Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex – The Best Historic Tour in Alexandria

Uncover Alexandria’s History Through Its Cemeteries

Located in Old Town Alexandria, VA, the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex is home to over 35,000 burials and is one of the most historic cemetery sites in the United States. Comprising 13 separate cemeteries, it dates back to 1796 and holds the graves of Revolutionary War heroes, Civil War soldiers, and forgotten figures. Explore its rich history on an expert-guided Alexandria cemetery tour.

At Gravestone Stories, we bring these histories to life through:

🚶 Guided Cemetery Tours in Alexandria – Walk through historic burial grounds with expert interpretation (Resuming in April 2025).
📖 Notable Burials – Discover the lives of Alexandria’s most fascinating figures.
📝 The Blog – Explore forgotten histories, rediscovered graves, and cemetery research.
🔍 Recent Research – Investigating lost graves and preserving Alexandria’s cemeteries.
🎤 Talks & Lectures – Engaging presentations on Alexandria’s cemetery history for historical groups, libraries, and organizations.

1865 view of Wilkes Street leading to Alexandria National Cemetery, then called the 'Military Cemetery,' with the archway, flagpole, Christ Church Episcopal, Trinity, and Methodist Protestant Cemeteries, and the Village of West in the distance.
Step back to 1865 with this rare photograph of Wilkes Street leading into what was then called the ‘Military Cemetery,’ now Alexandria National Cemetery. The archway once stood as a solemn gateway for Union soldiers who perished in Civil War hospitals. Flanking Wilkes Street are the historic resting places of generations buried in Methodist Protestant, Trinity, and Christ Church Episcopal Cemeteries. In the distance, beyond the flagpole—still standing in nearly the exact location today—is the Village of West. This historic view captures the evolving landscape of Alexandria during the Civil War—an image Sourced from the Library of Congress.

Winter Tour Pause Notice

📢 Winter Update:
Our guided cemetery tours are currently on pause for the winter season but will resume in April 2025—stay tuned for the schedule!

Sign Up for Updates


Gravestone a Week: Remarkable Burials & Lost Stories of Alexandria

Discover a New Story Every Week

Each week, we highlight a unique burial from Alexandria’s historic cemeteries, sparking curiosity and exploration. Linked to our Notable Burials and Blog, these stories bring forgotten legacies back to life.

This Week’s Featured Gravestone

Abraham Myers (1811–1889) – A Love So Strong, It Named a City

Gravestone of Abraham and Marion Myers in St. Paul’s Cemetery, Alexandria, Virginia.
Gravestone of Abraham and Marion Myers
Located in St. Paul’s Cemetery, Alexandria, Virginia, this gravestone marks the final resting place of Abraham C. Myers (1811–1889) and his wife, Marion Myers (1827–1893).

📍 St. Paul’s Cemetery, Alexandria, VA
💖 Fort Myers, Florida, was named in his honor on Valentine’s Day, 1850.

In a grand act of love, General David Twiggs renamed a Florida fort after his future son-in-law, Abraham Myers, to celebrate his engagement to Twiggs’ daughter, Marion. This touching tribute lives on today as Fort Myers, Florida—a city with a love story at its heart.

🔗 Read More: Love and Legacy: The Story Behind Fort Myers, Florida’s Namesake

Browse the Gravestone a Week Archive

Explore the Gravestone a Week Archive
Uncover past featured gravestones and their stories!

🔗  Explore the Gravestone a Week Archive View the Archive

📖 Discover More Notable Burials View More Notable Burials

📝 Read More Historic Blogs Explore the Blog

📅 Join a Guided Tour Book a Tour


Notable Burials & Hidden Histories from Alexandria’s Cemeteries

Revolutionary Era Patriots & Early American Leaders

🪦 Major Samuel Cooper – A participant in the Boston Tea Party and an officer in the Continental Army. Learn More

🪦 Doctor James Craik was the Continental Army’s Surgeon General and a close friend and confidant of George Washington. He was by Washington’s side at his death. Learn More

🪦 The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution – A tribute to an unidentified patriot who gave his life for American independence. Learn More

🪦 Dennis Ramsay – Mayor of Alexandria, the first to address George Washington as “Mr. President” and an honorary pallbearer at Washington’s funeral. Learn More

Civil War Figures

🪦 Wilmer McLean – His homes witnessed both the first and last battles of the Civil War. Learn More

