The Lyceum has an extensive collection of locally produced stoneware.

The Lyceum's collection includes the original 1839 lyceum building constructed by The Lyceum Company and the Alexandria Library Company as well as over 1,500 objects relating to the history of Alexandria, Virginia. In 1992, The Lyceum achieved accreditation by the American Association of Museums, a distinction awarded to the nation's leading museums.

The original lyceum building is the museum's most treasured artifact, representing one of the country's best examples of Greek Revival architecture. Since its construction more than 150 years ago, The Lyceum has been used as a cultural center, a barracks and hospital, a private residence, an office building and as Virginia's first Bicentennial Center. The early history of the building is told in an interpretive display located on the first floor of the museum.

Although Alexandria is fortunate to have several specialized museums, The Lyceum is the only one that collects and interprets artifacts and history from all periods of the City's past, from its founding in 1749 through the present day. (Alexandria Archaeology collects material earlier than 1749.) The collection includes architectural fragments removed from the building during renovation, furniture, textiles, ceramics, silver, glass, records from Alexandria businesses, tools, art, newspapers, toys and almost anything else that would help to tell the community's story.

Particular strengths of the collection are: silver, including late 18th- and early 19th-century pieces made by Charles Burnett, Adam Lynn, William Williams and John P. Latruite; ceramics, with an emphasis on 19th-century stoneware made and/or sold in Alexandria by John Swann, H.C. Smith, B.C. Milburn and E.J. Miller; furniture made by Charles Koones and the Green family business; original documents including many personal and business papers; tools representing a variety of skilled and unskilled trades and agricultural activities; photographs made by noted 19th-century photographers Mathew Brady, Andrew Russell, and Alexander Gardner.

The Lyceum staff is always interested in locating objects made or used in Alexandria including photographs, documents and memorabilia. If you know of any artifacts that would be of interest to the museum, please contact Curator Kristin Lloyd for more information at 703-838-4994.