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Congressional Cemetery

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Congressional Cemetery

Grounds open dawn to dusk everyday, dog walking by members. Founded in 1807, the cemetery is the final resting place of such notables as John Philip Sousa, J.
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Still an active cemetery with plots available, Congressional Cemetery has been owned by Christ Church since 1807 and has been operated by the nonprofit Historic Congressional Cemetery since 1976. Edgar Hoover, Vice President Elbridge Gerry, William Wirt, General Macomb and Push-ma-ta-ta. But as we say, you don't have to be rich and famous to be buried here, you just have to be dead. Located on Capitol Hill among 35 bucolic acres fronting the Anacostia River.

05/20/2026

This World Bee Day, join us in planting pollinator-friendly blooms, choosing natural pest controls, and together, we can ensure that these tiny marvels continue to thrive.

Nestled along the banks of the Anacostia River, Historic Congressional Cemetery has been home to a thriving apiary since Spring 2018. Our hives, lovingly tended by the DC Beekeepers Alliance and Second Story Honey, have transformed headstones and ancient trees into a living garden where each foraging flight sustains native wildflowers and preserves biodiversity in the heart of the city.

Our worker bees collectively travel thousands of miles to craft DC’s finest local honey, our Rest In Bees wildflower honey.
Our next harvest is coming in early Fall, so stay tuned!

05/19/2026

Our death doula in residence, Laura Lyster-Mensh, has begun a journey to visit all the cemeteries in Washington DC in 2026!

She writes in her Substack, " ... [I am] unable to settle for just visiting more, or doing it when I 'have time,' I am making time in my busy life to sit vigil at all of them in 2026..."

You're invited to join her, share and suggest locations, and follow along as she documents this journey. Learn more about why she's starting this journey and how you can get involved by subscribing for free to her Substack: https://lauralalaboom.substack.com/

05/18/2026

There's still time to register for ' Pride 5k! The race celebrates everyone in the LGBTQIA+ community and is a welcoming space for all members and allies to join in a fun morning of sport.

🏳️‍🌈Click this link to learn more and register https://runsignup.com/Race/DC/Washington/DCFRPrideRun

05/13/2026

Spring has arrived at Historic Congressional Cemetery, and so has the latest edition of The Graveyard Gazette!

You can read the newsletter using the link below!

https://congressionalcemetery.org/newsletters/

Inside the Spring 2026 newsletter you’ll find:

• A letter from Board Vice Chair Marsha Lea.

• A special 50th anniversary message from Executive Director Mark Hudson.

• Introductions to new members of the HCC team.

• An America250 feature on Elbridge Gerry, the only signer of the Declaration of Independence buried in Washington, D.C., by History Education Manager Kurt Deion.

• Updates, stories, and more from DC’s Greatest Undertaking.

As the cemetery blooms with colorful florals, fresh greenery, and new life, we’re grateful for the community that continues to preserve, promote, and protect this historic landscape.

05/11/2026

Spring is one of the most beautiful seasons at Congressional Cemetery, when vibrant blooms, flowering trees, and fresh greenery transform the historic grounds into one of DC’s most scenic green spaces.

Whether you are visiting a loved one, looking for a peaceful walk or to explore the rich history of the Cemetery, spring offers the perfect time to wander the paths and take in the landscape.

Be sure to pick up one of our self-guided walking tours and discover the stories, memorials, and hidden corners that make Congressional Cemetery such a unique destination.

05/09/2026

Join us for a captivating spring concerts with the National Symphony Orchestra () on May 9th at 2 pm in our historic cemetery chapel.

Our Spring Concert Series will immerse you in the beauty of live classical music, performed by the National Symphony Orchestra in this unique and intimate venue.

This event is perfect for music lovers, families, and anyone seeking an afternoon of classic music in a historic setting. Limited seating is available, so be sure to arrive early to secure your spot.

Advance registration is not required, admission is FREE and seating is first come, first served. Doors open at 1:30 pm.