🪦 Union and Confederate Soldiers, including the United States Colored Troops (U.S.C.T.) – Men who fought on both sides of the Civil War, including African American soldiers who fought for their freedom. Learn More

Alexandria’s Notable Citizens

🪦 Robert Allison – Killed in the Battle of the White House Landing during the War of 1812. Learn More

🪦 General John Mason – Sent Francis Scott Key on the mission that led to “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Learn More

🪦 Fields Cook – African American community leader known for his work in education and civil rights. Learn More

Intriguing Stories & Controversies

🪦 The “Female Stranger” – mysterious woman whose tombstone continues to puzzle historians and inspire legends. Learn More

🪦 Joseph Bruin – Infamous slave trader involved in the 1848 Pearl Incident, one of the largest attempted slave escapes in U.S. history. Learn More

🪦 William Wolf Weisband – Soviet spy who operated during the Cold War. Learn More

Each gravestone tells a unique story of Alexandria’s rich history. Join our guided tours to uncover the fascinating stories behind these remarkable lives and many more. Tours resuming April 2025!

Discover More Stories from Alexandria’s Historic Cemeteries


Recent Research & Rediscovered Graves at the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex

🔍 Rediscovered in 2024: The Lost Grave of Col. George Gilpin
In September 2024, the long-lost grave of Col. George Gilpin—Revolutionary War officer, Fairfax County surveyor, and Washington’s pallbearer—was rediscovered after centuries of uncertainty.

📖 Read the Full Story of the Rediscovery

🔍 Winter Archaeology: New Discoveries at Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex
In the Winter of 2024, historical research and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys led to multiple burial discoveries, including the unmarked grave of firefighter Charles Glasscock, lost in 1852. This research also revealed previously undocumented burials in the Adam/Irwin, Dundas, and Black family plots.

📖 Read the Full Story: Winter Archaeology & Rediscovered Graves

Historic Civil War-era photograph showing a bird’s-eye view from the Orange & Alexandria Railroad offices, with train cars in the foreground, the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex in the middle ground, and Fort Lyon in the distance. Fort Lyon was the site of a deadly 1863 powder magazine explosion that claimed the lives of 23 Union soldiers, who were later buried in Alexandria National Cemetery. Image source: Library of Congress.
This rare Civil War-era image, taken from the offices of the Orange & Alexandria Railroad, captures a view of train cars in the foreground, the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex in the middle distance, and Fort Lyon on the horizon. Sourced from the Library of Congress.

In 1863, a catastrophic explosion at Fort Lyon killed 23 Union soldiers—whose remains now rest in Alexandria National Cemetery. The blast, heard as far as Washington, left a lasting mark on Alexandria’s Civil War history. Read more about the explosion, the soldiers, and its impact on the city in our blog. 📖 Discover the whole story


This Month’s Featured Blog Story

Black Union soldiers of the 107th U.S. Colored Infantry stand in formation near Washington, D.C., in 1865. These brave men fought for the Union and for their own freedom and equality. (Library of Congress)
Brave soldiers of the 107th U.S. Colored Infantry, photographed in 1865, fought not only for the Union but for their own freedom and equality. (Library of Congress)

From Battlefield to Burial Ground: The USCT’s Fight for Equality at Alexandria National Cemetery

February’s featured story honors the legacy of the United States Colored Troops (USCT) at Alexandria National Cemetery. These brave soldiers fought for freedom, but their struggle didn’t end on the battlefield.

📖 Read the Full Story

🔹Explore More Stories from the Blog


Guided Tours of the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex

A group of visitors on a history tour at The Presbyterian Cemetery in Alexandria, VA, part of the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex. They explore local history among historic gravestones, mature trees, and a serene setting that reflects Alexandria’s rich past.
Discover History Where It Happened: A Guided Tour of the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex
Visitors explore The Presbyterian Cemetery, one of 13 burial grounds in the historic Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex. Among weathered gravestones and towering trees, they uncover stories of Revolutionary War heroes, Civil War soldiers, and Alexandria’s forgotten past.

Step into history as you explore Alexandria’s most historic burial grounds with expert guides. The Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex is home to Revolutionary War heroes, Civil War soldiers, and Alexandria’s forgotten figures—each with a unique story waiting to be uncovered.

📢 Explore the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex—tours Resume in April! Sign up for updates and be the first to know when new tours are scheduled.

Where Do Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex Tours Begin?

