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.
A Scottish Upbringing Sets the Stage Born in 1731 in Kilbride, Scotland, Robert Adam was the eldest son of Rev. John Adam and Janet Campbell Adam. His father, a Doctor of Divinity, likely instilled in Robert a spirit of scholarship and civic duty that would guide his future actions. This solid Scottish upbringing planted the … Read more
Preserving Legacy Amidst Abandonment: The Tale of Douglass Memorial Cemetery Established in 1895, Douglass Memorial Cemetery stands as a testament to the history and struggles of African Americans in the United States. Named in honor of the renowned abolitionist Frederick Douglass, this cemetery holds stories that echo through time. However, the cemetery’s abandonment and its … 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.
Wilmer McLean’s now-famous quote captures his remarkable role in the American Civil War. The first major battle erupted on his farm near Bull Run, and four years later, his parlor in Appomattox hosted the surrender of General Robert E. Lee to Ulysses S. Grant—marking the war’s end on April 9, 1865. McLean’s final chapter unfolded in Alexandria, where he is buried in St. Paul’s Cemetery within the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex.
Alva Lee Harvey: The Aviator Who Helped Launch the First Flight Around the World
On April 6, 1924, Staff Sergeant Alva Harvey departed Seattle to circumnavigate the globe by air. Though his plane crashed in Alaska, Harvey’s legacy in aviation soared through WWII and beyond.
Buried in The Presbyterian Cemetery, Alexandria, VA.
Read Alva’s Full Story →
Browse the Featured Gravestone Archive →
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.
