Drafted by George Mason and influenced by James Madison, the Virginia Declaration of Rights marked a significant shift towards religious freedom. This document laid the groundwork for the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom in 1786, which established the separation of church and state, a principle later enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.
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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.
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 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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.
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.
Featured Blog Story
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.
Terror on the Potomac: The Sad Story of the Black Diamond
In the chaotic days following Lincoln’s assassination, tragedy struck the Potomac River. In the early morning hours of April 24, 1865, the coal-carrying barge Black Diamond—positioned as part of a naval blockade to prevent John Wilkes Booth’s escape—was accidentally rammed by the steamer Massachusetts just before 1:00 a.m. Eighty-seven lives were lost, including paroled Union prisoners of war and four civilian employees of the U.S. Quartermaster Department from Alexandria, whose service and sacrifice are now largely forgotten.
Featured Gravestone
Martin Swick
Civil War Soldier — Alexandria National Cemetery
A Private in the 126th Ohio Infantry, Martin Swick was mortally wounded at the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse in May 1864. Evacuated to Alexandria, he died at the Grosvenor Branch Hospital—now the Lee-Fendall House Museum, where his name appears in the original hospital register. Swick is buried in Grave A 816-60 at Alexandria National Cemetery. His wartime Bible, preserved by a descendant, is currently featured in a special exhibit at the Lee-Fendall House.
Buried in The Alexandria National Cemetery →
From the Alexandria Timeline
Alexandria’s First Memorial Day
In 1869, hundreds gathered at Alexandria National Cemetery to honor the fallen. The tradition endures—one gravestone at a time.
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
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.
Discover Alexandria’s Civil War Legacy
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.
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.
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.
