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TICKETS AVAILABLE: Did You Know the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex in Alexandria is America’s Most Historic?

Take a 90-Minute Walk through 200 Years of American History

People standing in a cemetery in a group
Typical walking tour through the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. (Photo: David Heiby)

ALEXANDRIA, VA – Tickets have just gone on sale for a 90-minute tour, Sunday, April 13 from 11:00-12:30 p.m. through the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex, 1475 Wilkes Street, located in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. The land and the notables buried there are best described as an 82-acre outdoor museum, where every gravestone tells a story.

“Hidden in plain sight, the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex is the most historic cluster of cemeteries in the United States—a resting place for Revolutionary War patriots, Civil War soldiers, and legendary Alexandrians who shaped America,” says Gravestone Stories owner David Heiby. “Our expert guides bring the past to life with captivating stories you won’t find in textbooks.”

Why This Tour Will Captivate You:

🔹 Meet the First “Mr. President” – Discover how Dennis Ramsay coined the title when addressing George Washington

🔹 Civil War Drama – Walk in the footsteps of Wilmer McLean, whose life was bookended by the first and last battles of the Civil War

🔹 Hidden Heroes – Honor the courageous United States Colored Troops (USCTs) who fought for freedom and equality

🔹 Alexandria’s Untold Stories – From the daring 1848 Pearl Escape to the city’s connection to Little Bighorn, uncover the forgotten narratives that shaped our nation

What Makes These Tours Special?

✨ Unparalleled Expertise – Led by dedicated local historians actively researching and preserving Alexandria’s past

✨ Beyond the Textbooks – Dive deep into original letters, documents, and primary sources

✨ Connected History – See how Alexandria’s history intertwines with key moments in American history

✨ Authentic Experience – Walk among founding families, patriots, and pioneers in their final resting place

Perfect For:

✅ History lovers craving an authentic, well-researched experience

✅ Locals eager to uncover their city’s hidden past

✅ Visitors seeking Alexandria’s most unique historical tour

✅ Anyone fascinated by American history from colonial times to today

What to Bring:

✔ Comfortable walking shoes

✔ Weather-appropriate clothing

✔ Water bottle

✔ Your curiosity about Alexandria’s past

Space is limited to ensure an intimate, engaging experience. Reserve your spot now and step back in time with us.

Wilkes Street Cemetery Map
Wilkes Street Cemetery Map

Venue Information

The Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex

1475 Wilkes Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
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Mary Wadland

Mary Wadland is the Publisher and Editor in Chief of The Zebra Press, founded by her in 2010. Originally from Delray Beach, Florida, Mary is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Hollins College in Roanoke, VA and has lived and worked in the Alexandria publishing community since 1987.

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