General Information
About Our Organization
The Twig is an all-volunteer organization of women committed to raising money for Inova Alexandria Hospital. The annual Historic Alexandria Homes Tour is one of our two main fundraisers; the other is our thrift shop.
For over 90 years, The Twig has raised more than $6 million to support community healthcare in Alexandria, funding targeted improvements in areas such as women’s health, nursing, and indigent care.
A Tradition Since 1941
The Homes Tour is one of Alexandria’s longest-running fall traditions. It began in 1941, when the hospital’s Senior Auxiliary launched the “Old Homes Tour” to raise money for the hospital. The Senior Auxiliary hosted the tour for decades before turning it over to The Twig in 1997, when it was renamed the Historic Alexandria Homes Tour.
The tour has been held nearly every year since — pausing only in 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The following year, The Twig adapted with an outdoor garden tour to keep guests safe, then returned to showcasing both homes and gardens. In 2023, when a state of emergency was declared for Tropical Storm Ophelia, gracious homeowners agreed to shift the entire tour to the following day.
Each year’s homes are identified largely through word of mouth. Many are offered by homeowners who have lovingly restored or maintained their historic properties and are proud to share them; others come from Twig members, past tour guests inspired to open their own doors, and local real estate agents. The homes are never announced in advance — the surprise is part of the experience. A modest exterior can open into rooms full of curated art, museum-quality collections, pools, and English gardens, because the front of a house rarely tells its whole story.
To view photos from past tours, click HERE
2026 Historic Homes Tour Fast Facts
When and where is the 2026 tour?
The 84th Annual Historic Alexandria Homes Tour takes place Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Old Town Alexandria. The tour runs in light rain; in the event of severe weather, it will be postponed to the next day, Sunday September 27, 2026.
How much are tickets, and where do I buy them?
Thank you for interest in the 2026 Twig historic homes tour. We have sold out all 1400 tickets. We will not have a waiting list and will not be selling tickets on tour day.
Save the date! Next year’s historic homes tour will be Saturday, September 25, 2027.
Email marketing@thetwig.org with your name and email address if you would like to be notified when tickets go on sale next year.
And please support our amazing 2026 sponsors.
I bought tickets for the tour; where and how do I get them?
This year’s tour book is the ticket to enter all eight wonderful homes on the tour, so all ticket purhasers and their guests will receive a tour book.
We will need your name to verify your ticket purchase on Friday or Saturday at the locations and times stated below.
Every ticket purchase includes entrance to eight of Old Town’s wonderful historic homes, a printed copy of this year’s tour book, which is your guide to the homes, and free entrance on tour day to the Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum.
The tour book also contains a coupon you can use at the Twig Thrift Store.
All ticket sales are final and non-refundable. If you are unable to attend, please consider your purchase a donation to The Twig in support of Inova Alexandria Hospital.
For any questions about the check-in process and how to receive your tour book, email marketing@thetwig.org.
Please visit our Plan Your Day page on our website for more helpful information.
Friday, September 25 at The Twig Thrift Store (this day only!) – 106 N. Columbus Street
from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
We will have a table set up on the sidewalk in front of the store where you can check in and receive your tour book, which includes a map showing where the homes are located. On Saturday, you can go directly to any of the eight homes on the tour starting at 10:00 am. The tour will end at 3:00 pm.
Saturday, September 26 at three locations (this day only!) all from 9:30 am – 2:30 pm:
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum – 201 S. Washington Street
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum – 105-107 South Fairfax Street
The Potomack Company – 601 Prince Street
We will have a table set up in front of each location where you can check in and receive your tour book, which includes a map showing where the homes are located. You can go to any of the eight homes on the tour starting at 10:00 am. The tour ends at 3:00 pm.
I bought tickets for the tour; can I get a refund?
All ticket sales are final and non-refundable. If you are unable to attend, please consider your purchase a donation to The Twig in support of Inova Alexandria Hospital.
Which homes are on the tour?
The homes are kept a secret until tour day — the surprise is part of the experience. Each year’s lineup is chosen largely by word of mouth: many homes are offered by owners who have lovingly restored or maintained their historic properties, and others come from Twig members, past guests, and local real estate agents. A modest exterior often opens into rooms full of curated art, collections, pools, and gardens, because the front of a house rarely tells its whole story.
Where does my ticket money go?
The Twig is an all-volunteer organization of women dedicated to raising money for Inova Alexandria Hospital. All proceeds from the Homes Tour support the hospital. For over 90 years, The Twig has raised more than $6 million for community healthcare in Alexandria, funding improvements in areas such as women’s health, nursing, and indigent care.
How can I become a tour sponsor?
Businesses and individuals can support the tour at a range of sponsorship levels, which include recognition in the tour book, on our website, and on social media. To learn more, email marketing@thetwig.org.
How can I stay informed or get involved?
To receive tour updates, email homestour@thetwig.org.