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graphic for the American Revolution documentary series

American Revolution - Episode 1 watch party

Episode 1: In Order to Be Free

2026-02-04 17:00:00 2026-02-04 19:00:00 America/New_York American Revolution - Episode 1 watch party Join us at the Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library for Episode 1 of Ken Burns' newest documentary, The American Revolution.  Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room

Wednesday, February 04
5:00pm - 7:00pm

Add to Calendar 2026-02-04 17:00:00 2026-02-04 19:00:00 America/New_York American Revolution - Episode 1 watch party Join us at the Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library for Episode 1 of Ken Burns' newest documentary, The American Revolution.  Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room

Join us at the Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library for Episode 1 of Ken Burns' newest documentary, The American Revolution. 

Episode 1 is part of The American Revolution documentary, a six-part, 12-hour series by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt. Come watch with your neighbors and learn more about how and why the thirteen colonies went to war with the British Empire and created a new nation. Learn about individuals on all sides of the conflict (soldiers, leaders, civilians, Indigenous communities, and more) as the film examines both the ideals and complexities of America’s founding.   

Episode 1: In Order to Be Free (May 1754 - May 1775) explores how the influences of the Seven Years' War (aka the French and Indian War), the desire for westward expansion, and new taxes escalated from political protests to violence, giving the colonies a common cause. 

AGE GROUP: | All Ages |

EVENT TYPE: | Special Event | Movies & Film |

TAGS: | Virginia250 | movie | history | film | america250 | Alex250 | #250films |

Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
dprice@alexlibraryva.org
Phone: 703.746.1702
Fax: 703.746.1763
Branch manager
Diana Price
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Parking: The library has a large parking lot with 175 spaces.

Public Transit:

