Mark Hudson
Executive Director, Historic Congressional Cemetery
From our executive director
Dear Friends,
Welcome to Historic Congressional Cemetery’s 2025 Annual Report. By exploring this document, you will learn about the activities of the past year and read the names of the individuals and organizations who made 2025 a great success. For me, this has been a memorable year for the warm welcome I have received since my arrival in September. My thanks are extended to each of you for allowing me to become a part of this extraordinary community.
Among the first to greet me was Board Chair Richard Greene whose service to the organization has been unparalleled. For nearly seven years, Richard was a stalwart member of the Board, the final four as Chair. His dedication, wisdom and warmth provided Historic Congressional Cemetery with the leadership it needed at critical moments.
Special thanks are also extended to Director of Programing A.J. Orlikoff who served as Interim Executive Director after Jackie Spainhour departed in early 2025. Through his energy and inspiration, A.J. propelled the organization forward with innovative programming, capable management of the organization’s resources and thoughtful planning for the future.
Among the initiatives he spearheaded was a master planning process. Conducted under the direction of our colleagues at Rhodeside & Harwell, this year-long process examined the natural and historic resources of Congressional Cemetery, resulting in a detailed plan that will guide the care and development of the cemetery for much of the next decade. The process included focus groups, surveys and community meetings where we gathered your ideas. Our thanks go out to everyone who helped make this process a success.
Through programs and events, the community celebrated the legacy of those interred here. Notable highlights included LGBTQ programming affiliated with DC’s WorldPride celebration and a graverobbing themed Soul Strolls. Perhaps most importantly, we continued to serve grieving families, providing a sacred space where their loved ones can find eternal rest.
We hope you will find inspiration within the pages of this report and thank you for your continued engagement and support in 2025. We look forward to continuing our important work in 2026.
Sincerely,
Mark Hudson
Executive Director
Historic Congressional Cemetery
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.
