The Alexandria African American Waterfront Heritage Trail Expands, Launch Event Full

The Northern Route Opened in 2021,

and Now a Southern Route Opens on February 4

Left to right Marvin Sanders, Tamika Sanders, Ebony Wilkes, Monte Cole Kincaid, and Dana Kincaid at the sign about the Domestic Slave Trade in Waterfront Park.

The African American Heritage Trail Committee (AAHTC) and the Office of Historic Alexandria created the new Southern walking tour through history, adding to the Northern Trail which opened in 2021. Unfortunately, registration for the launch event, scheduled for  Saturday, February 4, is already full, but you can still enjoy both trails online and in person.

The trails can be experienced on any computer device. Better yet, experience them in person using a StoryMap on your smartphone as you walk the trails along the Potomac River.  For the future, interpretive signage is also planned along the north and south routes.  The South Trail Route consists of 19 stops and takes about 90 minutes.  The North Trail Route  includes 11 stops  from Montgomery Street to the foot of King Street, and takes about 45 minutes to tour.  

Together, the two trails span just over three miles from Montgomery Street in Old Town North to the south end of Jones Point Park. Each stop highlights the importance of Black history in Alexandria, and what archaeological and historical research reveals about the past.  Prominent and lesser-known stories of African American people, places, and neighborhoods, from the time of Alexandria’s founding through the 20th century, are featured. 

Alexandria Waterfront from Maryland-1861

Congratulations to the members of the African American Heritage Trail Committee: Councilman John Chapman, Susan Cohen, Gwen Day-Fuller, Maddy McCoy, Krystyn Moon (Chair), McArthur Myers, and Ted Pulliam. Special thanks to Indy McCall for her contributions. Office of Historic Alexandria support provided by staff of the Alexandria Archaeology Museum and the Alexandria Black History Museum.