/parks/carlylehouse/index.php 703/683-3451
Learn how 18th-century physicians treated illness in an attempt to stave off the Reaper of Souls. 7-9 p.m.
$ Entrance Fee | Reservations Required
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Family Dig Day
October 18
Grounds of the George Washington Masonic Memorial
101 Callahan Drive
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.alexandriaarchaeology.org 703/838-4399
Help City archaeologists and trained volunteers screen excavated soil for artifacts from a real "dig" located on the grounds of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. Wear comfortable clothes, protect yourself from the sun, and bring a water bottle. Please, no sandals. All necessary equipment will be supplied. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a participating adult. 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. $5 per person. Reservations required. E-mail archaeology@alexandriava.gov or call 703.838.4399 to save your spot!
$ Entrance Fee
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Fall Harvest Family Days
October 18-19
Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens
South End of GW Parkway
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy
Mount Vernon, VA 22121
www.MountVernon.org 703/780-2000
With the crops picked, Mount Vernon’s Pioneer Farmer site becomes a harvest celebration. Rain or shine, meet “General Washington,” see wheat-treading, blacksmithing and cooking demonstrations, take a wagon ride, explore a straw-bale maze. The Harvest Bake Sale offers fresh-baked goods. This weekend, sightseeing cruises, courtesy of Spirit Cruises and Potomac Riverboat Company, available half-price. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
$ Entrance Fee
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Colonel John Carlyle’s 1780 Funeral & Ghost Tour
October 25
Carlyle House Historic Park
121 N. Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.carlylehouse.org 703/549-2997
Experience a re-enactment of Colonel John Carlyle’s 1780 Funeral. View Colonel John Carlyle’s coffin, learning about the mourning practices of the era, from 6 to 9 p.m., followed by the funeral procession and Internment at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House. A ghost tour of Alexandria is included in the price of admission. For program reservations call Alexandria’s Footsteps to the Past at 703/683-3451.Reservations Required
