Step into Alexandria’s Historic Cemeteries and Their Stories

Discover the fascinating lives buried in Alexandria’s most historic cemeteries.

Book a tour through Alexandria’s most historic cemeteries and step into the stories that shaped the nation. Gravestone Stories offers immersive, expert-led walking tours of the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex and other sacred sites across the city.

Whether you’re a history lover, genealogist, student, or visitor, our immersive tours connect you to Alexandria’s past like never before.

Upcoming Public Tours — Reserve Your Spot Today!

Juneteenth Walking Tour

Saturday, June 21, 2025 | 12:00 PM
Explore the stories of African Americans buried in Alexandria’s historic cemeteries—from freedom seekers to victims of injustice.
Held in conjunction with the Frederick Douglass Cemetery Juneteenth commemoration.

Full description available at booking.
Book Now – $30 →

Lives Linked to Lee-Fendall

Saturday, June 28, 2025 | 11:00 AM
Uncover rarely told stories of those connected to the Lee-Fendall House, from the Revolution to the Civil War.
Specialty tour with limited availability.

Full description available at booking.
Book Now – $30 →

Tickets are sold securely through our trusted partner EVVNT. Click “Book Now” to complete your booking safely.

To see all upcoming tours, talks, and events, please visit our Master Calendar.

What People Are Saying

“Attended an excellent tour this morning with my DAR chapter of the Wilkes Street Cemetery led by historians David Heiby and Madeline Feierstein of @gravestonestoriesva. They were a wealth of knowledge about early U.S. and Virginia history. Fascinating!”
— Amy D., Daughter of the American Revolution Member

“Put this tour on your MUST see and do list if coming to DC! Dave is not just incredibly knowledgeable—he’s a master storyteller who brings history to life.”
— Jessica C., Google Review

Private & Custom Tours — Tailored Just for You

Looking for a personalized experience? We design custom tours perfect for:

Families and genealogy groups
Schools and universities
Corporate or nonprofit teams
Historical societies and community groups

Email: dave@gravestonestories.com
Phone/Text: (703) 869-0872

Why Choose Gravestone Stories?

Our tours aren’t ghost walks or dramatized reenactments—they’re grounded in real history, told at the final resting places of those who lived it.

Led by public historians and local experts—not actors
Based on original research, archival sources, and verified records
Focused on true stories from across Alexandria’s rich history—Revolutionary patriots, Civil War soldiers, Mexican-American War veterans, Indian Wars participants, spies, civilians, and the often overlooked

It’s a powerful way to experience Alexandria’s layered past—through the lives of those who shaped it.

Have Questions? Here Are the Basics at a Glance

Where do tours start?
At the Wilkes Street and Hamilton Avenue intersection near the Methodist Protestant Cemetery.
How long are the tours?
Typically 90 minutes — enough time to explore stories without rushing.
What should I wear?
Comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended.
Are tours accessible?
Some areas have paved paths, but the terrain can be uneven. Please get in touch with us for details or visit our FAQ page for more information.
Can I bring children or pets?
Please see our policy details on the FAQ page.

Want all the details?

Visit our FAQ page for answers about tour length, accessibility, group rates, and more.

Ready to Explore Alexandria’s Past?

Book your tour now and step into the stories waiting to be discovered.

Explore More on This Site

First time here? Use the sections below or browse the main menu to start exploring.

Join a Cemetery Tour

Step into history with our expert-led walking tours of Alexandria’s most storied cemeteries.

Book Now

David Heiby
Public Historian & Tour Leader

Reflections from a Recent Tour

“This morning’s tour of the Wilkes Street Cemetery with my DAR chapter was outstanding. Historians David Heiby and Madeline Feierstein of Gravestone Stories brought early U.S. and Virginia history to life with depth and insight. Truly fascinating!"
— Amy D., Daughter of the American Revolution member

"Put this tour on your MUST see and do list if coming to DC! Dave is not just incredibly knowledgeable—he’s a master storyteller who brings history to life.”

— Jessica C., Google Review

“This was a fascinating walk through history. The guide, David Heiby, was extremely knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and entertaining… The tour includes the first Veterans Memorial cemetery, which predates Arlington but is very similar in design. I never knew it existed in Old Town. It’s a tour worth taking!”
— Recent Google Review

Leave a Google Review

Invite Gravestone Stories to Speak

We offer engaging historical talks tailored to museums, genealogical societies, preservation groups, and other organizations interested in Alexandria’s rich past.

