African American History Tour: Explore Alexandria

The Manumission Tour Company specializes in organizing tailored tours that emphasize the rich African American History of Alexandria. This firm, established by a fourth-generation resident of Alexandria, provides guided strolling tours during the weekends.

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Gadsby’s Tavern Museum - Discuss the lives and duties of the enslaved that worked at Gadsby’s Tavern
  • Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum - Discuss the abolitionist work of Edward Stabler
  • Alexandria City Hall & Market Square - Discuss the history of slavery on the Market Square site
What's Included
  • Guided tour with an English-speaking guide.
What's Not Included
  • Entry into Historic Alexandria Museums
Location
717 Queen St
Queen Street
We meet in front of the Barrett Library
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(143 Ratings)
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Snapper_47
Jul 14, 2024
3 Generations Really Liked This Tour! - Really great tour! It was highly recommended by a friend. We, our kids and grandkids (visiting from New Zealand) really found it interesting. Getting the African American view of Alexandria’s history was eye opening. Pamela was a superbly knowledgeable and engaging guide. We highly recommend this tour! (We all really liked it even with temperatures in the muggy mid-90’s!)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Elizabeth
Mar 10, 2024
Good stories well told - Highly recommend this tour to those interested in stories that help to bring history alive. Mr. Chapman is a very engaging host who encourages questions and clearly knows his stuff. The tour was rated excellent by me and my husband, midle-aged history buffs and long-time Alexandria residents, and by our teenage niece. Good length of time, distance covered, size of group, and walking pace, as well. Don't miss this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sheila_g
Oct 23, 2023
Quality Excursion - Excellent guide. Pamela was knowledgeable and paced the tour for older participants. The detail and dates recalled was exceptional! Highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Sheila_s
Aug 22, 2023
Awesome tour of historic American Alexandria, VA - I thoroughly enjoyed the tour with John. He was very captivating and passionate about the subject matter. I have a new appreciation for a walk through Old Town Alexandria from an African-American perspective
Review provided by Viator
Nichole
Aug 15, 2023
Informative and Engaging - We took this tour as a way to learn something new about the area. This tour exceeded expectations. It was very informative and engaging. The owner is clearly passionate about his mission to tell untold stories of African American history. We will definitely take another Manumission tour when we're back in the area.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Renllua
Aug 8, 2023
Informative and Engaging: This tour is like walking through Alexandria with a friend who is also a resident historian. - On a recent trip to Washington DC, I visited Alexandria to take a Manumission Tour as a part of a desire to learn more fully about American history. The tour exceeded my expectations. John knows his history well, and it is apparent that sharing it with others is his "why." He invites questions and conversation while being a treasure trove of stories and facts. John's commitment to the city was also evident as we walked on a Sunday morning when folx, obviously residents, came up to say hello; he serves as a councilman in Alexandria. John's tour added stories of bravery, daring, and community to help me form a fuller understanding of American history. Probably just as important as the knowledge gained for my own understanding, it makes me a better informed teacher. So, take one of Manumission Tours! It is certainly a most delightful and INFORMATIVE way to experience Alexandria.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Iamlah88
Jul 26, 2023
Fascinating Tour - This is a wonderful tour to go on. We even enjoyed it in the rain! We learned so much from our knowledgeable guide. She was a great storyteller with an awesome attitude. Appreciated how she answered each of our questions fully and inspired us to continue learning. I highly recommend this experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kynw2023
Jun 28, 2023
Great Tour - What an amazing tour! I really liked visiting Alexandria but this tour really made the city visit education and entertaining.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Emilysz4828ey
Jun 26, 2023
Wonderful tour for tourists, school kids, and locals - This was an excellent tour and I highly recommend it for tourists, school kids and Alexandria locals. Pam was our tour guide and she was personable and really knew her stuff. She was able to answer our questions and it is clear she has done a lot of personal research on Alexandria's very unique place in history across the centuries. Alexandria itself is a beautiful backdrop for a walking tour and Pam did such a great job of connecting what was going on in terms of laws and historical social norms to individuals personal stories. I loved hearing about how these stories were discovered by reading between the lines of various primary sources. This company does a few tours and I'm going to sign up for the others. GREAT TOUR!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rebecca_k
Jun 30, 2024
Guide did not arrive - The guide didn’t show up. I texted the company- no apology or explanation. I am so disappointed- I was really looking forward to this tour.
Review provided by Viator
From $17
up to 15 guests
1 Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).