What does the Spring Package Pass include?

The $120 pass covers the three all-inclusive afternoon sessions in April, May, and June, including keynote talks, curator-led vault access, select tours, and light refreshments.

Is the April lecture free?

Yes—the April 18 keynote lecture is free and open to the public; the paid afternoon session with signed book and private Q&A is reserved for registered passholders.

How long is each session?

Sessions run 1:00–3:30 p.m., with the lecture at 1:00 p.m. and the after-session activities beginning around 2:30 p.m.

Are these events suitable for children?

Programs are geared toward adults and older teens interested in history and preservation; there is no minimum age listed but content may be scholarly.

Is parking available on-site?

Parking is limited; carpooling or local transit is recommended to avoid delays and improve accessibility for all visitors.

Do ticket purchases support the site?

Yes—proceeds help sustain Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House, funding preservation, exhibits, and free neighborhood programming.

Coffee and Conversation: Spring Pass at Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House | History Tour | Events

Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House in Alexandria, Virginia presents the Coffee and Conversation: Spring Package Pass, a three-session pass that layers public lectures, curator-led experiences, and historic-house tours into a compact cultural afternoon. Held on the third Saturday of April, May, and June from 1:00–3:30 p.m., the series pairs subject-matter experts with spirited audience dialogue, coffee, and small-group access to collection vaults and special exhibits. The spring lineup begins April 18 with 'George Washington and Public Memory,' a community kickoff featuring historian John Garrison Marks and a paid 2:30 p.m. session that includes a signed copy of Thy Will Be Done, a private Q&A, and house tours. May 16 centers on 'Women in Preservation,' led by public historian Amanda Roper; the full program opens vault access to rarely seen artifacts and a specialized women in preservation tour. June 20 explores 'Woodlawn Quakers during the Civil War' with Martha Catlin and offers an early look at the new exhibit Friends Gather Here alongside curator-led sneak-peek sessions. Each full-session ticket includes light refreshments and supports Woodlawn's ongoing preservation and community programming. What makes this series distinct is the combination of rigorous scholarship and access: attendees move from a focused keynote into intimate conversation, then step into the material history of the house through guided tours and collection spotlights. The Pope-Leighey House is invoked in the site name as part of the institution's dual heritage programming; the event emphasizes local narratives - slavery and memory, women's roles in preservation, and Quaker interactions - grounded in tangible artifacts and archival vaults. Practicalities are straightforward: the Spring Package Pass runs $120 and covers all three all-inclusive sessions, while the April keynote lecture is free and open to the public; registered passholders gain access to the afternoon extras. Sessions begin at 1:00 p.m., with the second segment and refreshments at 2:30 p.m. Expect light walking indoors and on level exterior paths during tours. For travelers staying in Alexandria, this is an easy afternoon diversion that pairs well with visits to Mount Vernon and Old Town. Scholars, history enthusiasts, preservation professionals, and curious neighbors will all find value in the focused lectures, the opportunity to closely view vaulted artifacts, and the chance to discuss how local stories shape national memory. Purchasing a pass is both a ticket to conversation and a direct contribution to sustaining this historic site for future seasons. Plan to arrive a few minutes early to check in at the visitor desk and pick up printed program materials; parking on-site is limited, so consider carpooling or local transit. Photography rules vary by exhibit - ask staff before shooting - and bring a notebook: these conversations often spark reading lists and research leads you'll want to record. Enjoy thoughtful conversation and coffee.

About Woodlawn and Pope-Leighey House

Woodlawn and Pope‑Leighey House, located in Alexandria, Virginia, preserves and interprets two distinct American landmarks. Woodlawn reflects a narrative that moves from plantation origins connected to George Washington to an antislavery farming community and active working farm. Pope‑Leighey House is a Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian design preserved for its architectural significance and natural setting. Together the sites offer a range of guided tours and specialty experiences that deepen understanding of architecture, regional history, and landscape.

Public offerings include house tours of Woodlawn and of Pope‑Leighey House, combined visits, and thematic tours such as “Slavery and Freedom,” “Architecture of Woodlawn & Pope‑Leighey House,” and a Lafayette specialty tour that explores Marquis de Lafayette’s 1824 connections to the Custis and Lewis families. Seasonal and limited-capacity events include “Wright at Twilight,” Yoga Nidra led by instructor Emily Hampton, Forest Bathing with guided mindfulness, and community programs like a pizza-and-history evening. Tours and experiences are led by named guides and instructors, offering documented perspectives on design, preservation, and community legacy.

The site supports ongoing preservation with visitor programs, and the grounds include a working farm and a gift shop that highlights local crafts. Small-group experiences and limited tickets for specialized sessions provide intimate access to sites and stories. Woodlawn and Pope‑Leighey House combines architectural significance, historical interpretation, and active stewardship to provide informative visits and meaningful public programming. Visitor support through admissions and events helps fund preservation, interpretation, educational programming, and ongoing stewardship of these significant historic properties for present and future generations alike.

Coffee and Conversation: Spring Pass at Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House

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