Our expert speakers bring Alexandria’s layered past to life—through compelling stories, original research, and engaging presentations tailored for your group or event.

Learn more about booking a talk.

Featured in the News

“Gravestone Stories brings forgotten voices back into view.”
— Emerging Civil War

Gravestone Stories has been recognized in both national and local outlets for its dedication to preserving Alexandria’s cemetery history:

Emerging Civil War – National feature highlighting our work in the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex
Visit Alexandria – Official tourism listing of our guided tours and historical research
The Zebra Press – Coverage of our storytelling mission and Ivy Hill’s recognition on the National Register

Looking for more coverage? Visit our Press Page → for recent features and media highlights.

Book Spotlight: Shipwreck on the Potomac: Disaster in Pursuit of Lincoln's Killer

Historian Karen Stone sheds new light on the Black Diamond tragedy of April 24, 1865—one of the Civil War’s final and most overlooked maritime disasters. The collision occurred off St. Clements Island in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, and claimed 87 lives, including four civilian Quartermaster Department employees now buried in the Alexandria National Cemetery

The book explores the wider aftermath of Lincoln’s assassination and the lives lost in pursuit of his killer.

David Heiby, public historian and creator of Gravestone Stories, and Catherine Weinraub, fellow historian and site guide, are both acknowledged for their research contributions to this important historical recovery.

This new release was recently featured in Emerging Civil War →

Buy the Book on Amazon

Featured Blog Story

The First Union Monument South of the Mason-Dixon

The gravestone of Private Charles Needham, 1st Massachusetts Cavalry, lies in Alexandria National Cemetery—a solemn reminder of a fierce cavalry clash just days before Gettysburg.

On June 17, 1863, during the Battle of Aldie, Union cavalry under Captain Charles Francis Adams—grandson of President John Quincy Adams—clashed with Fitzhugh Lee’s Confederate brigade. Needham was wounded in the fight and transported by the Orange & Alexandria Railroad to Alexandria.

He was treated at the Lee-Fendall House, then known as the Grosvenor Branch—one of more than 30 buildings in Alexandria repurposed as military hospitals during the Civil War. Over 1,700 soldiers were treated there, and more than 1,600 survived. Needham was among those who did not. He died at Grosvenor Branch and was later buried in Section A, Site 875 of Alexandria National Cemetery, alongside many others who never made it home.

In 1891, fellow soldiers dedicated the first Union regimental monument on a Southern battlefield at Aldie, with Needham’s name among the fallen.

Read the Full Story →

Latest Stories from the Blog

From Fire to War: The Green Family, Alexandria’s Great Blaze, and the Spy Who Married Emma

The Tragic Night of the Alexandria Fire of 1855

Samuel Cooper: From Respected Army Officer to Confederate General

Read More Blog Stories

Featured Gravestone

Dr. Holmes Offley Paulding

Army Surgeon — St. Paul’s Cemetery

This month’s featured gravestone (June 2025) highlights Army surgeon Dr. Holmes Offley Paulding.

Captain Holmes Offley Paulding, a U.S. Army assistant surgeon, bore witness to the aftermath of the Battle of the Little Bighorn in June 1876. His detailed diary offers a rare firsthand perspective on the tragic loss of Custer and the 7th Cavalry. A descendant of Revolutionary War hero John Paulding and grandson of Rear Admiral Hiram Paulding, Holmes forged his own path in military medicine. He died in 1883 at just 30 years old and is buried in Lot 187 of Alexandria’s St. Paul’s Cemetery.

Buried in St. Paul’s Cemetery →

Dr. Paulding’s gravestone stands as a testament to a short life of duty and a family legacy tied to some of America’s most pivotal military moments—from the capture of a British spy to the closing chapters of the Indian Wars.

Browse the Featured Gravestone Archive →

From the Alexandria Timeline

The Founding of Presbyterian Cemetery

On June 22, 1809, Alexandria’s burial ban led to the creation of a new resting place just beyond town limits—now one of the city’s oldest active cemeteries.

Entrance to the Presbyterian Cemetery & Columbarium, established in 1809.

