Saving America's Past will explore the significant and evolving role women have played in historic preservation, particularly through house museums. In the decades following America’s founding, women engaged in civic conversations and shaped collective historical memory by saving sites connected to the nation’s early history. In the modern era, women led the way in ensuring more voices and places were reflected in our national narrative. This presentation will highlight some key people, properties, and moments in the history of preservation with a special emphasis on sites in Alexandria, including Mount Vernon and the Pope-Leighey House.

Amanda Roper is a public historian who has spent her career preserving historic places and sharing traditionally underrepresented stories from America's past. Amanda holds a degree in history from the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina where she helped open McLeod Plantation Historic Site in 2015. After relocating to Northern Virginia, Amanda worked for the National Park Service and the Smithsonian Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington, D.C. She was also Director of the Lee-Fendall House Museum and Sr. Manager of Public Programs & Interpretation at Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House in Alexandria, Virginia. 

AHS HISTORY AWARDS CEREMONY
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Peter Henriques
Why Studying History Is Worthwhile

7:00pm Wednesday, April 22nd
The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., Alexandria

This is a FREE EVENT

Doors will open at 6:30. Light refreshments will be available.

Each year since 1984 the Alexandria Historical Society honors groups or individuals who have made noteworthy contributions to the preservation of the historic, cultural and artistic heritage of Alexandria, Virginia. AHS confers three different types of Awards:

T. MICHAEL MILLER ALEXANDRIA HISTORY AWARD
Since 2010 the Alexandria History Award has been named in honor of the City’s most prolific research historian and former AHS President in recognition of his long and very distinguished service to the City of Alexandria.
AHS SPECIAL MERIT AWARD
Bestowed in recognition of notable contributions to the Society and Alexandria history.
ALEXANDRIA HIGH SCHOOL HISTORY AWARD
Based on recommendations of their teachers, one outstanding history student from each of Alexandria's four high schools is given this award for academic achievement and scholarship in American history,  awareness of the role history plays today.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Peter R. Henriques received his PhD in history from the University of Virginia and is professor Emeritus of History at George Mason University. He is the author of Realistic Visionary: A Portrait of George Washington, First and Always: A New Portrait of George Washington, and The Death of George Washington: He Died As He Lived. Dr. Henriques' latest book, George Washington: His Quest  For Honor and Fame was released in September of 2025. Honors include presenting the Distinguished Lecture Series at Colonial Williamsburg, a George Washington Fellowship by Mount Vernon, and the George Washington Memorial Award given by the George Washington Masonic Memorial Association.

Shipwreck on the Potomac, Disaster in Pursuit of Lincoln's Killer

Karen Stone,  author 

The American Revolution and the Fate of the World

Dr. Richard Bell, historian

Alexandria Before, During, and After the Revolution 

Panel Discussion

What's New in Alexandria History 

2026 AHS Grantees Report on Their Projects