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City of Alexandria, VA

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  • Live

    Make the most of Alexandria's outstanding quality of life with information and services of interest to residents.

    • Be Prepared

      Are you ready? Find resources and information to help residents, businesses and visitors to prepare for all types of emergencies, and to stay safe.

      • Flooding Preparedness
      • Snow and Ice Control
      • Hurricane Preparedness
      • Emergency Preparedness
      • Public Health Emergency
    • Community Life

      Learn more about pets and animals, schools and libraries, parks and farmers' markets, community gardens, and more.

      • Community Gardens
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    • Get Involved

      There are many opportunities to get involved to help better the City of Alexandria. Opportunities include serving on a Board, Commission or Committee, providing input on a new City project or speaking at a City Council meeting.

      • Boards and Commissions
      • Civic Engagement Policy
      • City Academies
      • Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
      • Speak at a Meeting
      • Volunteering
    • Getting Around

      Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

      • Bicycling in Alexandria
      • Bus and Rail
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      • Parking in Alexandria
      • Street Maps
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      • Water Taxis
    • Historic Preservation

      Historic Alexandria is a treasure trove of early structures, artifacts, and records that creates a unique way of life for its citizens and provides enjoyment for thousands of people who visit this special community every year. The City continues to add resources to its collection of local and nationally designated historic districts.

      • Alexandria History
      • Board of Architectural Review
      • Historic Alexandria
      • Historic Districts
    • Licenses & Permits

      Find out whether a permit is required, the type of permit needed, fees involved, and what requirements are necessary for the activity you want to engage in Alexandria.

      • Building & Construction
      • Business Licenses
      • Health Permits
      • Marriage Licenses
      • Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
    • Parking

      Information about parking in the City of Alexandria, including parking options, enforcement, districts and permits.

      • Contest a Parking Ticket
      • Guest Parking Permits
      • Parking Permits
      • Parking Studies
      • Parking in Old Town
      • Pay a Parking Ticket
    • Public Health & Wellness

      Alexandria is committed to ensuring our residents thrive through physical, mental, and social health.

      • Aging & Adult Services
      • Domestic Violence
      • Environmental Health
      • Environmental Quality
      • Health Department
      • Health Clinics
      • Sexual Assault
      • Substance Abuse Prevention
      • Substance Abuse Services
      • Teen Pregnancy Prevention
      • Teen Wellness Center
    • Public Safety & Courts

      Agencies and programs that help maintain our safety and overall quality of life. These links contain information about the City of Alexandria's law enforcement agencies and public safety organizations, courts and judicial system.

      • Fire Department
      • Police Department
      • Sheriff's Office
      • Circuit Court
      • Clerk of Circuit Court
      • General District Court
      • J&DR Court
      • Court Service Unit
    • Public Works

      Learn more about how the City maintains streets, sidewalks, bridges, and other infrastructure in the City.

      • Bridge Maintenance
      • Paving and Potholes
      • Sewer Maintenance
      • Street Sweeping
    • Real Estate & Taxes

      The City collects car and real estate taxes, maintains tax relief programs and assesses property values. Taxes can be paid in a variety of ways including online, by phone and by mail.

      • Payments
      • Personal Property/Car Tax
      • Real Estate Assessments
      • Real Estate Tax
      • Tax Guide
      • Tax Relief
    • Schools & Libraries

      Did you know that ACPS is one of the most diverse school systems in the country? Our students come from more than 80 different countries, speak more than 60 languages, and represent a myriad of ethnic and cultural groups. The Alexandria Library is an educational, user-oriented service institution providing free public access to recorded knowledge and ideas.

      • Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS)
      • Alexandria Library
      • Child Care
      • Higher Learning
      • Out of School Time Programs
    • Social Services

      The City provides public assistance as a safety net for individuals and families, including help with homelessness prevention, food, rent, utilities, medical coverage and prescriptions, job training and placement assistance, and much more.

      • Aging & Adult Services
      • Child Care Assistance
      • Homeless Services
      • Housing Resources
      • Mentoring Programs
      • Military & Veteran Services
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      Find information on the City's refuse, recycling and yard waste collection programs.

      • Recycling
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    • Utilities

      The City of Alexandria does not operate any public utilities. The following companies are the primary providers of their respective service:

      • Cable TV (Comcast / Xfinity)
      • Drinking Water (Virginia American Water)
      • Electricity (Dominion Energy)
      • Natural Gas (Washington Gas)
      • Sewage/Water Treatment (Alex Renew)
      • Wired Telephone (Verizon)
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  • Play

    Whether you live here or are just visiting, Alexandria is a great place to shop, dine, take in the arts, get outdoors, and just have fun.

