Ivy Hill Cemetery Historical Preservation Society

04/19/2026

This weekend is prime visiting time to see Ivy Hill in all her glory❤️

04/13/2026

Sign up now for the May tour of Ivy Hill with Catherine!

Please join us for a tour through Ivy Hill Cemetery highlighting many historical figures and local heros buried at Ivy Hill. Tour led by Ivy Hill Cemetery Historical Preservation Society's Historian Catherine Weinraub. Dress for the weather, wear comfortable shoes, and BYOW (Bring Your Own Water). C...

03/24/2026

Take a walk through Ivy Hill with Catherine and get the scoop on our residents and its history! Sign up for an April 4th tour.

Please join us for a tour through Ivy Hill Cemetery highlighting many historical figures and local heros buried at Ivy Hill. Tour led by Ivy Hill Cemetery Historical Preservation Society's Historian Catherine Weinraub. Dress for the weather, wear comfortable shoes, and BYOW (Bring Your Own Water). C...

03/16/2026

Only a couple of seats remain for the wine tasting this Friday!

Experience a wine tasting unlike any other, set against the backdrop of the cemetery’s quiet landscape and the historic 1858 house. This unique event blends history, ambiance, and curated wines for an evening that celebrates both heritage and hospitality.

Carol Kaufmann is a Rosemont resident and certified wine consultant with a passion for showcasing Virginia’s growing wine industry. With more than 300 wineries across the state, Virginia has emerged as a thriving American wine region, gaining national recognition for wines that reflect the character of its land and soil. Often compared to Napa Valley in its early years, the industry is also a rapidly expanding economic driver.

Carol will guide guests through a tasting of six Virginia wines, highlighting what makes the state’s grapes stand out, while attendees enjoy a selection of appetizers.

Please email [email protected] or go to our webpage to sign up!

Experience a wine tasting unlike any other, set against the backdrop of the cemetery’s quiet landscape and the historic 1858 house. This unique event blends history, ambiance, and curated wines for an evening that celebrates

02/18/2026

A huge thank you to David Heiby for the fascinating discussion about Philip Richard Fendall’s life and the mystery surrounding his burial. Thank you also to those that attended from near and far!

02/10/2026

Join us next week, Tuesday, February 17th at 7:00pm to hear how David Heiby investigated conflicting burial records and rediscovered where Philip Richard Fendall I is buried. Spoiler - it's Ivy Hill!!! Please RSVP!
https://forms.gle/HD3gkAb7Xmx8h6fHA

02/05/2026

Ivy Hill is still covered in snow! The main roads are clear and they are working on the gravel roads. Please proceed with caution and adhere to signage. Thank you!!!

01/24/2026

I am sure you have heard, a winter storm is coming! Ivy Hill will be closed until the plows can clear the roads. We will post an update as soon as that is complete and it is safe within the Cemetery. Stay warm and safe!

01/07/2026

To kick off our 2026 events, Alexandria's own David Heiby, founder and historian behind Gravestone Stories, will explain how Philip Richard Fendall I's gravesite was lost and rediscovered at Ivy Hill. Please join us at the Ivy Hill office on Tuesday, February 17th at 7:00. Seating will be limited and cost is $10. Please sign up here!

For more than 200 years, no one knew for sure. In 2023, public historian David Heiby began investigating conflicting burial records. With help from Ivy Hill’s archives and a ground-penetrating radar study, the evidence now points to Section B, Lot 1. This February, join us at Ivy Hill as David rev...

01/06/2026

Ivy Hill Cemetery turns 170 this year!
To mark the Anniversary, we plan to celebrate all year long!
Please save the following dates and join us for a little history and a lot of fun.

We will be adding more events and details to the calendar, so please check the “Events” section of our webpage www.ivyhillcemetery.net or here for updates and sign up information.

Where History Rests: The Grave of Philip Richard Fendall, Sr.
Tuesday, February 17 - 7:00 PM

A Taste of Virginia: A Cemetery Wine Experience
March (date TBA)

Picnic Among the Stones: 19th c Cemetery Picnic and Celebration for 170th Anniversary
Sunday, June 14 - 4:30 PM

Operation Paperclip: Wernher Von Braun and the Race for Space
Tuesday, July 21 - 7:00 PM

Veils of Sorrow: 19th c Mourning Practices
Tuesday, September 15 – 7:00 PM

Forever on Duty: AFD Wreath Laying Ceremony Honoring Fallen Firefighters
Friday, October 9 - 11:00 AM

Ashes, Sacrifice, and Remembrance: The History of the Firefighters’ Memorial
Saturday, November 14 – 1:00 PM

10/31/2025

Fun Fact Friday! Vola Lawson (1934-2013) made significant contributions to Alexandria as its first female City Manager and as a dedicated civil rights activist. Her commitment to animal rights led her to establish the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. In acknowledgement of her impactful work, the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter and Vola’s restaurant celebrate her legacy. Mrs. Lawson is buried in Section 33.

10/06/2025

Spots for the Poe reading this Saturday are filling up! Sign up soon!

Please join us for Poems and Stories by Edgar Allan Poe, performed by the Guillotine Theater Saturday, October 11, 2025 7:00 pm Seating is on benches and chairs, outside, so please dress for the weather! Flashlights also helpful. Tickets are $20 each, please bring cash (exact change) the night of th...