I made a pilgrimage to the Congressional Cemetery today to pay my respects to Tech. Sgt. Leonard Matlovich and Army veteran Franklin Kameny. Their work in the 1970s to assist gay, lesbian, and bisexual service members in their fight to serve openly featured prominently in my dissertation. The cemetery itself is so wonderfully inclusive and diverse. And the association that maintains the property keeps bees! Along the roofs of the family vaults are a series of hives. And there is a small plot for pets, too! I was just amazed. It being spooky season, I saw that there are also some spoopy evening tours to get your spook on. read more

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We came here to see an outdoor movie screening. It was a really nice experience. We moved here from LA where we were used to the very over-the-top experience of the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. That was a much bigger experience than this which would often bring back classic movies, with guest appearances by the actors in it and actual walk through scenes with live actors and theme cocktail bars, etc. Okay, so this is much more low key! But we appreciate the effort. We went to see Jurassic Park. We got a seat among the tombstones and the screen kept getting blown up, only to deflate about 5 times! They eventually got it up. And after they had a few issues with playing the movie, they got it started. I liked the determination. They offer free popcorn and have a very small drink selection like canned wine wine, soda, and water. Our family had a lot of fun. We'd likely check it out again. I love the history of this place and would be interested in coming back to try the LGBT walk tour as it's the only cemetery in the world with an gay burial section. read more

Washington, DC - We visited Congressional Cemetery for Soul Strolls. This special event features actors representing cemetery residents and sharing their stories. Our first stop was the cemetery chapel for drinks. Volunteers mix them up and I will say they are generous pours. Next we stopped at the gift shop tent. Books, honey from the on premise hives and Christmas ornaments are part of the inventory. There's something cemetery themed for everyone. Our Stroll was led by a costumed guide. She introduced us to the various featured actors. Each actor then told their story. We learned a lot about local history and also took some fun photos. I highly recommend this Fall activity. read more

Congressional Cemetery - Outside the entrance there's a big chair with rotating artwork - Funeral Services & Cemeteries Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Grave hunting is a guilty pleasure of mine. I love to explore a cemetery and find the final resting places of famous individuals. There is something about it what makes it peaceful, comforting, and providing closure to the end of that person's purpose on this planet. As a dress rehearsal to Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, I decided to spend a few hours here. This cemetery, also is a dog park. Dogs running around leash free, but at least the owners were responsible. I took a pamphlet to help me find where the graves were. It helped me a little, but overall I struggled to read it. I also went here in the off-season which may not have helped my cause, but I am happy that I came and visited. The final resting places of John Philip Sousa, J. Edgar Hoover, Mathew Brady, and several members of Congress are buried here. Some former Presidents were buried here temporarily before being moved to other plots. The cenotaphs are pretty too, but a little eerie. I can see why this practice ended when it did. If you are looking for a cemetery without all the formalities of Arlington, this one is a good place to start. read more

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Yeah, it's probably weird that I'm writing a review for this place, but it's also kind of strange that it's an ultra-exclusive dog walking location and place to stroll, so here we are. Really peaceful place and it's great to walk your dog in. You can pay to get on their membership wait list, but it's a few years of waiting, so they have weekend/day passes in the meantime. Highly recommend visiting in the morning or when the sun sets, since those seem to be the quieter times here. There are a bunch of cherry blossom trees that bloom during springtime that are so beautiful. read more

Review #550 goes to the place I visit the most these days of pandemic. This is a review of Congressional as a membership dog park and event space, not for its funeral services. We are K9 dog members, and this place for our doggos has been a lifesaver. It usually takes a couple years to get off the wait list , and the renewal period is usually in February/March. It's a great off leash option and totally worth the steep membership fee if you come here regularly. Only two miles from the Capitol, Congressional Cemetery has a rich history and something interesting for everyone. From Marion Barry to John Phillip Sousa, to J Edgar Hoover to many of the first Native American leaders, to unknown Chinese laborers and cenotaph for the first Congressmen, there's a lot of history here! Did I mention that one of my friends is working on her PhD thesis using some of these folks? In pre-pandemic times, Congressional Cemetery was open to the public and was a great educational and event green space in the District. The have Soul Stroll tours during Halloween season, movies on the green, zombie yoga, etc. There are still some limited events open to the public. Currently only mourners and K9 dog members and people purchasing day passes for their dog are allowed inside. They finally modernized and take electronic payment for day passes (currently $10). No wheels inside (except for mobility devices and strollers). read more