    • About Alexandria

      If you are looking for small-town charm and big-city amenities, Alexandria is the place to find them. Alexandria has a fascinating history, and many of its historic buildings are still preserved today. The City's many historic homes, churches, businesses, and museums allow residents and visitors alike to experience the past that makes it the charming town it is today.

      • Alexandria's History
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      • Visit Alexandria
    • Arts & Culture

      Through engaging the community, encouraging participation, and facilitating access to arts and culture, the City builds a vibrant community for its residents, workers, and visitors.

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      Find events and activities, shops and restaurants, concerts and performances, arts and culture, historic attractions, parks and libraries, farmers' markets, and more.

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    • Getting Around

      Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

      • Bicycling in Alexandria
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    • Museums & Historic Sites

      Alexandria is a desirable location to live, work and play. The City owns many of the premier historic sites in Alexandria and it is charged with the conservation, interpretation and promotion of these links to the past.

      • City Museums
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      • Office of Historic Alexandria
    • Parks & Recreation

      Alexandria is an active community that offers more than 900 acres of parks and dedicated public space, and a wide variety of neighborhood and recreation centers, pools, dog parks, farmers' markets, waterfront activities and more.

      • Classes & Camps
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    • Visit Alexandria

      Information about visiting Alexandria, including shopping, dining, attractions, accommodations, events listings and more. Plan your visit with an itinerary builder, interactive maps, hotel booking, online restaurant reservations and much more.

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  • Services

    We are here to serve you. Browse the topics to the right to learn more about the programs and services we offer.

    • Alex311

      Connect with professional and knowledgeable staff for City service and information requests from every City department.

      • Missed Collection
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      What you need to know about animals, pets and wildlife in Alexandria.

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    • Buildings & Construction

      The City provides services to residents, businesses, contractors, and visitors needing permits for constructions and other developments.

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    • Jobs
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    • Maps & GIS

      Geographic Information Systems (GIS) centrally manages, shares and analyzes information about locations through specialized mapping technology. This information increases transparency, improves many City technology applications and provides critical data to decision makers and the public.

      • Interactive Maps
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    • Parks & Recreation

      Alexandria is an active community that offers more than 900 acres of parks and dedicated public space, and a wide variety of neighborhood and recreation centers, pools, dog parks, farmers' markets, waterfront activities and more.

      • Classes & Camps
      • Dog Parks
      • Facility & Park Rentals
      • Farmers' Markets
      • Marina & Waterfront
      • Parks & Trails
      • Pools & Aquatics
      • Recreation Centers
      • Sports Leagues & Programs
    • Property & Housing

      The City administers various housing-related programs and services.

      • Housing Master Plan
      • Landlord & Property Manager Resources
      • Maps & GIS
      • Office of Housing
      • Parcel Viewer
      • Real Estate Assessments
    • Public Health & Wellness

      Alexandria is committed to ensuring our residents thrive through physical, mental, and social health.

      • Aging & Adult Services
      • Emergency Mental Health Services
      • Environmental Health
      • Environmental Quality
      • Health Department
      • Health Clinics
      • Sexual and Domestic Violence Services
      • Substance Abuse Services
      • Teen Pregnancy Prevention
      • Teen Wellness Center
    • Public Safety & Courts

      Agencies and programs that help maintain our safety and overall quality of life. These links contain information about the City of Alexandria's law enforcement agencies and public safety organizations, courts and judicial system.

      • Fire Department
      • Police Department
      • Sheriff's Office
      • Circuit Court
      • Clerk of Circuit Court
      • General District Court
      • J&DR Court
      • Court Service Unit
    • Public Works

      Learn more about how the City maintains streets, sidewalks, bridges, and other infrastructure in the City.

      • Bridge Maintenance
      • Paving & Potholes
      • Sewer Maintenance
      • Street Sweeping
    • Real Estate & Taxes

      The City collects car and real estate taxes, maintains tax relief programs and assesses property values. Taxes can be paid in a variety of ways including online, by phone and by mail.

      • Payments
      • Personal Property/Car Tax
      • Real Estate Assessments
      • Real Estate Tax
      • Tax Guide
      • Tax Relief
    • Social Services

      The City provides public assistance as a safety net for individuals and families, including help with homelessness prevention, food, rent, utilities, medical coverage and prescriptions, job training and placement assistance, and much more.

