Ivy Hill Historical Preservation Society Celebrates Listing on National Register of Historic Places
ALEXANDRIA, VA-On Sunday, June 1, Ivy Hill Cemetery hosted a special celebration to honor its recent National Register of Historic Places listing. Located at 2823 King Street, the cemetery covers 22 acres of rolling hills and lush woodlands, featuring a serene stream that adds to its park-like appearance and atmosphere.
The event brought together the cemetery’s Board, Ivy Hill Historical Preservation Society, and many families who gathered to commemorate this historic site, which has served as the final resting place for their loved ones for generations.
The recent inclusion of Ivy Hill Cemetery on the historic register is a significant achievement from years of hard work and dedication. This critical recognition, overseen by the National Park Service, was made possible by Ivy Hill Historian Catherine Weinraub, who initiated the process in September 2022, and reached out to John Sprinkle for assistance.
Sprinkle, a historian with the National Park Service and an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Maryland, provided invaluable guidance throughout the process. Recognizing the challenges in obtaining a listing on the historic register, he recommended a talented graduate student, Vincent Turner, to assist with the application.
Turner skillfully navigated the rigorous requirements necessary for Ivy Hill Cemetery to gain the recognition it deserved at the state and federal levels. His extensive research was crucial in securing this distinguished designation. Turner explained that he needed to demonstrate the cemetery’s historical significance, show that it has maintained its original design and layout, preserve its gravemarkers, and highlight its association with important historical figures. The last requirement was the easiest to satisfy, as a glance at the cemetery’s website reveals grave listings for a famous suffragette, a Confederate spy, a controversial German-born rocket scientist, and many prominent families from Alexandria dating back to the 19th century.
Weinraub noted that many members of the Green family are buried in Ivy Hill Cemetery. Once one of the wealthiest families in Alexandria, the Greens have a significant historical legacy. William Green founded the Green Furniture Factory in the early 1800s, and his son James took over the factory, later owning and managing the Green Mansion House Hotel. The Green family and their furniture factory and mansion play an essential role in the critically acclaimed PBS series “Mercy Street,” set in Union-occupied Alexandria during the Civil War. In the series, much like in real life, the mansion is converted into a hospital, while the furniture factory becomes a prison.
Ivy Hill is a non-denominational cemetery that serves as a sanctuary for protected and rare flora and fauna. It is also a welcoming space for dog walkers and picnic-goers. The cemetery’s non-denominational status simplified the application process, as the authorities in charge prefer to avoid favoring any particular religion.
Ivy Hill’s origins as part of the 19th-century “rural cemetery movement” are viewed positively. During that time, such rural cemeteries were considered the first parks, reflecting the Victorian era’s romantic views on death and mourning, highlighting the significance of nature and tranquility.
Ivy Hill is home to two notable structures: the Keeper’s Lodge and the Receiving Vault, both built around 1855. These buildings are popular with visitors and host various programs and fundraisers. The Receiving Vault served as a temporary storage facility for bodies before burial. Historical records show that the cemetery’s 22 acres have been used for family burials since at least 1837. While there are gravemarkers with earlier death dates, it has been confirmed that these graves were relocated from other locations. Ivy Hill was officially chartered in 1854 and opened to the public in 1856.
Lucy Burke Goddin, a lifelong resident of Alexandria and a board member, shared her concerns during the gathering. “Cemeteries are not just for the deceased; they are also for the living,” she said.
The push for the cemetery’s listing was partly motivated by concerns that it may eventually reach capacity, leaving no funds available for its maintenance. She highlighted that Ivy Hill Cemetery’s designation as a site on the National Register of Historic Places acknowledges its essential role in connecting us to our past and understanding our history. This designation demonstrates the dedication of donors, volunteers, and staff to preserving the cemetery’s legacy. It ensures that those who appreciate historical preservation, value nature, and seek a space for mourning, remembrance, and honoring their loved ones can do so for generations to come.
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