Congressional Cemetery

This morning I wandered around Congressional Cemetery way out in southeast Washington. This cemetery was established 200 years ago in 1807 by Christ Church (the original Episcopal parish in D.C., founded in 1794) as the parish cemetery, but by 1817, much of the grounds had been set aside for legislators and government officials. Even though it bears the "congressional" name, the cemetery is still privately owned by Christ Church and managed by a non-profit organization; funding for maintenance and upkeep is an ongoing challenge. The chapel where I attended Mass this morning was built just after the turn of the 20th century.

Here are a few scenes:



Today being the Feast of the Epiphany and the last of the Twelve Days of Christmas, I was particularly touched to find this Christmas wreath by a grave over fifty years old. The totem poles were put up as a memorial to the Indians who died in the 9/11 attacks on the Pentagon.



Many famous people from the early part of the nation's history are buried here. Amongst them are John Phillip Sousa, the famous march composer, and J. Edgar Hoover, former director of the FBI (and, some twelve graves away, Hoover's "longtime companion," Clyde Tolson). Both the Sousas and the Hoovers have big family plots. I found it interesting, though, that the Hoovers have a bench as a part of their plot. Matthew Brady, the famous Civil War photographer, is also buried here, but I wasn't able to find his grave.



For a slide show of about 20 black and white photographs of the cemetery I took this morning, please click here.