Beneath Your Feet Lies a Story-Rich Landscape Unlike Anywhere Else in the United States—Waiting to Be Explored on a Guided Walking Tour
Step into a place where memory, beauty, and history converge. Just west of Old Town Alexandria, at 1475–1501 Wilkes Street, the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex invites you to uncover more than 35,000 stories of revolution, civil war, tragedy, and triumph.
Located just a mile from the Potomac River—and easily accessible from the King Street Metro and the free King Street Trolley—this sacred ground offers a direct link to the layered past of the United States.
Public Historian. Cemetery Steward. Proud History Nerd.
I’m David Heiby, and I started Gravestone Stories to share the powerful, personal, and often forgotten history buried across Alexandria. From leading walking tours to researching lost graves, I’ve spent years uncovering the stories hidden in our city’s oldest cemeteries.
With the help of my fellow historians and guides, we invite you to join us—on foot or online—to rediscover Alexandria’s past, one grave at a time.
Alexandria’s cemetery landscape tells a sweeping American story—one that unfolds just beyond the bustle of Old Town, in a place unlike anywhere else in the United States.
Tucked away at the end of Wilkes Street, this remarkable complex of cemeteries reveals the lives of revolutionaries and enslaved individuals, wartime heroes and everyday Alexandrians. It’s a place where memory endures in marble, iron, and earth—and where history is never truly buried.
The first cemetery was established in 1796, with others added throughout the 19th century and as late as 1933. Today, the complex spans 13 distinct cemeteries—the final resting place of patriots, soldiers, enslaved individuals, spies, and forgotten Alexandrians.
It’s a bold claim—but once you walk these paths and hear these stories, we think you’ll agree: there’s nowhere else like it.
Explore More: View Upcoming Tours | Read Stories & Discoveries | Browse Notable Burials
Ready to Book Your Tour?
Our expert-led walking tours are back this spring—join us to uncover Alexandria’s hidden history and walk among the stories that shaped a nation.
The Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex isn’t just historic — it’s unparalleled.
Nowhere else in the United States brings together such a concentration of historic cemeteries, each holding extraordinary lives that shaped the nation’s story.
Together, these 13 distinct cemeteries contain over 35,000 burials, with each individual contributing to the larger American journey—from the birth of the republic to the complexities of the modern era.
Among them:
- A 16-year-old Boston Tea Party rebel who fought at Lexington and Concord
- George Washington’s pallbearers—including the first man to call him “Mr. President”
- The man whose home witnessed the start of the Civil War in his front yard and its surrender in his parlor
- A U.S. Senator who wrote the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act and later became a Confederate diplomat
- African American soldiers of the U.S. Colored Troops who led a powerful 1864 protest, sparking the first burials of Black soldiers in a U.S. military cemetery
- A Cold War Soviet spy whose betrayal crippled U.S. intelligence
- A Confederate-aligned banker turned prisoner, whose son inspired the final slave voyage of the Clotilda
- The Everleigh Sisters—Chicago’s most infamous madams—now resting quietly in Alexandria
- And the Female Stranger—a veiled young woman who died in 1816, her identity forever unknown. Buried by her “disconsolate husband,” her monument bears a haunting epitaph: “A heap of dust alone remains of thee—’tis all thou art and all the proud shall be.” Hers is the most visited grave in Alexandria, a mystery that has captivated generations.
See why the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex tells America’s full story ›
All of this—buried together in one extraordinary cemetery complex.
Only in Alexandria. Only at Wilkes Street.
Planning a Visit?
Want to know how long the tours last, where to meet, or what to wear?
We’ve got you covered with tips, directions, and answers to common questions.
Where do tours begin?
Most tours begin at the Wilkes Street and Hamilton Avenue intersection. Click here for directions and parking info.What should I wear?
Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. Paths can be grassy or uneven.How long are the tours?
Most tours run 60–75 minutes. We recommend budgeting around 90 minutes total for your visit.
Ready to Explore Alexandria’s Hidden History?
Join one of our expert-guided walking tours this spring—history has never felt so alive.
Whether you’re here to take a tour or dive into research—we’ve got you covered.
Whether You’re Here to Take a Tour or Dive into Research—We’ve Got You Covered
Two Ways to Discover Alexandria’s Past
For History Enthusiasts & Researchers
Dive into over 200 mini-biographies and 80+ blog stories—rediscovered graves, forgotten heroes, and the hidden history of Alexandria.
For Visitors & Tour Attendees
Plan your visit, check available tour dates, or request a private tour of the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex.
Meet Us On-Site
Most Saturdays between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM, a guide is often available at the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex—even when tours aren’t scheduled.
Have questions about Alexandria’s cemetery history?
Need help with genealogy or burial research?
You might even catch a quick “spot tour.”
Just say hello—if you see us, we’re happy to talk!
Spring & Summer Tours
We’re excited to announce a new lineup of Gravestone Stories walking tours scheduled throughout the summer. Each tour offers fresh stories and featured figures—perfect for returning guests and first-time visitors alike. Full details and ticket links will be added soon.