Read the story →

Learn More About the Presbyterian Cemetery
Visit the official site for burial information, visitor access, and cemetery history:
prescemeteryalex.org →

Discover Alexandria’s Burials by Cemetery

Are you wondering who lies beneath the stones? These featured stories offer just a glimpse into the lives buried in our historic cemeteries.

Major Samuel Cooper – Boston Tea Party participant and Revolutionary War officer
Wilmer McLean – His homes witnessed both the first and last battles of the Civil War
Fields Cook – African American leader in education and civil rights
Julius Campbell – Star player of the 1971 T.C. Williams Titans, portrayed in Remember the Titans, and a powerful symbol of Alexandria’s struggle and progress in civil rights
Joseph Bruin – Slave trader involved in the 1848 Pearl escape attempt

Explore Burials by Cemetery

Recent Discoveries & Rediscovered Graves

Col. George Gilpin Rediscovered (2024)
Revolutionary War officer and Washington’s pallbearer found after more than 200 years.
Read the Full Story →
Winter Archaeology at Wilkes Street
Ground-penetrating radar revealed long-lost burials—including firefighter Charles Glasscock and the Adam, Irwin, Dundas, and Black family plots.
Explore the Discoveries →

Explore the Full Alexandria Timeline

Step through the city’s past—one decade at a time. This interactive timeline connects the lives of those buried in Alexandria to the national and global events that shaped them.

Browse the Timeline →

Discover Alexandria’s Civil War Legacy

Civil War Tour of Alexandria National Cemetery - View of Wilkes Street Complex circa 1865 — Entrance to the Alexandria National Cemetery on Wilkes Street, approximately 1865. Retrieved from the Library of Congress.

Alexandria was the first Southern city seized by Union forces—just one day after Virginians voted to secede. Its cemeteries, hospitals, and historic homes became central to the Civil War’s human story.

Explore the lives of soldiers, civilians, contrabands, and spies who shaped Alexandria’s wartime legacy.

Explore at Your Own Pace

Want to explore on your own schedule?
Download our printable brochure and enjoy a self-guided walk through Alexandria’s most historic cemeteries—featuring 35,000+ stories in one extraordinary complex.

Get the Brochure →

Gravestone Stories in the Community

No Upcoming Talks (for now!)

Our recent spring talks have wrapped up—but we’re already planning new events for later this year. Stay tuned for announcements!

Recent Appearances

May 7 – Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex Walking Tour
Nine members of the Mount Vernon Genealogical Society joined David Heiby for a guided walk through seven of the 13 historic cemeteries that make up the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex. The group explored stories spanning the Revolutionary War to the Civil Rights era—so many, in fact, that a second tour is already being discussed!

May 6 – D.A.R. Chapter Talk (Private)
A private presentation for the Richard Bland Lee Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution—an especially fitting audience given the chapter’s namesake family ties to the Lee-Fendall House.

May 2 – Lee-Fendall House Museum Wine & Art Night
David Heiby, Vice President of the Virginia Trust for Historic Preservation—which owns and operates the museum—attended this spring fundraiser celebrating women artists and local winemakers. The evening was featured in The Zebra, with photos capturing the vibrant gathering.
Read the article in The Zebra →

April 15 – Mount Vernon Genealogical Society
A full house joined us at the Hollin Hall Senior Center for a deep dive into Alexandria’s Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex—home to more than 35,000 stories of American history.

April 5 – Honoring Civil War Sacrifice
We marked the 160th anniversary of Grosvenor Branch Hospital’s closure at the Lee-Fendall House, reading the names of 10 Union soldiers buried in Alexandria.

See photos and more highlights »
Get tour updates by email »

Local Info

Alexandria Weather
Check Current Forecast »

Crime Reports: AVAware App
Stay informed with up-to-date crime reports and incident maps in Alexandria.
Download on iOS »

Explore Alexandria
Discover events, attractions, and activities in Alexandria.
Visit Alexandria »

Live Traffic Conditions
Check real-time traffic updates and road closures before you head out.
Check VA Traffic »

Community Partners

Alexandria’s rich history is preserved and interpreted by dedicated organizations that engage the community through research, education, and historic site preservation.

Alexandria Historical Society
Promoting the city’s past through lectures, publications, and the upcoming Alexandria Digital Museum.
Lee-Fendall House Museum
Interpreting over 200 years of Alexandria history through one of its most storied homes. Owned and operated by the Virginia Trust for Historic Preservation.