      • Aging & Adult Services
      • Child Care
      • Children & Families
      • Discrimination & Disabilities
      • Gang & Youth Violence Prevention
      • Homeless Services
      • Housing Assistance
      • Human Rights
      • Job Search Assistance (Workforce Development Center)
      • Mentoring Programs
      • Military & Veteran Services
    • Trash & Recycling

      Find information on the City's refuse, recycling and yard waste collection programs.

      • Recycling
      • Refuse Collection
      • Yard Waste
    • Transportation

      Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

      • Bicycling in Alexandria
      • Bus & Rail
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      • Parking in Alexandria
      • Street Maps
      • Taxis
      • Transportation Planning
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  • Business

    Ideally located just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., Alexandria is nationally recognized as one of the best places to live and do business on the east coast. Learn how we can help you start or relocate your business in Alexandria, and access resources for existing businesses and commuters.

    • Business Resources

      The City provides services and resources to help existing businesses expand within the City and promotes recruiting new businesses in Alexandria.

      • Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP)
      • Alexandria Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
      • BIPOC Small Business Program
      • Doing Business with the City
      • New Business Guide
      • Public-Private Partnerships
    • Jobs

      Alexandria offers wide range of job opportunities and services. Work for City government or City Public Schools, find out about an internship opportunity or learn about workforce development and career training options.

      • City Government Jobs
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      • Collective Bargaining
    • Licenses & Permits

      Find out whether a permit is required, the type of permit needed, fees involved, and what requirements are necessary for the activity you want to engage in Alexandria.

      • APEX Permitting & Land Use System
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    • Real Estate & Taxes

      The City collects car and real estate taxes, maintains tax relief programs and assesses property values. Taxes can be paid in a variety of ways including online, by phone and by mail.

      • Business License Tax
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      • Payments
      • Real Estate Assessment Search
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    • Transportation

      Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

      • Getting Around
      • Vehicle Registration
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  • Government

    Learn more about Alexandria's accountable, effective, and well-managed government.

    • City Council

      The Alexandria City Council is composed of a Mayor and six Council members who are elected at-large for three-year terms. The Mayor, who is chosen on a separate ballot, presides over meetings of the Council and serves as the ceremonial head of government.

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      The City of Alexandria has a strong commitment to citizen participation as evidenced by the number of citizen boards and commissions established by City Council. These bodies compose a formal system through which citizens can advise City Council on all major issues affecting the City.

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    • Departments & Agencies

      View a list of City departments, offices and other agencies, and learn about their role in the organization.

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      Information about the City of Alexandria's law enforcement agencies and public safety organizations, courts and judicial system.

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      Alexandria voters elect a Mayor and City Council and three local officers, as well as state and federal representatives.

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      There are many opportunities to get involved to help better the City of Alexandria. Opportunities include serving on a Board, Commission or Committee, providing input on a new City project or speaking at a City Council meeting.

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      The City government acts with integrity in an open process, and provides timely access to clear, trustworthy information, presented and employed by all parties from the beginning to the end of the process, including the reasoning that leads to and supports the policy conclusion.

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  • Projects & Plans

    Much of our work involves creating and improving infrastructure and planning for the future. Learn more about major projects and plans here, and how you can get involved!

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Douglass Memorial Cemetery

Douglass Memorial Cemetery, located at 1421 Wilkes Street, was established in 1895 as a segregated, nondenominational African American cemetery. The historic burial ground faces several preservation challenges. The City of Alexandria is developing plans to study and determine solutions that are respectful and appropriate to the sensitive nature of the site.
Page updated on March 13, 2023 at 1:44 PM

Historic Sites

  • About Historic Alexandria
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    • Alexandria Archaeology Museum
    • Alexandria Black History Museum
    • Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum
    • Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site
    • Freedom House Museum
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Current Update on Douglass Cemetery

August 2022

Funding is available to begin the work to preserve and restore Douglass Cemetery. Visitors will start to see site visits from City staff and consultants to study the flooding and standing water issues and assess the condition of the gravestones. Further information is provided below in the Timeline and Project Updates section.

Overview

“WHEREAS, every Alexandrian must reckon with the City's historical past as well as our explicit and implicit involvement and contributions to the institution of American slavery and the subsequent and deeply rooted racial inequities of today.”

All Alexandria: Committing to Race and Social Equity (RESOLUTION NO. 2974)

Douglass Cemetery Entrance, October 2021
Entrance to Douglass Cemetery.

