Original research articles, archival discoveries, and historical essays drawn from more than a decade of fieldwork in Alexandria's historic cemeteries — stories you won't find anywhere else.
Ten of the Revolutionary War patriots buried in Alexandria’s historic cemeteries share a distinction that has nothing to do with a battlefield. In 1785, each signed his name to the Memorial and Remonstrance — James Madison’s petition against a tax to fund the Christian church, and one of the founding documents of American religious liberty. … Read more
Alexandria’s Revolutionary War patriots left a legacy that extended far beyond the battlefield—into the fire companies, civic institutions, and burial grounds that shaped the city they helped found. This article originally appeared in the May 2026 newsletter of the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association (FVFEA). As the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, … Read more
On December 14, 1799, George Washington died at Mount Vernon. Four days later, on December 18, George Washington’s funeral brought many of Alexandria’s leading citizens to Mount Vernon — physicians who had fought to save him, clergy who conducted the burial service, and pallbearers who had known him as a neighbor, a merchant, and a … Read more
How Following Presidential Orders Led to a Charge of Treason—and How the Evidence Finally Clears His Name A Wednesday Afternoon Discovery in Special Collections On Wednesday, January 15, 2026, historian Catherine Weinraub sat in the Special Collections room at Alexandria’s Kate Waller Barrett Library, working through Box 240 of the Cazenove Family papers. She pulled … Read more
The only surviving record of the Liberia constitutional convention lies in the journal of a man buried in Alexandria’s Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex A Grave with International Significance Walk through Trinity Methodist Cemetery in Alexandria’s Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex, and you’ll encounter a weathered gravestone featuring the carved image of an open book. Most visitors pass by … Read more
The Formation of the 11th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment The Fire Zouaves, consisting of multiple regiments including the 11th Regiment New York Volunteer Infantry, were assembled in New York City in May 1861. This infantry regiment of the Union Army was formed as a Zouave unit and was composed of volunteers from the city’s … Read more
August 2025 – Lost Alexandria firefighter from deadly 1855 fire finally found using ground-penetrating radar in historic Christ Church Episcopal Cemetery A Corner of Forgotten Heroes J. Carson Greene, who died heroically battling the deadly 1855 Dowell China Shop fire, has finally been located after 170 years through cutting-edge ground-penetrating radar technology. This extraordinary discovery … Read more
Born in 1851 in Alexandria, George W. Petty left an enduring mark on the city as a business owner, public servant, and firefighting hero. Though little is known about his early life, by 1876, Petty appears in the Alexandria City Directory as the proprietor of a saloon at the fish wharf, residing on Union Street near King. Over the next … Read more
George Whalen, the youngest firefighter in Alexandria’s history to die as a result of a fire, is remembered for his youthful courage, deep community ties, and ultimate sacrifice. His death left a lasting impact on the city and continues to resonate with generations of firefighters and residents. Every October, the Alexandria Fire Department holds a … Read more
On the morning of January 18, 1827, panic spread through the streets of Alexandria, Virginia. A fire had broken out in a warehouse on Royal Street—part of the Green Furniture Factory—just as workers returned from breakfast. What began as a workplace accident quickly became a citywide catastrophe, known ever since as Alexandria’s Great Fire. The blaze … Read more
The Alexandria Fire of 1855: A Night That Changed Alexandria Forever The Alexandria Fire of 1855 was one of the most devastating events in the city’s history. Fires were an ever-present threat in 19th-century Alexandria. With row houses built primarily from wood and warehouses stocked with highly flammable materials, the city was vulnerable to devastating … Read more
Samuel Cooper Confederate General: A Complex Legacy Few figures in American military history embody the complexities of loyalty and leadership like Samuel Cooper, a Confederate General whose legacy reflects the turbulent times of the Civil War. Born on June 12, 1798, in Dutchess County, New York, he began his military career as a U.S. Army … Read more
In an exciting archaeological development, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) scans conducted on September 14, 2024, may have finally located the long-lost grave of George Gilpin, a Revolutionary War hero and one of Alexandria’s most influential early citizens. This discovery of George Gilpin’s presumptive grave not only solves a historical mystery but also provides us with an … Read more
Introduction On August 1, 1803, Alexandria, Virginia—a thriving port city of 6,000 souls—faced one of the most devastating crises in its history. A yellow fever epidemic descended upon the town, leaving in its wake a trail of death, fear, and, ultimately, transformation. This tragic event would lead to the creation of the Wilkes Street Cemetery … Read more
Introduction Discover the untold story of courage, sacrifice, and the fight for equality at Alexandria National Cemetery. This hallowed ground isn’t just a final resting place for Civil War soldiers; it’s a powerful testament to the bravery of the United States Colored Troops (USCT) both on and off the battlefield. From their valiant efforts at … Read more