- Sunday, May 4 at 10:00 AM
- Upcoming Saturdays:
- May 31
- June 7
- June 21
- June 28
- July 12
- July 19
- July 26
- August 2
- August 16
- August 23
We add new tours regularly—check back for the latest schedule. Private group tours can also be arranged by request, please inquire here.
Be the first to hear when new dates are added! Sign Up for Updates
Where Do Tours Begin?
Tours typically start at the Wilkes Street and Hamilton Avenue intersection in the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex near the Methodist Protestant Cemetery.
For GPS or rideshare directions:
1475–1501 Wilkes Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Parking: Available along Wilkes & Hamilton Streets
Metro Access: ~1 mile from King Street Metro or the free King Street Trolley
View on Google Maps (See clickable link below)
Book Your Tour | View FAQ | Contact Us
Tour Reviews & Testimonials
“Fascinating tour! David brought Alexandria’s cemeteries to life with incredible storytelling, weaving together history, personal stories, and rediscovered graves.” – John D.
“A must-do for history lovers! Madeline’s knowledge of Civil War burials, Alexandria’s wartime hospitals, and the lives of soldiers who died here was outstanding.” – Sarah K.
“Catherine’s tour was an incredible experience! I never realized how much history was hidden in these cemeteries, especially the stories of Alexandria’s firefighters and their sacrifices.” – Michael P.
Interested in a guided tour? View Tour Schedule
Spring Tours Now Booking!
Our expert-led cemetery tours are back for the season! Step into Alexandria’s hidden history with stories you won’t find in textbooks.
Our Expert Alexandria Tour Guides
Our tours are led by historians with deep expertise in Alexandria’s burial grounds, Civil War history, and firefighting heritage.
David Heiby
Public Historian & Superintendent of The Presbyterian Cemetery
- Historian for the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex
- Superintendent of The Presbyterian Cemetery
- VP, Virginia Trust for Historic Preservation
- Treasurer, Alexandria Historical Society
- Battlefield tour leader (Antietam, South Mountain, Harpers Ferry)
- Licensed D.C. Tour Guide
David led the rediscovery of Col. George Gilpin’s grave (2024) and Philip Richard Fendall Sr.’s family plot (2023). His work continues to shape how Alexandria remembers its past.
Madeline Feierstein
Civil War Hospitals & Medical History Specialist
- Researcher on Civil War hospitals & prisons
- Guide at Lee-Fendall House
- Intern, Clara Barton Missing Soldiers Office
- AHS Grant Recipient (2024)
Madeline’s research focuses on Union soldiers treated and buried in Alexandria. Her upcoming book explores the city’s wartime medical care and its enduring legacy.
Catherine Weinraub
Firefighting History & Ivy Hill Historian
- Specialist in Alexandria’s fire history
- Ivy Hill Cemetery Historian
- Trustee, Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association
- Author: Friendship Fire Company 250th Anniversary
Catherine’s work highlights the sacrifices of Alexandria’s volunteer firefighters, including the rediscovery of Charles Glasscock’s unmarked grave in 2024.
Each of our guides brings a unique historical perspective, helping visitors connect deeply with Alexandria’s past.
More Than Just One Site—More Stories to Discover
While the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex is at the heart of our work, our tours extend beyond its gates to other sacred and historic grounds across Alexandria.
Tour the Presbyterian Meeting House 18th-Century Burial Ground
Led by public historian David Heiby, this engaging tour of the 18th-century burial ground at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House brings to life the stories of Revolutionary War heroes, early Alexandrians, and national figures who helped shape America’s beginnings. Visitors will see the tomb of Dr. James Craik, George Washington’s trusted friend and personal physician; the solemn grave of the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution; and learn about Lewis Nicola, buried here in an unmarked grave, whose infamous Newburgh Letter urged Washington to consider becoming king—a proposal the general firmly rejected. This peaceful cemetery offers a powerful connection to the people and ideas that defined a new nation.
Join cemetery historian Catherine Weinraub for a guided walk through Ivy Hill Cemetery, the final resting place of firefighters, civic leaders, trailblazing women, and unsung heroes who left a lasting mark on Alexandria’s 19th- and 20th-century history.
Talks & Presentations: Bringing Alexandria’s History to Life
Recent Highlights:
- National Museum of Civil War Medicine – St. Elizabeths Asylum: Civil War Care at the Hospital for the Insane, presented by Madeline Feierstein. Watch the recording on YouTube »
- The Alexandria Historical Society – Alexandria’s Civil War History, presented by Madeline Feierstein
- SAR & DAR Chapters – The Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex, presented by David Heiby
- The Lee-Fendall House Museum – Alexandria’s Friendship Fire Company, presented by Catherine Weinraub
- The John Marshall Library – Alexandria National Cemetery’s History, presented by David Heiby
Interested in hosting a historical talk for your organization?
Connect With Alexandria Cemetery Tours
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Page last updated: April 23, 2025
