Our Mission

Historic Congressional Cemetery seeks to preserve, promote, and protect our historic and active burial ground. We respectfully celebrate the legacy of those interred here through education, historic preservation, community engagement, and environmental stewardship.

Get to know Historic Congressional Cemetery

  • Burial sites are still available to the general public.
  • Congressional Cemetery is open to the public everyday from dawn to dusk. Unless special circumstances require it, we do not allow cars to drive in, but welcome visitors to walk around the grounds and explore the history that is here.
  • Tour groups are welcome. We do ask however that the group organizer or tour guide call our office to alert us to your arrival and to confirm that there are no special events scheduled that may conflict with your visit. Our office number is 202-543-0539.
  • We are a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit who realizes its mission in large part through charitable donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations. Your donation is tax deductible according to Federal law. Please donate today!
  • Partial funding for the preservation and maintenance of Historic Congressional Cemetery is provided by the 1998 Congressional Cemetery Endowment, which was created with matching funds provided by the Congress of the United States and administered by the National Trust for Historic Preservation
200+

Years of History

2500

Volunteers

20K+

Annual Visitors

Meet Our Team

Get to know the staff and contributors that make up the Congressional team.

Rich History

Read on for a brief history of Historic Congressional Cemetery.

Annual Reports

Learn more about progress at Congressional with our annual report.

Our nonprofit organization is on a mission to preserve, protect, and promote our historic and active burial ground.

With its first burial in 1807, Historic Congressional Cemetery is among the oldest institutions in Washington, DC, and is the final resting place of over 70,000
individuals. Their stories are American history in microcosm, all in 35 acres of the nation’s capital. Still an active burial ground, it is the only place in Washington where individuals can be buried at a site directly on Pierre L’Enfant’s 18th century city plan.

Historic Congressional Cemetery was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2011 and continues to build upon the legacy of over 200 years of American history. The cemetery is administered by the nonprofit Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery and owned by Christ Church + Washington Parish. The association is constantly striving to maintain the historic, cultural, and aesthetic qualities of this natural landscape along the Anacostia River. Hundreds of volunteers each year help preserve the cemetery and further its nonprofit mission.

Congressional Cemetery hours

  • Cemetery grounds are open daily from dawn to dusk

  • Cemetery office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

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