Alexandria National Cemetery (Alexandria, Virginia)

Alexandria National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery, of approximately 5.5 acres (2.2 ha), located in the city of Alexandria, Virginia. Administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, it is one of the original national cemeteries that were established in 1862. As of 2014, it was site to over 4,500 interments. The cemetery can accommodate the cremated remains of eligible individuals.

Alexandria National Cemetery
Alexandria National Cemetery; in the background, behind the second stone wall, may be seen some of the older burials
Location1450 Wilkes St., Alexandria, Virginia
Coordinates38°48′06″N 77°03′30″W
Area5.5 acres (2.2 ha)
Built1862
ArchitectMeigs, Montgomery C.
Architectural styleItalianate, Second Empire
MPSCivil War Era National Cemeteries MPS
NRHP reference No.95000106[1]
VLR No.100-0138
Significant dates
Added to NRHPMarch 2, 1995
Designated VLROctober 19, 1994[2]
VA interpretive sign about Alexandria National Cemetery

History

As one of the original national cemeteries, it served as the burial grounds for mostly Union soldiers who died in the numerous hospitals around the Alexandria area, but by 1864 it was almost filled to capacity. This led to the development of the Arlington National Cemetery. The remains of 39 Confederates, originally buried in the cemetery during the Civil War, were disinterred by the Daughters of the Confederacy in 1879. The remains were reinterred in Christ Church cemetery.

Alexandria National Cemetery was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.

References

  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. "Virginia Landmarks Register". Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Archived from the original on 2013-09-21. Retrieved 12 May 2013.

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