[Coronavirus review] So I'm looking for places where one can experience the great outdoors, catch some cherry blossoms during the early spring, but not catch the virus. Hard to catch a virus from dead people, so I'm visiting our scenic cemeteries. The Congressional Cemetery is classic DC: a pristine graveyard of important historical figures with rowhouses on one site, and a jail on the other. And it's an off-leash dog park, with paid membership. Your dog can take a dump on J. Edgar Hoover's grave! (Actually, not quite because there's a small fence around it). These sorts of weird juxtapositions of the grandiose and the mundane are what this city is all about. There were a few cherry trees but not a ton; the scenery is no substitute for the national mall (which is currently closed off). I imagine a history tour would be well worth it when it's offered again. read more

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On a cold Sunday January morning, my wife and I visited the cemetery for the first time. Parking was easy with lots of unmetered spots on the the adjacent streets. There is no admission to visit and they provide maps and other literature at the entrance especially handy if you are looking for someone in particular. This place should be named the Congressional Cemetery and dog park. Dogs are welcomed here off leash and they run around and have a blast. We loved it and didn't have any issues with any of the dogs we met. We did not have a plan on what to see and just wondered around seeing who was buried here. Big and little headstones, crypts and statues everywhere. Just watch your step in the grassy areas due to the aforementioned visitors. We spent about an hour here and enjoyed it. Cross another item off our DC bucket list. read more

Congressional Cemetery - Funeral Services & Cemeteries Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Cute, enclosed cemetary that doubles as a walking/jogging and an off-leash dog park for local residents. The place is well maintained, with numerous paved paths that run the length of the cemetary. Anyone is welcome to walk the cemetary, but pet owners must be members to allow their dogs to frolick to their heart's desires. One of the cutest things about this place is that they harvest honey, which is sold as a fundraiser. The small church onsite also offers yoga and hosts other events during the year. Recommend going during daylight hours. The cemerary is still open at dusk however it is a bit difficult to see at night. There are laterns, but they are spaced out and are not that bright. The path is well paved throughout, but difficult to see when it's dark. read more

Beautiful National cemetery for delegates. Just near the river, with grassy slopes and views. Make sure you come during proper days for a leisure stroll. Rebel review: 5 read more

*Disclaimer: I'm reviewing cemeteries for the purpose of a good relaxing walk, photographic opportunities, historic and unusual markers and maybe a little ghoulish thrill here and there. I'm a Victorian Taphophile at heart. Happy Halloween Kids!* Okay...this place is Disneyworld for dogs! Any feeling of mourning is quickly chased away by any number and size of dogs zipping in and out of the monuments, barking happily, and rolling in the grass. Creating the K-9 Corps was one of the brilliant ideas of incorporating the local living in preserving the final resting place of the local dead. And it gives an air of sheer joy to this beautifully arranged patch of memorial garden. The downside...I wanted a photo of a particularly winsome small angel monument, but the view was blocked by the trashcan heaped with bags of canine poo. Scariest thing in the Cemetery, trust me! A good workout is there for the taking as well. The paths are long and winding, and traversing them in order to take in the markers of the famous and infamous will put a few miles on your Keds. Some of the paths are old and upturned, which gives parts of congressional a nice, undiscovered, abandoned feeling. For the spook factor, check out the row of family vaults past the chapel that are hidden in the berm of earth to the left. These are the things a neophyte goth kid's dreams are made of. Decay, disrepair, and just the right touch of moss, give them a wonderfully mournful feel. The array of headstones is quite impressive, though there aren't many 17th or early 18th stones, which are my favorites. The 19th c. markers are abundant and beautiful, since the cemetery was a gathering place for the heyday of the "Grand Funeral". It's also a smorgasbord of the notable DC and Political Dead, perfect for the history buff. All in all, Congressional provides a lovely, semi-garden/semi-park like space for a walk in the open air among interesting markers and very, very happy pups. Definitely worth a visit. read more

