Historic Civil War Tours

The museum sponsors one or two annual historic tours.

Knowledgeable volunteer historians lead these tours through many sites, including those that are not accessible to the general public. The dates of the tours vary, but they usually take place on Saturday. Reservations are necessary.

If you wish to be placed on a list of those interested in attending future tours please email us at: fxstn@fairfax-station.org. Include your name, phone, email, and address. Please check our website for updates to the calendar.

Saturday, October 4, 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Civil War Tour - Tour of Alexandria Civil War Logistics, Defensive and Railroad Sites
This tour features Civil War sites in Alexandria and its immediate vicinity. After an orientation of Civil War Alexandria at the GW Masonic Temple, the tour will proceed toward the water front. Along the way, the location of a large Union Army stable, the terminuses for the three rail roads serving the city, and the location and alignment of the Alexandria Canal will be pointed out and discussed. The waterfront was a major area of Union activity for logistical support and improvements to increase army logistics will be shown. Stops are also planned for the United States Military Rail Road complex and the National Cemetery to visit grave sites of soldiers killed in an explosion at Fort Lyons, people killed while on a mission to find John Wilkes Booth, and local civilians connected to the railroad. Several pre-Civil War structures are included in the tour including an existing tunnel and bridge, and artifacts of three Union forts (one untouched, one destroyed, and one re-created), Union encampments, and mill sites west of the city. The Fairfax Station Railroad Museum hosts the tour and all proceeds go to the non-profit museum.

Tour will be led by Ron Beavers. There is a moderate amount of walking. Wear comfortable shoes and a hat. Van transportation. Rain or shine.

• Meet at a site to be determined at 8:30 a.m.
  
• $25 for members, $30 for non-members
  
• Make checks payable to Friends of Fairfax Station and mail to:
  • P.O. Box 7, Fairfax Station, VA 22039.
    
• Lunch is at a local restaurant at extra cost.
  
• Call Joyce Hill for reservations, 703-250-7109.