📢 Where Do Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex Tours Begin?
📍 Tour Locations:
✔ Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex – Alexandria’s largest historic burial site, including The Presbyterian Cemetery and Alexandria National Cemetery.
✔ 18th-Century Burial Ground at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House – Available upon request.

📍 Meeting Point: Tours typically start at the intersection of Wilkes Street and Hamilton Avenue in the heart of the cemetery complex.

📌 Address: 1475-1501 Wilkes St, Alexandria, VA 22314
🚗 Parking: Available on Wilkes and Hamilton Streets.
🚇 Public Transit: About 1 mile from King Street Metro.

📍 ❓ Where is the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex tour located?
✔ The Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex is located in Old Town Alexandria, VA, at 1475-1501 Wilkes St, just minutes from King Street Metro and the free King Street Trolley.

📍 ❓ What King Street Trolley Stop Should I Use?
✔ Take the free King Street Trolley and exit at the stop on either side of King Street at West Street. From there, walk two blocks south, crossing Duke Street, then continue past Jamison Avenue to a park with stairs leading to Wilkes Street.

✔ Once you reach Wilkes Street (1300 Wilkes Street), the cemetery complex will be in front of youBethel Cemetery will be directly ahead, while Douglass Cemetery will be on your right. Tours begin beyond Douglass Cemetery at the intersection of Wilkes Street and Hamilton Avenue.

🔗 📌 View on Google Maps (Clickable link)

Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex Tour Options (Resuming in April 2025)

Join over 1,000 history enthusiasts who have discovered Alexandria’s fascinating past through our expertly guided tours!

✔ Public Tours – Offered most Saturdays.

  • Duration: 90 minutes
  • Cost: $30 per person
  • Group discounts available

✔ Private & Custom Tours – Ideal for groups, families, and historical organizations.

  • Flexible scheduling
  • Custom content available
  • Special group rates – contact us for details

✔ Themed Walking Tours – Focus on Civil War graves, Revolutionary War burials, and African American history.

Each tour takes approximately 90 minutes

⛈️ Weather Policy: Tours run rain or shine, but we prioritize visitor safety. In case of severe weather (thunderstorms, extreme conditions), tours will be canceled and rescheduled. All registrants will be notified via email at least 2 hours before the tour start time.

❓ Have questions? Check out our comprehensive FAQ page for answers about our tours, the cemetery complex, and Alexandria’s history.

📢 Tours Resume in April – Sign Up for Updates!

🔗 Book Your Tour View FAQ | Contact Us


Tour Reviews & Testimonials

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Fascinating tour! David brought Alexandria’s cemeteries to life with incredible storytelling, weaving together history, personal stories, and rediscovered graves.” – John D.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “A must-do for history lovers! Madeline’s knowledge of Civil War burials, Alexandria’s wartime hospitals, and the lives of soldiers who died here was outstanding.” – Sarah K.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Catherine’s tour was an incredible experience! I never realized how much history was hidden in these cemeteries, especially the stories of Alexandria’s firefighters and their sacrifices.” – Michael P.

📢 Interested in a guided tour? View Tour Schedule


Our Expert Alexandria Tour Guides

Our tours are led by historians with deep expertise in Alexandria’s burial grounds, Civil War history, and firefighting heritage.

David Heiby – Public Historian & Superintendent of The Presbyterian Cemetery

📖 Historian for the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex
🪦 Superintendent of The Presbyterian Cemetery
🏛️ Vice President of the Virginia Trust for Historic Preservation
📊 Treasurer, Alexandria Historical Society

David specializes in Alexandria’s cemetery history, historic burials, and grave rediscoveries. His work includes the 2024 rediscovery of Col. George Gilpin’s lost grave and the 2023 identification of Philip Richard Fendall Sr. and his two wives’ burial sites. He continues to lead cemetery preservation efforts and historical research initiatives.

⚔️ Battlefield & Assassination Site Tours
David has 25+ years of experience leading battlefield tours, specializing in the 1862 Maryland Campaign at Antietam, South Mountain, and Harpers Ferry. His historical tours have also explored key sites in Washington, D.C., Southern Maryland, and other locations tied to the Lincoln assassination.

🎤 Licensed Washington, D.C. Tour Guide, qualified to lead specialized historical tours at key sites in the nation’s capital.

