At Gravestone Stories, we proudly introduce our expert Alexandria tour guides: David Heiby, our founder and authority on American history from the colonial era through the 19th century, and Catherine Weinraub, a leading historian of Alexandria’s firefighting heritage and Victorian-era cemeteries.
Together, they bring more than five decades of combined experience in historical research, museum interpretation, and heritage preservation. Their passion for uncovering and sharing Alexandria’s stories has helped shape how residents and visitors alike experience the city’s past.
Our guides regularly present to organizations such as the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution, Colonial Dames, the Alexandria Historical Society, the Lee-Fendall House Museum, and Friendship Firehouse. Their expertise ensures an engaging and educational experience for all audiences—from lifelong history enthusiasts to first-time visitors.
David Heiby: A Living Bridge Between Alexandria’s Past and Present
David Heiby is a public historian and the creator of Gravestone Stories, a nationally recognized digital history platform featured by Emerging Civil War. Through compelling tours, original research, and interactive maps, he has become one of the leading voices interpreting Alexandria’s cemetery landscapes as outdoor archives of American history.
Growing up in the Old Presbyterian Meeting House, where he is still a member today, David’s connection to history was literally beneath his feet. His family pew overlooked the grave of Dr. James Craik, George Washington’s physician and chief mourner, and sat just 13 feet above Dr. James Muir’s final resting place—the pastor who helped lay the cornerstone of both Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Capitol.
David’s connection to broader national history began on his 11th birthday with a visit to Appomattox Court House. In a full-circle moment, he now leads tours through the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex—final resting place of Wilmer McLean, whose home witnessed both the beginning and end of the Civil War.
Heiby is the longtime Superintendent of Alexandria’s Presbyterian Cemetery, where he has worked with archaeologists, descendants, and city partners to rediscover lost graves, install new historical markers, and protect sacred ground. He currently serves as Treasurer of the Alexandria Historical Society and Treasurer of the Virginia Trust for Historic Preservation—which owns and operates the Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden—and as a member of Alexandria’s America250 Committee, helping shape the city’s contributions to the 250th anniversary of the United States.
In addition to his preservation work, Heiby has developed five interactive maps that connect Alexandria’s cemeteries to broader stories of civic, military, and cultural history—including Revolutionary War patriots, Civil War hospitals, fallen firefighters, and the city’s African American heritage. He also created a long-range historical timeline that begins in 1607 and situates Alexandria’s local stories within the larger currents of American and global history—from transatlantic political revolutions to modern preservation efforts.
His research is cited by city officials and academic institutions—including the Dictionary of Virginia Biography by the Library of Virginia—and integrated into public commemorations, historic plaques, and preservation initiatives.
A former CEO of a successful international hand tool company, David transitioned to history full time after selling his business in 2021. He draws on years of self-directed research and professional training at Penn State Mont Alto and the University of Virginia to bring Alexandria’s past to life.
Whether guiding guests through Revolutionary War legacies, Civil War hospitals, espionage stories, or newly uncovered burial records, David offers a tour and speaking experience grounded in discovery, dignity, and historical depth.
Catherine Weinraub: Alexandrian Heritage and Firefighting History Tours
Catherine Weinraub, one of Gravestone Stories’ most knowledgeable guides, brings Alexandria’s past to life through compelling narratives and extensive historical research. Her professional background includes work with the Office of Historic Alexandria, George Washington’s Mount Vernon, and Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial.
She currently serves as Historian for the Ivy Hill Cemetery Historical Preservation Society, where she successfully led the effort to have Ivy Hill Cemetery listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2024. Initiating the process in 2022, Catherine coordinated research with the National Park Service and academic partners to secure this prestigious designation, ensuring lasting recognition for one of Alexandria’s most historic landscapes. She also serves as Historian for the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association, continuing her long-standing dedication to public history and preservation.
Catherine leads tours of both Ivy Hill Cemetery and the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex, each offering a distinct experience of Alexandria’s buried history. Her Ivy Hill Cemetery Tour: Victorian Elegance and Notable Lives takes visitors inside one of the city’s most elegant Victorian cemeteries to explore the historic receiving vault, learn about Victorian funeral customs, and uncover the lives of apothecary owners, financiers, treaty writers, hotel proprietors, and veterans who shaped Alexandria’s story. With its blend of history, atmosphere, and expert insight, her tour offers an authentic encounter with the city’s past unlike any other.
In 2023, Catherine authored Friendship Fire Company 250th Anniversary 1774–2024 Alexandria, Virginia, a book commemorating the city’s firefighting heritage and celebrating its longest-serving volunteer fire company.
Join one of Catherine’s tours to explore Alexandria’s firefighting past and its Victorian-era cemeteries, where heroic volunteers, notable citizens, and timeless stories reveal the city’s enduring character.
Book Your Tour Today
Our expert guides—David Heiby and Catherine Weinraub—invite you to discover Alexandria’s hidden history through immersive, research-driven storytelling. Whether exploring Revolutionary War legacies, Civil War medicine, or Victorian cemeteries, each tour offers a rich and memorable connection to the past.
