The Formation of the Alexandria Archaeological Commission: Connecting Citizen Activism, Archaeology, and Local Government in Alexandria, Virginia

The city of Alexandria, Virginia, USA, has often been recognized as an innovator in public archaeology circles. But one major aspect of the city’s relationship with archaeology has never received sufficient attention. The 1975 formation of the Alexandria Archaeological Commission (AAC) created a model for combining archaeology with grassroots community activism. This article explores the political environment that facilitated the creation of the AAC, emphasizing the years between 1964 and 1980. It also explores how this collaborative arrangement has institutionalized citizen and community involvement in the process of developing archaeological information, and how this framework could be of use to other communities.