Madeline Feierstein – Expert on Civil War Hospitals & Prisons

🔍 Civil War hospital & prison researcher
🎤 Docent & tour guide at Lee-Fendall House Museum
🏛️ Intern at Clara Barton Missing Soldiers Office Museum
🎖️ Alexandria Historical Society Grant Award Winner

Madeline specializes in the Union soldiers who died in Alexandria during the Civil War, focusing on military hospitals and wartime medical care. She has extensively researched the Lee-Fendall House, which served as a Civil War hospital, and the Alexandria National Cemetery, where many soldiers were laid to rest.

Her work at the Clara Barton Missing Soldiers Office Museum deepens her knowledge of Civil War-era medical care and post-war recovery efforts for missing soldiers.

📜 In 2024, Madeline received a grant from the Alexandria Historical Society to support her research and writing of a book on Alexandria’s Civil War hospitals and prisons, further enriching the understanding of the city’s history.

Catherine Weinraub – Ivy Hill Cemetery Historian & Alexandria’s Firefighting History Expert

🔥 Expert on Alexandria’s fire history & firefighting burials
📖 Historian for Ivy Hill Cemetery
🏛️ Trustee of the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association

Catherine specializes in Alexandria’s firefighting history and the burials of volunteer firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty. Her research includes:

  • The 1852 death of Charles Glasscock, a firefighter run over by a fire engine (his unmarked grave was rediscovered in Winter 2024).
  • The deadly Dowell China Shop Fire (Nov. 17, 1855), where seven volunteer firefighters were killed and others severely injured.
  • Ivy Hill Cemetery burials, which include prominent Alexandrians and historic firefighting figures.

📖 Author of Friendship Fire Company 250th Anniversary 1774–2024 Alexandria, VA, a publication commemorating the 250th anniversary of Alexandria’s historic Friendship Fire Company, further cementing her expertise in the city’s firefighting history.

📌 Each of our guides brings a unique historical perspective, offering a deeper connection to Alexandria’s past.

Learn More About Our Guides


Upcoming & Past Talks

Upcoming Historical Talks

📜 Lee-Fendall House Museum – Outstanding Women of Ivy Hill Cemetery, presented by Catherine Weinraub on Friday, March 7.

📢 Reserve Your Spot:
 Purchase Tickets Here

Highlights from Past Talks & Presentations

📜 The Alexandria Historical Society – Alexandria’s Civil War History, presented by Madeline Feierstein.

📜 SAR & DAR Chapters – The Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex, presented by David Heiby.

📜 The Lee-Fendall House Museum – Alexandria’s Friendship Fire Company, presented by Catherine Weinraub.

📜 The John Marshall Library – Alexandria National Cemetery’s History, presented by David Heiby.

📢 Interested in hosting a historical talk for your organization?

🔗 Request a Speaker


Self-Guided Exploration for Winter Visitors

📍 Visiting in Winter? Explore on Your Own!

While guided tours are paused for the season, you can still visit Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex at your own pace. Use our self-guided walking tour materials and cemetery maps to explore Alexandria’s historic burial grounds.

🔗 View Self-Guided Tour Resources


Latest Stories from Alexandria’s Past

Explore the latest discoveries and forgotten histories of Alexandria—from fiery disasters to Civil War legacies.

🔥 The Alexandria Fire of 1855: A Night of Tragedy & Heroism
A devastating fire tore through Alexandria, testing the bravery of its firefighters and reshaping the city forever.
📖 Read the Full Story

⚔️ Samuel Cooper: From Respected Army Officer to Confederate General
Uncover the fascinating journey of a man who served two nations during one of America’s most tumultuous times.
📖  Explore His Story

⚰️ From Crisis to Chronicle: The Yellow Fever Epidemic and the Evolution of Alexandria’s Historic Cemeteries
A deadly yellow fever epidemic swept through Alexandria, leaving behind a lasting impact on the city’s burial grounds and public health policies.
📖 Learn More → 

📖 Read the Latest Stories →


Preserving Alexandria’s Past: Our Historical Affiliations

Alexandria’s rich history is preserved and interpreted by dedicated organizations that engage the community through research, education, and historic site preservation. The Alexandria Historical Society works to document and promote the city’s past. At the same time, the Lee-Fendall House Museum, owned and operated by the Virginia Trust for Historic Preservation, offers insight into Alexandria’s evolving history through one of its most significant historic homes.

📜 Alexandria Historical Society & Lee-Fendall House Museum


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