2026 SESSION
ENROLLED
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 239
Commending Alexandria Searls.
Agreed to by the Senate, March 10, 2026
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 12, 2026
WHEREAS, after 22 years of diligent leadership, Alexandria Searls retired as executive director of the Lewis & Clark Exploratory Center in Charlottesville on September 1, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the Lewis & Clark Exploratory Center was established in 2000 to study and interpret the historic expedition by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, both of whom had once lived in Albemarle County, to cross the newly acquired western territories of the United States after the Louisiana Purchase between 1804 and 1806; and
WHEREAS, after Alexandria Searls began serving as executive director in 2003, she oversaw the creation of a 2,500-square-foot facility for the center, which originally operated out of the Keelboat Barn, a full-size replica of one of the boats used on the expedition; and
WHEREAS, Alexandria Searls was highly admired for her humility and incomparable work ethic; she went above and beyond to keep the center operating efficiently and effectively, wearing many hats and undertaking any task required of her; and
WHEREAS, Alexandria Searls acquired a grant through the Bama Works Fund, a philanthropic fund established by musician Dave Matthews that is now administered by the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, to develop new programs that intertwine literacy skills, historical education, and outdoor recreation; and