We look forward to seeing you there!🎼

05/07/2026

Congressional Cemetery is proud to be featured as the cover story in the April issue of American Cemetery & Cremation magazine.

In “Adapt or Die: The Lively Evolution of North American Cemeteries,” Director of Programming, A.J. Orlikoff, explores the challenges and opportunities facing cemeteries today, from shifting cultural expectations to long-term sustainability. He examines how places like Congressional Cemetery are evolving to remain relevant, active, and deeply connected to the communities they serve.

At Congressional, we’ve long believed that cemeteries are places of memory, engagement, and life. This article reflects that philosophy and highlights the work being done here and across the field to ensure these landscapes endure.

We’re grateful to magazine publishers Kates-Boylston Publications for the feature and proud to contribute to the broader conversation shaping the future of cemeteries.

Cover photo by Kitty Linton

05/05/2026

As we continue our journey toward arboretum accreditation, we want to take a moment to recognize the partners and supporters who have made this work possible.

Environmental stewardship at Historic Congressional Cemetery is not done alone; It is sustained by a community that believes in the power of green space, memory, and care. We are grateful to our tree sponsors, whose generosity has quite literally taken root across the landscape, and to the Capitol Hill Community Foundation , a cornerstone of support for our neighborhood and historic district.

We also extend our thanks to the Garden Club of America for their commitment to connecting people, plants, and the environment; to Casey Trees , whose leadership continues to shape Washington, D.C. as a city of trees; and to Nature Sacred , whose work helps make meaningful green spaces possible in urban environments.

We invite you to visit and experience the impact of these partnerships firsthand. Spend a moment at the new Nature Sacred bench in the Circle of Life, or explore the Tree Walk Through History, now expanded with new interpretation accessible through QR-coded tree tags across the grounds.

05/03/2026

Congressional Cemetery is the final resting place of many mothers. Some were biological mothers, like Lucy Bell, who devoted her life to fighting for her family’s freedom from slavery. Some mothers are metaphorical, like Barbara Gittings, “ A Mother of the Gay Rights Movement” (her memorial bench is pictured below), and Flora Adams Darling, the founding mother of the National Society United States Daughters of 1812.

This Mother’s Day weekend, we invite you on a stroll to learn about the history of mothers of all kinds, through the lens of Congressional Cemetery.

Tickets for this tour are available here: https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/congressionalcemetery/mostly-mothers-2026

📷 by Kitty Linton

04/30/2026

Historic Congressional Cemetery has a great slate of docent-led special topic tours scheduled in May and June! Our trained docents have curated walking tours to share the diverse history of HCC's interred residents.

On Saturday, May 9th, come stroll and learn about mothers and maternal figures like Barbara Gittings, “Mother of the Gay Rights Movement," on our Mostly Mothers tour.

Our Jewish Americans tour on Sunday, May 17th will teach you about Ruth Rappaport, who escaped persecution in Europe, and Tom Lantos, the only Holocaust survivor to serve in the U.S. Congress.

The Founding the Federal City: Capital Connections tour on Saturday, May 30th shares the history of people who contributed to the establishment of Washington, DC, including merchants, architects, and more.

The Pride edition of our LGBTQ+ tour on Sunday, June 7th includes figures like Air Force veteran and gay rights activist Leonard Matlovich, Forgotten Scouts founder William Boyce Mueller, and HCC's historic Gay Corner.

The African Americans history tour on Saturday, June 20th, like Lucy Bell, whose family was dedicated to fighting for freedom from slavery, and Marion Barry, DC's "Mayor For Life."

Tickets are for sale on our events calendar in the Linktree in our bio.

Tickets are only $10 and all proceeds go to benefitting our non-profit mission of historical preservation and education.

Address

1801 E Street SE
Washington D.C., DC
20003

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	8am - 6am
Sunday	8am - 6am

Telephone

+12025430539

Website

https://www.congressionalcemetery.org/

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