Coffee and Conversation: Spring Package Pass

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.