Experience Over 200 Years of Captivating History in Our Signature Guided Tours
Join our celebrated walking tours showcasing over 200 years of Alexandria history at the historic Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex, consistently praised as a one-of-a-kind experience. Over 1.5-2 hours, our signature guided tours will immerse you in captivating, untold stories of those laid to rest here that reveal our city’s past. Discover why Alexandria’s history is intricately woven into the broader American narrative as you uncover stories of key figures, events, and more buried here.
Tour Options:
- Public Tours – Available most Saturdays, embark on an immersive journey through over 200 years of Alexandria’s diverse history. Experience a captivating and educational tour at an affordable price.
- Private Tours – Weekday availability for a more customizable experience tailored to your unique interests. Inquire about private tour options and explore Alexandria’s history on your schedule.
Uncover Remarkable Tales
- Wilmer McLean’s improbable witness to both the first and last battles of the Civil War.
- Meet the fiery 16-year-old patriot Samuel Cooper, who dumped tea into Boston Harbor and battled at “other sanguinary Fields.”
- Relive Alexandria’s valiant yet overlooked 1814 Potomac River naval battle – known as the “Battle of the White House” – which directly set the stage for writing America’s iconic national anthem in the aftermath.
- Hear Samuel Johnston’s fateful Gettysburg scouting that steered Confederate plans—linked, by some, to pivotal defeat.
- Uncover the origins of the enduring title “Mr. President,” first used by Dennis Ramsay to address George Washington at a 1789 farewell party. This title sets a precedent that is still honored today.
- Meet globetrotting Alexandria naval officer Sydney Smith Lee, who helped open Japan while his prominent brother emerged as the top Confederate leader in the Civil War.
- Relive the perilous 1848 slave escape attempt aboard The Pearl, which galvanized abolitionists and inspired a book that pushed the nation toward war.
- Pay tribute to Reverend Fields Cook, an influential African American civil rights pioneer.
- Hear the tragic first-hand account of arriving at Little Bighorn’s aftermath from an army surgeon, whose family legacy traces back to the American Revolution, where his great-grandfather, John Paulding, played a pivotal role in capturing John André, the British spy conspiring with Benedict Arnold.
- Relive the journey behind Alexandria’s T.C. Williams High School football team of Remember the Titans fame. Learn Julius Campbell’s pivotal leadership role on this integrated squad that succeeded in becoming state champions amidst racial divides in 1971.
- Step into Alexandria National Cemetery, the pioneering historic resting place where 249 United States Colored Troop soldiers rest in solemn vigil. This hallowed ground harbors whispers of valor — the fight for liberty echoing through every memorial stone. Join us in this sacred embrace of heritage and sacrifice, where Civil War heroes guard America’s enduring promise of equality in their eternal slumber beneath these solemn trees.
. . .and many more astounding true stories that will amaze you!
See What Our Guests Are Saying
Don’t just take our word for it. As featured by Visit Alexandria Now, the Alexandria Visitor’s Center, and touted by fellow area tour guides, guests consistently rank our tours as the best they have ever experienced. Visitors routinely call the tours “fascinating,” “moving,” and “unforgettable”—overflowing with praise about this premier Alexandria history experience.
Dive Deeper into Alexandria’s Histories
Alexandria’s cemeteries are a treasure trove of notable burials and fascinating stories that reflect the city’s rich history. From the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution and Dr. James Craik, George Washington’s close surgeon friend, in the Old Presbyterian Meeting House 18th-century burial ground on S. Fairfax Street, to General John Mason, who sent Francis Scott Key on the mission that inspired the Star Spangled Banner, in Christ Church Cemetery, each site holds unique tales waiting to be discovered.
The Presbyterian Cemetery, part of The Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex, is the final resting place of Robert Adam, a signer of the Fairfax Resolves, and Alva Harvey, a U.S. Army Air Service member during the 1924 First Flight Around the World. To explore these captivating stories further and others, delve into our Alexandria’s Noteworthy Burials collection, featuring over 200 mini-biographies of significant figures interred across Alexandria’s historic cemeteries.
Continue Your Journey with Our Blog
Expand your discovery of Alexandria’s history through the Gravestone Stories blog – your resource for even deeper insights into the city’s hidden narratives.
Our blog entries further chronicle additional stories and context beyond the < 200 mini-biographies in the Notable Burials collection. Delve into rich historical accounts through our blog, which provides more detailed information separate from the abbreviated bios.
Whether a history buff or simply curious, the Gravestone Stories blog allows you to continue uncovering true Alexandria stories that shaped America.
Explore the Historic Background of Alexandria’s Cemeteries
Discover the captivating history of 18th-century burials in Alexandria and the influential role of the Anglican Church in shaping the city’s cemeteries. Please navigate to our Historic Background tab to uncover the intriguing origins of the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex. Immerse yourself in the rich stories behind these sacred grounds and understand how they have contributed to Alexandria’s development over time.
Discover Alexandria’s Cemeteries and Access Helpful Resources
Are you looking to explore more of Alexandria’s cemeteries on your own? Visit our Find a Cemetery tab for a comprehensive guide to the city’s historic burial sites. For additional information, check out our Cemetery Guides and Maps tab, where you’ll find our informative brochure about Gravestone Stories and tours in the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex, or click on the call to action button below.
Why Choose Gravestone Stories?
- Bring Alexandria’s Hidden Histories to Light. Our fully customized tours uncover captivating stories found nowhere else.
- Make Local History Accessible. We’re invested in community education and awareness of these meaningful stories.
- Support Preservation Efforts. Your participation sustains the cemetery restoration work preserving these sites.
Explore Alexandria’s Cemeteries Past Tours and Events Photos
Step back in time and discover the rich history of Alexandria’s cemeteries through captivating photos from our past tours and events. From the iconic Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex to other historic burial grounds, witness the fascinating stories and hidden histories that come to life during our expertly guided cemetery tours.
Explore Community Events
Participating in our community events allows you to Experience Alexandria’s rich history beyond the cemetery tours. From Cemetery Clean-up Days to Wreath-Laying Ceremonies and Flag-in Day at the National Cemetery, there are numerous opportunities to engage with and honor our city’s past. Check out our upcoming events calendar and join us in preserving and celebrating Alexandria’s heritage.
Plan Your Visit
Continue Your Journey
Join us on a remarkable passage through time – book a one-of-a-kind tour revealing Alexandria’s hidden histories today.
Explore The Website
Learn more about available public and private tour options, featured stories covered, scheduling, and more as you plan your visit.
Getting To The Cemetery Complex
Detailed directions, including parking, accessibility routes, and options.
Let’s venture into the past together!
- Driving Directions: For detailed directions, click here! Street parking is available on Wilkes Street and Hamilton Avenue.
- On Foot:
- From Old Town: It’s just a mile’s walk to the complex. Find Wilkes Street and walk west.
- From Carlyle: Head east on Jamison Ave, cross Hooff’s Run, and enter through Alexandria National Cemetery on Jamison or via Christ Church Cemetery.
- By Trolley: Take the free King Street Trolley to King St. & West St., then enjoy a short walk to the complex.
Step Into the Past
At Gravestone Stories, we offer more than just a tour – an immersive portal revealing Alexandria’s hidden histories. Join us on a remarkable passage through time – book a one-of-a-kind tour that uncovers the untold stories of Alexandria’s past today. Let’s venture into the past together!
