“From Enslavement to Justice: How African Americans Forced Change in Alexandria” Tour

Join our Dismantling Racism Team for a tour on Sunday, May 17, at 2:00 PM titled: “From Enslavement to Justice: How African Americans Forced Change in Alexandria.” This is an additional date due to the great response to our tour in April!

This tour examines how African Americans—both enslaved and free—forced legal, social, and moral change in Alexandria, from slavery and segregation to emancipation, military service, burial rights, and the long struggle for justice and recognition. Using burial grounds as primary historical sources, the tour highlights resistance, resilience, and reform across generations.

The tour will be led by David Heiby, public historian, member of the Old Presbyterian Meeting House, and Superintendent of the Presbyterian Cemetery & Columbarium. David serves on the boards of the Alexandria Historical Society and the Virginia Trust for Historic Preservation (which owns and operates the Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden), and regularly presents lectures and tours on Alexandria’s history.

Please meet Dave at the corner of Wilkes Street and Hamilton Avenue. The tour will include a number of cemeteries within the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex. Wear good walking shoes for about a 90 minute one mile walk. We will have limited access to bathrooms. The tour will go rain or shine except for extreme weather.

RSVP for more details and cancellation information.