Tour Information & FAQ

Are tours suitable for children?

Yes, children are welcome on all tours. The historical content tends to be most engaging for ages 10 and up. Strollers are not recommended due to uneven cemetery terrain and narrow paths.

What if it rains?

Light rain won’t stop us — only severe weather conditions result in rescheduling. If we need to reschedule, we’ll contact you promptly with alternative arrangements. (Weather decisions for programs at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House and the Lee-Fendall House Museum are made by those institutions.)

How far in advance should I book?

For our cemetery walking tours, public bookings generally require 24-hour advance notice, though same-day bookings may be possible with at least two hours’ notice if space permits. Same-day bookings are handled through our TripAdvisor ticketing platform. Private tours require several weeks’ advance notice.

What do private tours cost, and how do I book one?

Private tours are $30 per person — the same as a public ticket — with a $300 minimum per tour, which covers groups of up to 10. Above that it’s simply $30 for each additional guest: a group of 15 is $450, a group of 25 is $750. Submit a private tour request, and once we’ve settled on a date we’ll send a PayPal invoice for the $300 minimum; paying it holds your date. You don’t need a final headcount to book — confirm your count at least 48 hours before the tour, and any guests beyond 10 are invoiced at $30 each then. Invoices can be paid by card, no account needed; checks payable to Gravestone Stories are also welcome. Every guest on a private Wilkes Street tour also receives the official Walking Companion e-book, free. For tours at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House and the Lee-Fendall House Museum, ticket prices are set by the institution and every dollar goes to support those historic sites — we donate the guiding. Meeting planners: our Private Group Tours page gathers the full program in one place.

How do I book the Meeting House tour?

“Rebellious Scoundrels” — our walking tour of the Old Presbyterian Meeting House sanctuary and churchyard — is offered exclusively through Gravestone Stories for private groups. Start with the tour page, where you can download the free self-guided brochure or submit a private group inquiry.

How do I book the Lee-Fendall House Lantern Tours?

The lantern tours are Lee-Fendall House Museum events — the museum handles all tickets, dates, and scheduling through its events calendar on Eventbrite. Lantern tours meet at the museum, 614 Oronoco Street (see Meeting Locations above). For more on David’s living history appearances at the Lee-Fendall House, visit our Programs page.

Do you offer group discounts?

Private groups pay our regular rate of $30 per person (see the private tour question above), so there is no separate group discount — the private date, the historian-led walk, and the companion e-book are all included at that rate. Schools and other educational groups may qualify for a complimentary tour with advance arrangement. Tours at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House and the Lee-Fendall House Museum are ticketed by the institution, with every dollar supporting those historic sites. Questions about your group? Contact us and we’ll be glad to help.

Is anything included with the Wilkes Street tour?

Yes — guests on the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex Tour receive a free copy of The Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex: A Walking Companion, the official companion e-book to the tour. It’s a $15 illustrated edition covering twenty-two stops across six historic burial grounds, with the complete two-panel walking map. Your guide will show you how to claim your copy at the end of the tour. You can browse this and all our titles in the E-Book Library.

What makes your tours different from other Alexandria tours?

Our Alexandria walking tours are led by a working historian who made the discoveries personally through more than a decade of primary source research. You’ll hear stories unavailable anywhere else — including recently rediscovered graves like George Washington’s lost pallbearer. Every tour is led exclusively by David Heiby, cemetery superintendent and original site researcher.

Are the tours physically demanding?

Our Alexandria walking tours through the cemetery complex cover 1–1.5 miles on mostly flat terrain with some gentle hills. The ground can be uneven in places, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended, and we can adjust the pace for different fitness levels. The Meeting House tour is gentler still — it moves through the sanctuary and churchyard at a single site. The Lee-Fendall House Lantern Tours move through a 1785 house museum — the historic building has stairs and limited accessibility.

Can I bring my dog?

Pets are not permitted, out of respect for these historic grounds, buildings, and other guests. Service animals are always welcome.

Are restrooms available?

It depends on where your tour meets. Restrooms are not available within the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex grounds — for tours meeting there, we recommend planning accordingly before your tour begins. Restrooms are available at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House and at the Lee-Fendall House Museum for tours and programs meeting at those locations.