Douglass Memorial Cemetery, located at 1421 Wilkes Street, faces several preservation challenges, including flooding and drainage problems, which are complicated by the presence of unmarked burials and the ownership status of the parcel. The City of Alexandria has staff from the Office of Historic Alexandria, Transportation and Environmental Services, and Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities working to address these preservation issues. The City is developing plans to study and determine solutions that are respectful and appropriate to the sensitive nature of the site. Public involvement and feedback are a very important part of maintaining this Alexandria cemetery. Updates and notices will appear on this webpage.

History

Douglass Cemetery October 2021
Douglass Cemetery, October 2021

The Douglass Cemetery Association established Douglass Memorial Cemetery in 1895 as a segregated, nondenominational African American cemetery and named in memory of Frederick Douglass (1818-1895). That year, the Alexandria Gazette reported,

“A force of workmen is employed in opening the walks, grading the ground and grading an entrance at the new Douglass Memorial cemetery for colored people, on the western outskirts of the city. The owners of the property [are] preparing to erect a monument in the center of the cemetery to the memory of Fred. Douglass.”

The western half of the cemetery was used first and was divided into family lots with relatives being buried together. The other half shows a pattern of burials in sequence of when people died. Records suggest over 2,000 people may have been buried at Douglass, yet fewer than 700 grave markers are visible today. Some markers have fallen over or sunk into the ground, but many burials may have been originally marked with only an impermanent wooden marker, or with no marker at all.

The last known burial at Douglass was in 1975, and while the cemetery is no longer managed or maintained by the association, it has not been forgotten by the friends and families of those buried here. In recent years, the City of Alexandria, as well as Douglass’ neighbors including Old Town Village, have stepped in to assist in caring for the cemetery, including mowing and trash cleanup. The Social Responsibility Group and the Friends of Douglass Cemetery have worked diligently to raise awareness of the significance of the cemetery and the preservation issues.  

  • See more Historic Cemeteries of Alexandria.

Oral History Initiative

The Office of Historic Alexandria is pleased to announce that Virginia Humanities has awarded our department with a $20,000 grant to support the new oral history initiative to document the stories of the Douglass Cemetery descendant community. This project is supported by the Social Responsibility Group and utilizes interns from Howard University.

Preservation

Douglass Cemetery Drainage Issue October 2021
Douglass Cemetery drainage issue, October 2021.

The City of Alexandria is committed to the preservation of this historic Black burial ground in partnership with the Social Responsibility Group and the Friends of Douglass Cemetery. Alexandria residents and City staff have identified several issues that threaten the preservation of this site, including drainage problems and areas of standing water, as well as the condition of the burial markers. Preservation efforts at Douglass Cemetery will take time given the complexity of the issues and the sensitive nature of the historic site, including the presence of unmarked burials.

Research and Documentation

Close-up of gravestones in Douglass Cemetery
Western section of Douglass Cemetery.

In support of these efforts, local historians and the Office of Historic Alexandria have compiled existing research on Douglass Cemetery, registered the site as an archaeological and architectural resource with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, and continues with documentation efforts. Publications and sources documenting the cemetery include:

Tombstone Inscriptions of Alexandria, Volumes 3 and Volume 5, Wesley E. Pippenger, Family Line Publications, 1992 and 2005.

Alexandria historian Wesley Pippenger has surveyed many Alexandria cemeteries and published several volumes of Alexandria tombstone inscriptions, transcribing this valuable historic resource and making the information more readily available. Volumes 3 and 5 have information related to Douglass Cemetery, available at Local History/Special Collections, Barrett Branch Library.

Those Upon Whom the Curtain Has Fallen Past and Present Cemeteries of Old Town Alexandria, Virginia With Walking Tours of Old Town, Mark D. Greenly, Alexandria Archaeology Publications Number 88, Alexandria Archaeology, Office of Historic Alexandria, City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1996.

This document pulls together information on many of the cemeteries in Old Town Alexandria, and includes a brief section on Douglass Cemetery (page 27).

Douglass Cemetery Association Fairfax County, Virginia: Interment Records, 1896-1959, compiled by T. Michael Miller, 2004.

In 2004, City Historian T. Michael Miller published, “Douglass Cemetery Association, Fairfax County, Virginia: Interment Records, 1896-1959,” which includes page scans and transcriptions of the original Douglass Cemetery Association records. These include the names of people buried at Douglass, the date they were buried, fees paid and by whom, and sometimes the location within the cemetery they were buried. Available at Local History/Special Collections, Barrett Branch Library. 

