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Congressional Cemetery
From their website: “Founded in 1807, Congressional Cemetery soon became the site of what can be considered America’s first national cemetery. Like many cemeteries in the nineteenth Century, Congressional Cemetery served as a park for city dwellers.
Beginning in 1816, plots were set aside for the burial of congressmen. Although it was never officially designated as a ‘national cemetery’ as early as the 1820s the site was popularly held as the ‘national burying ground’. Over 60,000 people are now residents of Congressional Cemetery, including such notables as John Philip Sousa, J Edgar Hoover, Mathew Brady, Vice President Elbridge Gerry – a signer of the Declaration of Independence – and 37 Native Americans including tribal chiefs.
Congressional Cemetery provides one of the few landscapes in the Nation’s Capitol that, by a kindness of fate, corresponds to those described by Victorian travelers. You will find, as a Philadelphian found in 1884, that the cemetery is: “singularly attractive … A truly lovely spot for that long, long sleep which awaits each mortal, and also a beautiful calm retreat … away from the noise, bustle and weariness of the city” (Mrs. Jane Gemmill, Notes on Washington).
An historic place … an evocative place … a place to trace the growth of the nation’s Federal and local institutions in the lives and actions of individual men and women.”
After years of neglect, the past decade has seen a vigorous and most positive turnaround in its preservation and interpretation. This optimistic trend befits a site whose history is a nationally significant touchstone to that of the early republic. Check out their website for links to fascinating history, a short video of the bicentennial festival, and tour of the grounds.
What do volunteers do?
You are asked to be there at 9:00 am, when you will receive an orientation about the Cemetery and the site you will be working to restore. The work period finishes at noon.
After completing the work and taking a lunch break you will be taken on an interesting guided tour. Please remember to bring a sack lunch – staff will provide beverages.
Contact: Cindy Hayes at 202-543-0539 to schedule a volunteer opportunity!
Historic Congressional Cemetery
1801 E Street SE
Washington DC 20003
