Lecture: The Alexandria Story of the Syphax Family

Alexandria’s location has impacted the people who have lived and worked here through the centuries. Steve Hammond, local researcher and family genealogist, will share his Syphax family legacy and how it connects with Alexandria. His research is a compelling story of challenge and discovery. Working to find the African American roots of the prominent Syphax family, he forged working relationships with scholars across the nation. Through his work, Mount Vernon, Carlyle House, Arlington House, and the White House Historical Association as well as Historic Alexandria’s own Gadsby’s Tavern Museum and the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum have been able to tell a more complete story of Alexandria and the nation.

Steve Hammond is retired from the United States Department of Interior after many years of service as an earth scientist. A genealogist and family historian, Hammond has spent decades researching, writing, and lecturing about the Syphax Family and their place in Virginia history. Nancy Syphax, once enslaved by tavern keeper John Gadsby, is Mr. Hammond’s third great-grandmother.

The lecture is sponsored by the Office of Historic Alexandria. Guests will receive an email with the Zoom meeting link, Meeting ID, and password the day prior to the event. Ticket sales will close at 4 p.m. on the day of the event. Tickets are $6 per link.