Non-invasive Geophysical Surveys Douglass Memorial and Penny Hill Cemeteries, Alexandria, Virginia. Rhea Engineers and Consultants, Inc., Alexandria, Virginia, Nadia E. Johnson, RPA and William J. Johnson, PG, Rhea Engineers and Consultants, Inc., 2019. Available online with charts and figures.

In 2019, researchers working with Alexandria Archaeology conducted a non-invasive geophysical survey at two historic cemeteries maintained by the City, Penny Hill Cemetery and Douglass Memorial Cemetery. This remote sensing survey used two geophysical survey techniques (ground penetrating radar and electrical conductivity) to identify the potential locations of burials without physically disturbing the ground. These instruments were dragged or pushed along the ground surface and recorded characteristics of the soil below that may indicate burials. Similar surveys have been conducted at historic cemeteries elsewhere in the City, including at the Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery, Fort Ward, Ivy Hill Cemetery, and St. Mary’s Cemetery. This project was partially funded through a Certified Local Government grant from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.

The Office of Historic Alexandria is compiling a complete list of people buried in Douglass Cemetery using the interment records (published by T. Michael Miller in 2004), the Virginia Death Certificate Records beginning in 1912 that indicate burial location, and other sources. Working with City surveyors, OHA has also documented the locations of the existing grave markers in Douglass. The goal of these and future efforts is to help families identify the burials of their relatives, and aid in genealogical and African American history research, and to guide preservation efforts here at Douglass Cemetery.

An upcoming condition assessment will document the markers in the cemetery and note needed maintenance, straightening, and repairs, and recommend future conservation treatments and costs.

Timeline and Project Updates

2002 Winter: Conservator Howard Wellman of Wellman Conservation, LLC completed a condition survey of Douglass Cemetery gravestones and compiled detailed descriptions and recommendations on priorities for treatment. Read the Cemetery Preservation Plan.

2022 Fall: Conservator Howard Wellman of Wellman Conservation, LLC will perform a condition survey of Douglass Cemetery. This survey includes two phases. The goal of phase one is to create condition notes for all visible gravestones, treatment priority recommendations based on condition, and budget estimates. The visual inspection will document the material, style, and condition of each stone. For example, some stones may only need light cleaning while others may require more extensive, professional treatment to restore them to better condition. Phase 2 of the survey will create a conservation condition assessment of the gravestones in the most serious condition with treatment recommendations and cost estimates. These recommendations will guide future conservation and preservation of the gravestones. Recommendations will be shared with stakeholders before any work is planned. Documenting the condition of the stones is one important step in the larger effort to restore the cemetery and preserve Alexandria’s African American history.

2022 August: The Department of Project Implementation (with support from OHA, TES, and RPCA) has contracted with Jacobs Engineering Group to conduct a local drainage analysis for the area in and around Douglass Cemetery to develop alternatives to address flooding. Jacobs will review available data, conduct a site visit and desktop drainage analysis to develop feasible planning level drainage alternatives to reduce flooding in the cemetery and improve overall drainage in the areas surrounding the cemetery site. This is a critical first step in addressing the most pressing preservation threat to the cemetery caused by the frequent standing water. The findings of the study will be shared with the public.  

2022 July: Project funded. News Release, July 8, City of Alexandria Notes State Financial Support for City Projects in Recently Signed State Budget.

2022: General Assembly Funding Request, $500,000 for cemetery preservation. Additional $500,000 budget amendments from Senator Adam Ebbin and Delegate Elizabeth Bennett-Parker. 

2019: Non-invasive Geophysical Survey Completed

2019: New Historic Interpretation Sign Installed

Douglass Cemetery in the News

  • A Virginia teen saw a historic black cemetery in disrepair. He recruited his fellow Boy Scouts to restore it. Hannah Natanson, The Washington Post, August 15, 2019.
  • Concerns growing over flooding at historically Black cemetery in Alexandria. Matthew Torres, WUSA9 News, August 31, 2021.
  • A Sacred Trust: Protecting African American Burial Grounds. Alexandria Community Remembrance Project Newsletter, November 2021.
  • The Fight to Preserve Douglass Cemetery. Olivia Anderson, Alexandria Times, November 26, 2021.
  • Cemeteries. FindFamilyRoutes.com, October 2021. Scroll down the page to read an interview with Michael Johnson, a longtime resident of Alexandria, VA and a descendant of African Americans interred in Douglass Cemetery. 
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  • Historic Preservation
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