Gravestone Stories press coverage includes national, regional, and local recognition for its original research, historian-led cemetery tours, and work documenting Alexandria’s historic burial grounds. The archive also includes selected media mentions of founder David Heiby’s related work in public history and historic preservation.
This page serves as a growing archive of press mentions reflecting how the Gravestone Stories mission resonates with audiences interested in public history, preservation, genealogy, tourism, and community memory.
In Print: The Gazette Packet Column
A twice-monthly history column in the Alexandria Gazette Packet, telling the stories of those buried in Alexandria’s historic cemeteries.
August 6, 2026 — “The Tea Party Patriot Buried in Alexandria” — Major Samuel Cooper, Boston Tea Party participant at rest on Wilkes Street. Read the column (page 10).
Visit Alexandria Highlights Gravestone Stories as a Member Success Story
Visit Alexandria, “News You Can Use” Member Newsletter — August 3, 2026
Visit Alexandria highlighted Gravestone Stories in its weekly member newsletter as an example of the success of its “Unlock Your Story” campaign.
After featuring Gravestone Stories as one of the campaign’s first member profiles, Visit Alexandria’s Marketing and Communications team pitched the story to a national writer at AARP, resulting in additional national media coverage.
Visit Alexandria wrote:
“One of our first member stories, Gravestone Stories, was featured on the Unlock Your Story page. Our Marketing and Communications team was able to pitch the story to a national writer at AARP, resulting in additional media coverage.”
Read the Visit Alexandria newsletter →
“Jenny Waters Named Museum Director at Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden”
The Zebra — August 3, 2026
David Heiby, founder of Gravestone Stories and Treasurer of the Virginia Trust for Historic Preservation, was quoted in The Zebra’s announcement naming Jenny Waters as Museum Director of the Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden.
Heiby praised Waters’s leadership during a challenging transition, highlighting the museum’s membership growth, success in securing new funding, and development of a stronger staff and volunteer team.
“Recent Events at the Cemetery”
Ivy Hill Cemetery Preservation Society — Spring 2026 Newsletter, shared May 31, 2026
Featured in the Society’s Spring 2026 newsletter as the opening lecture of Ivy Hill’s 2026 season, presenting on the lost burial and final resting place of Philip Richard Fendall and offering insight into the history, mystery, and legacy of one of Alexandria’s notable early residents.
“The 10 Best States for Older Workers”
AARP — May 7, 2026
AARP featured Gravestone Stories founder David Heiby in a national article ranking the ten best states for older workers, with Virginia earning the #10 spot. Heiby was selected to represent Virginia in a story about building a second chapter rooted in purpose, place, and community.
The feature highlights how Gravestone Stories grew from a passion project into Alexandria’s only historian-led cemetery tour experience — grounded in Heiby’s lifelong connection to Alexandria, the Presbyterian Cemetery, and the historic burial grounds where much of the city’s story is preserved.
“Carrying Forward the Legacy of George Washington”
DAR National Blog — February 20, 2026
David Heiby’s photography was selected as the header image for DAR President General Ginnie Sebastian Storage’s official blog post honoring George Washington’s birthday and the 2026 Alexandria celebrations. Heiby was present at the wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary Soldier at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House, assisting with the event and leading tours of the historic burial ground for DAR attendees following the ceremony.
Alexandria Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Ceremony
The Zebra Press — February 16, 2026
Coverage of the wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier in Alexandria as part of America250 commemorations. The article features remarks by Gravestone Stories founder David Heiby, who said, “This isn’t just a ceremony—it’s a real connection to 1776. It connects our faith, our history, and the enduring promise of our country.”
“Gravestone Stories” — Visit Alexandria
Visit Alexandria — February 2026
Gravestone Stories was featured as part of Visit Alexandria’s “Unlock Your Story” campaign, highlighting historian-led cemetery tours, original archival research, and preservation work uncovering Alexandria’s buried history. The feature positions Alexandria’s historic cemeteries as living “outdoor archives” and introduces Gravestone Stories as a distinctive cultural experience within the city.
Ivy Hill Historical Preservation Society Celebrates Listing on the National Register of Historic Places
The Zebra Press — June 2, 2025
The Zebra highlights Ivy Hill Cemetery’s official listing on the National Register of Historic Places and the community celebration that followed. The article features Ivy Hill’s preservation leadership, notable historic figures buried on the grounds, and a photo mention of David and Christine Heiby of Gravestone Stories.
“13 Cemeteries, 35,000 Stories: The Untold History of Alexandria’s Wilkes Street Complex”
Emerging Civil War — May 8, 2025
Emerging Civil War published an in-depth profile on Alexandria’s Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex and the ongoing preservation, documentation, and public history work led by Gravestone Stories.
“Celebrating Women in Wine and Art at the Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden”
The Zebra Press — May 2, 2025
Coverage of the Lee-Fendall House’s spring Wine & Art Night, hosted by the Virginia Trust for Historic Preservation, which owns and operates the museum. David Heiby—Vice President of the Trust and founder of Gravestone Stories—and his wife, Christine, were among the featured guests. The photo-filled article highlights Alexandria’s vibrant preservation and arts community.
“Walking Through History: Celebrating 50 Years of Alexandria Archaeology”
Alexandria Times — April 3, 2025
Our June 2024 public tour was featured on the front page of the Alexandria Times. The article was published on April 3, 2025, in celebration of the Alexandria Archaeology Commission’s 50th anniversary.
Additional Recognition
Gravestone Stories research has also been cited by the Dictionary of Virginia Biography, further reflecting the site’s role as a growing public-history and research resource for Alexandria’s historic cemeteries.
Media Inquiries
If you are a journalist, researcher, editor, podcaster, or content creator interested in covering Gravestone Stories, Alexandria’s historic cemeteries, or the ongoing work to document more than 35,000 lives preserved in the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex, please contact us.
