Alexandria Lyceum to host Special Behind-the-Scenes Look for Homeschool Families

Meet the curator and learn how exhibits are made

The Lyceum, Alexandria’s History Museum, is hosting a special homeschool program on Tuesday, January 27 inviting families to see behind-the-scenes of the exhibit process.  Led by the curator of the upcoming exhibit Explore the Attic, students will go through the steps of how an exhibit is made, from concept to script to objects on display.  Includes an opportunity to see what did not make it on display and hands-on activities. 

The program is designed for family groups, recommended for ages 6 and up, and will be hosted on Tuesday, January 27 from 1-2:30 p.m. with check-in opening at 12:45 p.m.  Tickets are $8 per child, adults free.  Pre-registration is required, and tickets can be purchased online at shop.alexandriava.gov or by calling 703.746.4242. 

The Lyceum is located at 201 S. Washington Street. This historic building, originally opened in 1839 as a place for lectures, scientific experiments, and reading, now houses the City of Alexandria’s History Museum.  Exhibits, school programs, and lectures highlights Alexandria’s rich stories from the centuries.  For more information, visit alexandriava.gov/Lyceum. 

This class is part of a larger series offered by The Office of Historic Alexandria welcoming homeschool families “behind the scenes” of four of the City of Alexandria’s historic sites.   From December through April, each month participants will have the opportunity to see collection items not typically on display, meet with museum staff, and engage in hands-on activities and discussions. 

Future Classes include:

Tuesday, February 17—Bringing History to Life: Recreating Washington’s Birthnight Ball.  In honor of George Washington’s birthday, learn how the citizens of Alexandria would celebrate his birthday in the late 1790s at Gadsby’s Tavern.  Includes opportunity to wear reproduction clothing and a period dance lesson.  Hosted at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal Street.

Tuesday, March 17—How Museums Care for Objects.  Learn how museums store, care for, and treat an object in order to preserve it for generations to come.  Hosted at Friendship Firehouse Museum, 107 S. Alfred Street.

Tuesday, April 21—Honoring the Past: Alexandria Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery.  Join the Director of the Alexandria Black History Museum as she takes you through the 20-year process from rediscovering to reopening and remembering this significant part of Alexandria’s story.  Hosted at Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street.

The Office of Historic Alexandria enhances the quality of life for City residents and visitors by preserving and interpreting Alexandria’s historic properties, archaeological sites, cultural resources, artifact collections, objects, archives, records, and personal stories, and by encouraging audiences to appreciate Alexandria's diverse historic heritage and its place within the broader context of American history.  For more information about the Office of Historic Alexandria, it’s museums, and upcoming events, visit historicalexandria.org.