Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial 10th Anniversary Weekend

Participate in the 10th Anniversary of the Dedication of Alexandria’s Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial. This moving and educational weekend event includes several opportunities for all to honor the history of this site.
Page updated on August 21, 2024 at 9:11 AM
Translate icon

Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial 10th Anniversary Weekend

Passing the Light

Schedule

Thursday, September 5 

  • Noon to 3 p.m.: Packet pick-up at the Alexandria Black History Museum

Greetings and light refreshments

Friday, September 6   

  • 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Bus Tour of Pre-Civil Era Historic African American Churches and Sites of Alexandria

  • Visit the many historic African American churches in downtown Alexandria that grew and flourished before the Civil War, learning their stories from the congregations. This tour will also drive by other important African American sites. Box lunch will be provided. 

  • 4 p.m.: Reception at Moss Kendrix Exhibit, Alexandria Black History Museum

Celebrate the newest exhibit honoring this African American advertising pioneer. 

  • Dinner on own

Saturday, September 7 

  • Optional Morning: Self-Guided, African American Waterfront Heritage Trail

Take a walk through history and experience our new African American Waterfront Heritage Trail. See the brochure in your registration packet or use your smart phone to access.

  • 10 a.m.: Intergenerational conversation 

Moderated and recorded by Alexandria’s Oral History Center, join in conversations among descendants with the goal of emphasizing the importance of intergenerational continuity.  Register for one of these Saturday, September 7 sessions: 10 a.m. or 11 a.m.

  • 12 p.m.: Luncheon with Keynote Speaker, Pastor Michelle Thomas

Celebrate and commemorate the 10-year anniversary of Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial over a lovely lunch with speakers honoring the preservation of African American history.

  • 3-5 p.m.: Bus tour to Arlington House

Over the 60 years leading up to the Civil War, Arlington House was home to at least 100 enslaved African Americans who lived and labored on the estate. Enslaved people at Arlington House lived difficult lives of forced labor. However, they found small ways to resist, in addition to building families and close connections with each other. The National Park Service interprets the history of the Lee and Custis families and the stories of those enslaved by them, including the Syphax, Burke, Parks, Branham, and Gray families, to present a more complete story of life at Arlington House. 
Presentation and discussion will be led by Steve Hammond, Genealogist, Family Historian, and Syphax descendant and National Park Service guides. Tour will be self-guided. 
**This event requires some walking.

  • Dinner on own

  • 8:00 p.m.: Candlelight vigil and wreath laying at Freedmen’s Cemetery

Shuttle service from Lee Center starting at 7:30pm

Sunday, September 8 

  • Optional Morning: Attend African American Church Services as they highlight the theme of freedom

  • Optional Afternoon: Free Admission to Freedom House Museum at 1315 Duke Street 

From 1-5 p.m., show your descendant pin or nametag from the weekend to receive free admission!

 

Lodging

A room block is available at 

Hotel AKA Alexandria

625 First St, Alexandria, VA 22314

703.650.0200


Reserve your room!

Registration

Pricing

$150 Early-bird rate

$170 Early-bird rate with t-shirt

$50 Friday Bus Tour only

$75 Saturday Lunch only

$50 Saturday Bus Tour only

If registering for two or more, we will be in contact to collect information for all guests attending. 

Register Now

Questions?

Have specific questions about the weekend? Email HistoricAlexandria@alexandriava.gov