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Upcoming Events

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Storytime in the Reading Garden - Cuentos en el jardín de lectura
Mon, May 11, 11:00am - 11:30am
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Children love to be outdoors! Join us in Beatley Central Library's beautiful outdoor Reading Garden for stories, songs and movement. Ages 0-5 with an adult.
Teen Takeover
Mon, May 11, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Ages 12-18. Do homework, play games, and just hang out in an area set aside for teens ONLY!
English Language Learning (ELL) 2 Workshop - Intermediate Conversation
Mon, May 11, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Small Conference Room
This volunteer-led workshop provides a space for intermediate speakers to practice English and build confidence. No registration required. No certificates of completion are issued.
English Language Learning (ELL) 1 Workshop - Beginner Conversation
Tue, May 12, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Beginning English practice for English language learners. No registration needed or prior level of English. These workshops are led by volunteers and do not include certificates of completion.
Playtime! - ¡Hora de jugar!
Tue, May 12, 11:00am - 11:45am
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Meet your old friends and make new friends at an unstructured, outdoor playtime in the library's Reading Garden! Toys will be supplied. Ages 0-5 with an adult.
What to Expect at Work - A Parents Guide to Employment Protections
Tue, May 12, 6:15pm - 7:00pm
Large Meeting Room
This presentation provides an overview of workplace rights for employees who are pregnant, postpartum or lactating in the DMV area.
1s and 2s Time (first session) - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
Wed, May 13, 10:30am - 11:00am
Large Meeting Room
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2
1s and 2s Time (second session) - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
Wed, May 13, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2
English Language Learning (ELL) 2 Workshop - Intermediate Conversation
Wed, May 13, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Small Conference Room
This volunteer-led workshop provides a space for intermediate speakers to practice English and build confidence. No registration required. No certificates of completion are issued.
English Language Learning (ELL) 1 Workshop - Beginner Conversation
Thu, May 14, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Beginning English practice for English language learners. No registration needed or prior level of English. These workshops are led by volunteers and do not include certificates of completion.
Baby Bounce - for babies 0-14 months and their caretaker(s)
Thu, May 14, 1:15pm - 2:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Baby storytime, plus opportunities to build relationships with other caretakers of young children! For ages 0-14 months, accompanied by an adult. 15 months and older, please attend 1s and 2s.
Preschool Storytime
Thu, May 14, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Large Meeting Room
Join Miss Amy for stories, songs, movement, and activities just right for preschool children. Ages 3-5 with adult.
Tai Chi at Beatley Library - Balance Your Mind and Body
Thu, May 14, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden,Large Meeting Room
Join Jorge Banales as he gives free instruction on the Yang Style 24 Movement Tai Chi form on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month. Free and open to the public.
Coding Game Night - ages 6-12 - Hands-on fun in programming, robotics, and electronics!
Thu, May 14, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Story Room
Drop in and play with our coding board games, card games, toys, and robots! Ages 6-12.
Borrow a Board Game
Sat, May 16, 10:00am - 4:45pm
Use the library's board and card games while hanging out in the youth services area!
Grand Gaming Melee - Alexandria-Arlington Regional Gaming Group (AARGGH)
Sat, May 16, 10:30am - 4:30pm
Large Meeting Room
Grand Gaming Melee: The Alexandria-Arlington Regional Gaming Group (AARGGH) invites you to play dice games, card games, tile games, and just about any other kind of tabletop game. Register
Writers Group at Beatley
Sun, May 17, 1:00pm - 4:30pm
Small Conference Room
This is a twice-monthly forum for writers to work on drafts, network, and share moral support. Meets first and third Sundays. All are welcome!
Alzheimer's Association Caregiver Support Group
Sun, May 17, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Board Room
Alexandria Library partners with the Alzheimer's Association's National Area Chapter to bring you a quarterly support group at Beatley Central Library.
Alexandria Oddball Cinema - The Frame
Sun, May 17, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Oddball Cinema brings you all of the weird, eclectic, and lesser-known films you probably never saw in theaters. Click on the event title for more info!
The CHAT - Change Happens with Alexandria Teens
Mon, May 18, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Board Room
Ages 14-19. Participate in this special recorded conversation about being a teen in Alexandria.
This event is full
English Language Learning (ELL) 2 Workshop - Intermediate Conversation
Mon, May 18, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Small Conference Room
This volunteer-led workshop provides a space for intermediate speakers to practice English and build confidence. No registration required. No certificates of completion are issued.
English Language Learning (ELL) 1 Workshop - Beginner Conversation
Tue, May 19, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Beginning English practice for English language learners. No registration needed or prior level of English. These workshops are led by volunteers and do not include certificates of completion.
Banned Book Club - Explore and Unpack Challenged and Banned Books
Tue, May 19, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Small Conference Room
The book club will promote freedom of expression and support authors whose books have been banned or challenged.
1s and 2s Time (first session) - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
Wed, May 20, 10:30am - 11:00am
Large Meeting Room
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2
1s and 2s Time (second session) - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
Wed, May 20, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2
Paws to Read
Wed, May 20, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Story Room
Do you want to practice reading aloud? Do you like dogs? Sign up for a 15-minute reading slot to read to a dog by calling (703) 746-1753 or by stopping by Beatley's Children's Desk. Ages 6-12.
English Language Learning (ELL) 2 Workshop - Intermediate Conversation
Wed, May 20, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Small Conference Room
This volunteer-led workshop provides a space for intermediate speakers to practice English and build confidence. No registration required. No certificates of completion are issued.
English Language Learning (ELL) 1 Workshop - Beginner Conversation
Thu, May 21, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Beginning English practice for English language learners. No registration needed or prior level of English. These workshops are led by volunteers and do not include certificates of completion.
Baby Bounce - for babies 0-14 months and their caretaker(s)
Thu, May 21, 1:15pm - 2:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Baby storytime, plus opportunities to build relationships with other caretakers of young children! For ages 0-14 months, accompanied by an adult. 15 months and older, please attend 1s and 2s.
Handcraft Crafternoon
Thu, May 21, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Small Conference Room
Attention all handcrafters! Join us to share what you are working on, see what others are creating, and just chat while we craft together!
Preschool Storytime
Thu, May 21, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Large Meeting Room
Join Miss Amy for stories, songs, movement, and activities just right for preschool children. Ages 3-5 with adult.
Alexandria Oddball Cinema - Morgan
Thu, May 21, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Large Meeting Room
Oddball Cinema brings you all of the weird, eclectic, and lesser-known films you probably never saw in theaters. Click on the event title for more info!
Sound, Stress & Well Being - An Evidence-Based Guided Relaxation and Sound Journey
Sun, May 24, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Large Meeting Room
This program integrates brief, research-informed education with guided relaxation and a 45-minute sound journey using therapeutic-grade instruments.
English Language Learning (ELL) 1 Workshop - Beginner Conversation
Tue, May 26, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Beginning English practice for English language learners. No registration needed or prior level of English. These workshops are led by volunteers and do not include certificates of completion.
Handcraft Tuesday - Evening Edition
Tue, May 26, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Attention all handcrafters! Join us to share what you are working on, see what others are creating, and just chat while we craft together!Register
1s and 2s Time (first session) - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
Wed, May 27, 10:30am - 11:00am
Large Meeting Room
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2
1s and 2s Time (second session) - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
Wed, May 27, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2
English Language Learning (ELL) 2 Workshop - Intermediate Conversation
Wed, May 27, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Small Conference Room
This volunteer-led workshop provides a space for intermediate speakers to practice English and build confidence. No registration required. No certificates of completion are issued.
English Language Learning (ELL) 1 Workshop - Beginner Conversation
Thu, May 28, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Beginning English practice for English language learners. No registration needed or prior level of English. These workshops are led by volunteers and do not include certificates of completion.
Baby Bounce - for babies 0-14 months and their caretaker(s)
Thu, May 28, 1:15pm - 2:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Baby storytime, plus opportunities to build relationships with other caretakers of young children! For ages 0-14 months, accompanied by an adult. 15 months and older, please attend 1s and 2s.
Tai Chi at Beatley Library - Balance Your Mind and Body
Thu, May 28, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden,Large Meeting Room
Join Jorge Banales as he gives free instruction on the Yang Style 24 Movement Tai Chi form on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month. Free and open to the public.
Parlons Français - Adult Conversation Practice
Sat, May 30, 10:30am - 11:30am
Small Conference Room
French language practice for adults ready to move from formal instruction to real life conversation.
Spring Learn to Knit Class - A Partnership with Project Knitwell
Sat, May 30, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Board Room
This program is intended for people who are new to knitting or returning to knitting and in need of a refresher.
This event is full
The Knit Doctor Is In - A partnership with Project Knitwell
Sat, May 30, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Experienced knitters from Project Knitwell will offer their advice on your knottiest knitting problem.
Handcraft Tuesday - Weekend Edition
Sat, May 30, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Attention all handcrafters! Join us to share what you are working on, see what others are creating, and just chat while we craft together!
Art Break with Alexandria's Poet Laureate Cristi Donoso - A Creative Workshop for Parents and Caregivers
Sun, May 31, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Large Meeting Room
Parents and caregivers, enjoy an afternoon of making art as a way to rest, recharge, and share the complexities of caregiving with others.
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