Where memory, beauty, and America’s most historic cemetery complex meet.
Framed by the city’s most storied Star Magnolia—part of Alexandria’s unparalleled collection of champion trees—the Presbyterian Cemetery welcomes spring in full bloom.
The Presbyterian Cemetery, was formally establish in 1809, although, there is evidence of earlier burials. Prior to that date, congregation members were interred in the churchyard burial ground which is located behind the sanctuary of the Old Presbyterian Meeting House at 321 S. Fairfax Street in Old Town. The cemetery is still active and burials occur on a regular basis, and plots and columbarium niches are available for purchase. Please email cemetery Superintendent, David Heiby, at cemetery@opmh.org for additional information on how to purchase plots. In addition, Superintendent Heiby owns and operates Gravestone Stories.
In Alexandria’s Presbyterian Cemetery lies Thomas Tretcher (1760 – October 15, 1815), a notable figure with a fascinating history. During his teenage years, Tretcher served as an Able Seaman (AB), a rank above an Ordinary Seaman, on Captain Cook’s Third Voyage, which took place from 1776 to 1780. It was during this momentous expedition that … Read more
John Thomas Newton, born on May 20, 1794, and passing away on July 28, 1858, finds his final resting place in Alexandria’s Presbyterian Cemetery. A distinguished figure in the early history of the United States Navy, Newton’s legacy is etched in his remarkable 48-year service to the nation, commencing in 1809. Notably, he held the … Read more
Former First Lieutenant William Wolf Weisband (August 28, 1908 – May 14, 1967), a member of the U.S. Signal Corps, rests in Alexandria, Virginia’s Presbyterian Cemetery. During the Cold War, he assumed a civilian role within the Armed Forces Security Agency (AFSA). He discovered that American cryptanalysts had deciphered the encrypted communications of the Soviet … Read more
William Gregory III (born on March 3, 1789, and passed away on July 13, 1875) was originally from Kilmarnock, Scotland. He became well-known as a merchant in Alexandria, Virginia, after immigrating to the United States in 1807. From 1847 to 1866, he served as the President of the Alexandria branch of the Farmer’s Merchant Bank. … Read more
The creation of the Presbyterian Cemetery was a reaction to the devastating yellow fever epidemic that hit Alexandria in 1803, resulting in the death of hundreds of its inhabitants and surpassing the capacity of the local town and church burial areas. In 1804, the town’s local council implemented a regulation preventing the sale of additional … Read more
Gazaway Bugg Lamar (October 3, 1798 – October 5, 1874) was a prominent figure in the American business landscape of the 19th century, hailing from Georgia. His legacy is etched in various entrepreneurial pursuits, spanning banking, cotton trading, shipbuilding, and steamship technology innovation. Born and initially raised in Augusta, Georgia, Lamar’s business acumen started to … Read more
Buried in Alexandria, Virginia’s Presbyterian Cemetery, is Samuel Richard Johnston (March 16, 1833 – December 24, 1899), who some blame for Lee’s defeat at Gettysburg. Born at West Grove Johnston was born at West Grove, his family’s plantation south of Alexandria, now the Belle Haven Golf Course and Country Club site. West Grove was constructed … Read more
The Lee-Fendall House Legacy Philip Richard Fendall II, born on December 18, 1794, and passing on February 16, 1868, was a significant figure in American history. He spent his formative years in the Lee-Fendall House, a historic residence built by his father, Philip Richard Fendall, in 1785. This house stands as a testament to the … Read more
On January 28, 1922, after two days of being stuck at home because of the biggest snowstorm in Washington D.C’s history, Thomas Fleming (January 25, 1851 – January 28, 1922), John Paton Fleming (April 14, 1898 – January 28, 1922), and Mary Lee Fleming (April 7, 1892 – January 28, 1922) decided to go and … Read more
The Overlooked Battle of the Potomac and its Historical Significance In the early stages of the War of 1812, American forces took decisive action in April 1813. They successfully captured York (present-day Toronto, Canada) and set it ablaze in a controversial move. This aggressive act was not without consequences. Following Napoleon’s defeat in Europe, the … Read more
In the early 1920s, many countries wanted to be the first to fly Around-the-World- air flight successfully. The British tried in 1922 but failed, and then a French team tried in 1923. That same year, the Italians and the Portuguese said they would also try. The British also decided to give it another shot. The … Read more
Step into history with our expert-led walking tours of Alexandria’s most storied cemeteries.
David Heiby
Public Historian & Tour Leader
“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
We offer engaging historical talks tailored to museums, genealogical societies, preservation groups, and other organizations interested in Alexandria’s rich past.
Our June 2024 tour was featured on the front page of the Alexandria Times in honor of the Alexandria Archaeology Commission’s 50th anniversary.
The final resting places of four civilian victims of the Black Diamond disaster are located at Alexandria National Cemetery, part of the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex.
In the chaotic days following Lincoln’s assassination, tragedy struck the Potomac River. On the night of April 23, 1865, the coal barge Black Diamond—tasked with helping block John Wilkes Booth’s escape—was accidentally rammed by the steamer Massachusetts. Eighty-seven lives were lost, including freed Union prisoners and civilian Quartermaster Department employees from Alexandria, whose final journey ended in sacrifice.
Joseph McCoy: Lynching Victim — No Known Grave
On April 23, 1897, 18-year-old Joseph McCoy was lynched by a white mob in Alexandria after being forcibly removed from police custody. Beaten, shot, and hanged at Cameron and Lee Streets, McCoy was buried in an unmarked pauper’s grave in Penny Hill Cemetery. His story endures as a solemn reminder of racial terror and injustice. Say his name.
No gravestone. Buried in Penny Hill Cemetery, Alexandria, VA. →
Explore Alexandria’s Notable Burials
Curious who’s buried in Alexandria? Here are just a few:
Read the Full Story → Explore the Discoveries →
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.
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.
May 6 – D.A.R. Chapter Talk (Private)
A private presentation on the Lee-Fendall House for a local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. More public events coming soon!
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.
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.
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.
