Carlyle House Historic Park
Visit an 18th Century Mansion & Gardens
Discover Carlyle House Historic Park, home to an eighteenth-century historic house museum in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. John Carlyle, a wealthy merchant and a founder of Alexandria, completed his elegant stone mansion in 1753. Today, Carlyle House is one of the nation’s finest examples of Georgian residential architecture.
The Carlyle House museum wants your feedback to help us understand our community needs and help us determine what programs, exhibits and experiences we can focus on in the future.
Please take a few minutes to complete this short 8 question survey. We greatly appreciate it!
Opening Hours
| Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Sunday | 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
| Thanksgiving Day | Closed |
| Christmas Eve | Closed |
| Christmas Day | Closed |
| New Year's Day | Closed |
Tour size is limited due to the small size of museum rooms.
Museum Shop is open during the museum’s normal operating hours.
Last tour at 3pm.
Fees
| Jurisdiction | Non-Jurisdiction | |
|---|---|---|
|
Admission Fee Ages Under 5 Age 6 - 17 Age 18 and over |
Free $3.00 $8.00 |
Free $3.00 $8.00 |
|
Group Fees Pre-arranged group of 10 or more Pre-arranged student group |
$5.00 Free |
$5.00 $3.00 |
Group Tours
We schedule group tours during our normal operating hours: Monday-Saturday (Closed on Wednesdays), 10am-4pm and Sunday 12pm-4pm. Groups larger than 10 people will be scheduled with multiple guides to create smaller groups for a better guest experience. We look forward to sharing the Carlyle House with you and your group. If we may assist you with any arrangements or tailor the tour to a specific interest focus for your group, please let us know. If you have any questions, please contact us at 703-549-2997 or email us at carlyle@nvrpa.org. Please, note your group tour reservation is not complete until confirmed by Carlyle staff and deposit is made.
Portrait Photography Permit
The beautiful gardens at Carlyle House Historic Park are a popular spot for strolling, taking pictures, picnicking, walking the dog, event rentals and, of course, the site's various public programs! To help maintain the park for the public to enjoy now and in the future, we require a photo permit to use the grounds for portrait photography. The permit allows us to try and minimize scheduling conflicts. We offer two permits: 1) an Annual Permit for $200 and 2) a Two-Hour Permit for $25. Please complete the Portrait Photography Reservation Inquiry Form to make your reservation. For questions, please call the museum at 703-549-2997.
Portrait Photography Reservation Inquiry Form
Weddings and Events
The gardens and Magnolia Terrace at Carlyle House offer an elegant and intimate setting in the heart of historic Old Town Alexandria for both business and social functions.
Exhibits
After John Carlyle’s 1780 death, his one-acre Alexandria property was divided amongst his heirs, who further sold off various parcels. The Bank of Alexandria built a headquarters building at the northwest corner of the Carlyle property in 1806. Carlyle House itself passed out of the family in 1827, after the death of Sarah Carlyle Herbert.
Contact
Carlyle House Historic Park
121 N. Fairfax StreetAlexandria VA 22314
United States
Manager: Rebecca Super
Connect With Us
Volunteers
Become a Docent
Enjoy History? Looking for a fun and relaxing volunteer opportunity? Carlyle House Historic Park, a colonial house museum in Old Town Alexandria, seeks volunteer docents to give public tours of this historic building. Carlyle House, built in 1753, interprets the home and family of John Carlyle, a merchant and town founder.
- Guide visitors on tours through the house.
- Preserve the past by bringing John Carlyle and 18th-Century Alexandria to life.
- Teach visitors about the cultural heritage of Alexandria.
- Work together with museum staff to give each visitor an enjoyable experience at the Carlyle House. Learn more everyday about the Carlyle family and life in 18th-Century Virginia.
Carlyle House Docents commit to volunteering at least 2 weekday shifts per month or 1 weekend shift per month. Morning shifts are 10am-1pm and afternoon shifts are 1pm-4pm. Carlyle House Docents have access to free parking in Old Town Alexandria, 10% off in the gift shop, monthly trips to local historic sites, and an opportunity to meet new people and make new friendships.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a museum volunteer please contact the museum by calling 703-549-2997 or emailing us at carlyle@nvrpa.org
Garden Volunteers
Green thumb and green thumb wannabes needed. Are you an experienced gardener or want to learn more? The Carlyle House garden needs you! Garden volunteers are needed to work in the garden from mid-March through mid-October. Volunteers typically work one day per week. Work days are flexible and depend on the schedule of the staff horticulturist. An every week commitment is not necessary. All supplies provided but please bring your own gloves. To volunteer please email carlyle@nvrpa.org
Museum Teachers
Carlyle House Museum Teacher volunteers teach elementary and middle school students about life in colonial America and the Carlyle family in particular. Museum teachers educate school-age children on topics such as archaeology, the Revolutionary War, and slavery by leading interactive age-appropriate tours. If you are interested in becoming a Museum Teacher please contact the Educator by calling 703-549-2997 or emailing carlyle@nvrpa.org
Friends
The Friends of Carlyle House is a group of interested citizens dedicated to preserving and enhancing the site while promoting community involvement through a program of membership, donations and fund-raising. Although Carlyle House is owned and operated by NOVA Parks, the Friends group provides the sole revenue for collections acquisitions and conservation. Friends funds also support and expand educational programs and school outreach.
Through the support of the Friends group, the museum has been furnished according to John Carlyle’s 1780 probate inventory, which lists items such as “1 Old Tea Chest Called the Mistake” and “2 walnut Clothes presses.” While the museum displays a fabulous array of 18th–century furnishings, the collection is not yet complete. As a Friend, you can help complete the Carlyle inventory. The Friends of Carlyle House sponsor a number of fundraising projects to support the collections.
Membership benefits include:
- Free admission to the museum
- 10% discount in the museum shop
- Invitations to events and exhibits
