Alexandria cemetery tours and historical experiences led by a working historian
America's Most Historic Cemetery Complex Tour
The Crown Jewel Experience
Walk among 35,000+ stories in the only place where George Washington's pallbearers, a Soviet spy, and the highest-ranking Confederate general rest within a single square mile.
This is the tour that sets us apart. Led by David Heiby—cemetery superintendent and the historian who rediscovered Washington's lost pallbearer after 200 years—this exclusive experience reveals discoveries that took decades to uncover.
What Makes This Unique
- Exclusive access to America's Most Historic Cemetery Complex
- Recently rediscovered graves including George Washington's pallbearer Col. George Gilpin (2024)
- Stories found nowhere else from archives and records other operators can't access
- Working historian guide who made the discoveries personally
- 13 historic cemeteries (1796-1933) in one remarkable location
Tour Highlights
- George Washington's lost pallbearer — rediscovered after 200 years through ground-penetrating radar
- Codename 'Zhora': The spy who blinded America — Cold War espionage with devastating consequences
- "The war began in my front yard and ended in my parlor" — history's most extraordinary Civil War coincidence
- The Female Stranger of Room 8 — Alexandria's greatest unsolved mystery for over 200 years
- The Confederate general who outranked Robert E. Lee — forgotten story that rewrites Civil War hierarchy
- …and many more extraordinary discoveries waiting to be revealed
Details
Duration: 90 minutes | Location: 1475–1501 Wilkes Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Schedule: Thursday through Saturday; times vary seasonally — see Viator for current dates | Rating: 5.0 on TripAdvisor & Viator
Pricing
Private group pricing reflects a flat group rate.
Public Tours
$30 per person
Private Groups (1–6)
$450
Private Groups (7–12)
$700
Private Groups (13–20)
$950
Private Groups (21–35)
$1,200
Custom conference themes, extended programs, and evening scheduling available upon request. Private group tours are generally available Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Exclusive Alexandria Historical Tours
Three more ways to walk through Alexandria's history — each built on original research, each unavailable anywhere else.
Rebellious Scoundrels: The Patriots of Alexandria's Presbyterian Meeting House
Where Patriots Planned Revolution
In 1774 a Loyalist diarist dismissed this congregation as "a set of rebellious scoundrels." He meant it as an insult. We wear it as a badge. Walk the 18th-century burial ground of today's Old Presbyterian Meeting House — still an active congregation after 250+ years — with David Heiby, lifelong member (60+ years) and working historian.
Exclusive Access
- The sanctuary rebuilt in 1837 after fire claimed the 1775 original
- Historic burial ground with Revolutionary War patriots
- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution (1929)
- Stories of Dr. James Craik (Washington's personal physician) and other founding figures
How to Book
No guide fee; please make a donation to the church (suggested $350 per group, up to 10).
Public dates are announced on our Tours page and through Tour Alerts.
From Enslavement to Justice
How African Americans Forced Change in Alexandria
Our most powerful walk — two years in the making. Across eight historic cemeteries, participants themselves give voice to twenty-one first-person narratives, read aloud at the gravesides of the men and women who fought their way from bondage to freedom and reshaped Alexandria doing it.
The Experience
- Twenty-one first-person narratives, voiced by participants at the gravesides
- Eight historic cemeteries in a single walk
- Stories drawn from original archival research
- Hear their voices. Remember their stories.
The Cemetery Stories of the Lee-Fendall House
From a Storied Home to the Stones That Remember It
One of Alexandria's most storied homes, and the graves of the people who filled it — Lees, Fendalls, and the families whose lives ran through its rooms for nearly two centuries. A partnership tour with the Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden.
Tour Highlights
- The families of the 1785 house, told at the stones that remember them
- A partnership with the Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden
- Seasonal lantern tours of the house with living-history portrayals, including Mayor E. E. Downham
Why Choose Our Tours
A Working Historian, Not a Tour Guide
Your guide is the researcher who made the discoveries, not an entertainer reciting a script.
Exclusive Access & Stories
Visit locations and hear stories unavailable through other operators—from cemetery superintendent privileges to decades of primary source research.
Academic Recognition
Research cited in Dictionary of Virginia Biography and endorsed by City of Alexandria for National Register nomination.
Perfect 5.0 Rating
Consistent excellence across TripAdvisor and Viator with praise for unique discoveries, accuracy, and access.
25+ Years of Expertise
Decades of historical guiding, archival research, and site stewardship—including 10+ years as superintendent of Alexandria's Presbyterian Cemetery.
Featured Recognition
Featured in Emerging Civil War and research contributed to National Register of Historic Places nominations.
Meet Your Historian
David Heiby
Public historian, cemetery superintendent, and founder of Gravestone Stories
Over 25 years of historical guiding and 10+ years as steward of Alexandria's Presbyterian Cemetery. Research cited by Library of Virginia and featured in Emerging Civil War.
Reserve Your Historical Experience
Phone: (703) 869-0872
Email: dave@gravestonestories.com
Available Tours:
Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex (Public & Private) • Rebellious Scoundrels at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House • From Enslavement to Justice (Select Dates & Private) • The Cemetery Stories of the Lee-Fendall House (via the Museum) • Expert Talks & Living-History Programs • Custom Historical Experiences
Group Options:
Corporate and educational group programs • Custom itineraries for special interests • Academic and genealogical research tours • DAR & SAR chapters especially welcome
Most tours available year-round by advance request. Public cemetery tours typically run Thursday through Saturday; private groups Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Private group and speaking requests: submit a request here.
Explore our interactive maps or browse 50+ notable burial profiles featured on our tours.
Have questions? Visit our FAQ page for tour details and booking information.