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I came here last spring for the free biannual Cultural Tourism DC walking tour, but missed the start of the tour by 15 minutes or so (fail!!) and decided to just go solo and play with some photography. The volunteers who work in the front office were very friendly and gave me a brochure with a map of the cemetery and all kinds of info on its more notable inhabitants. Although it's not a particularly large property, I managed to spend a good couple of hours wandering around exploring and had a great time. Got some fun pictures as well. It was very quiet there, despite being a warm spring day; I saw plenty of songbirds out and about, and the flowers blooming around the cemetery were beautiful. It's not overly landscaped, but nicely kept for an older cemetery, and despite the signs of community dog park use, I didn't see one pile of doggy doo (hooray!!!). It's an easy walk from either Stadium-Armory or Potomac Avenue metro and a pleasant place to spend an hour or two exploring something off the beaten path - a heck of a lot more peaceful than Arlington on most days! read more

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Its not just a cemetery, its also a dog park! Odd perhaps, butt the nation's first national resting place has long since gone private and lately pays its way thru the good offices and deep pockets of local dog owners, who pony up $100 annually to let their pooches peruse the park. John Philip Sousa, Civil War photog Matthew Brady and FBI honcho J Edgar Hoover are among the celebrity souls plying this patch of land. Its a mostly local spot, but its not uncommon for folks to drive across the city to take advantage of the fences fencing Fido in while he gets his romp on. Oh yeah and it has a totem pole. Find me another one in the city (other than at the Museum of the American Indian that is) read more

Congressional Cemetery - Funeral Services & Cemeteries Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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As a part of the volunteer group I worked in the Congressional cemetery past weekend. It is always comforting to work at the cemetery in the case they work you to death. The Congressional cemetery was founded 1807 (many decades before the Arlington Cemetery) and it is very interesting historic place to visit - off the beaten path! The large section is dedicated to 165 "cenotaphs," which honor members of Congress who died in office during the first several decades of the nation's history - Designed by first American architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe. The end of that came in 1876 when Senator argued that this tradition should be abandoned, saying that "the thought of being buried beneath one of those atrocities brought new terror to death." The DC Mayor for Life is buried there just like famous Mathew Brady, John Phillip Sousa, first commandant of the Navy Yard (Thomas Tingey) and many more. There is an LGBT section of the graveyard with Edgar Hoover being at the edge and his partner within the section, along with a gay Vietnam veteran with a message on his tomb, "When I was in the military they gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one." They have weddings there, Yoga classes, 5K runs, dog walking, free tours on Saturday. The nearby neighborhood is doing great and I found the visit to be safe. The cemetery itself is not a scary place as everybody is always more afraid of living people then dead people. It is more a place to reflect and learn. read more

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We're enjoying our first year as members of the dog walking association and it really is a great place. The grounds are fantastic - tons of grass, a little watering hole that my dogs loves to lay in on hot days, lots and lots of water stations and plenty of poop bags. I agree that it's $300 well spent ($200 for membership plus $50 a dog). That's less than $1/day and we really do go that frequently. On top of that, the other dog owners are so friendly. I can't even count how many people have made an effort to introduce themselves to me while I'm walking around. There's always plenty of close street parking too making it a manageable trip to the gates with two dogs and a stroller. read more

Congressional Cemetery - Funeral Services & Cemeteries Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Call me weird, but I have always been inspired by cemeteries and the Congressional Cemetery is the very best in DC. The history it brings is fascinating and their are many DC famous people buried here. In addition, it's a great place to walk around and see the city. It's on a hill so there are some good views of Capitol Hill and Anacostia. There's a small church in the center of the cemetery and they have an organ player come every Sunday to play for the public in the afternoon for free. One interesting thing about this cemetery is that it's a dog park too. Capitol Hill residents can pay an annual fee to walk their dogs there. As you stroll, beware of dogs. If you love dogs like I do, this is icing on the cake! read more

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Is it a park, dog heaven, or is it Cemetery? I saw a range of beautiful gravestones and mausoleums going back to the colonial war, a kids birthday party, with balloons, weekend strollers, musicians, and dog friendly rolling hills full of old Masons, dead congressmen, soldiers and J. Edgar right next to his faithful assistant. It's kind of a multipurpose cemetery, and there are still spots open. Bring your gravestone Decrypter. All the graves have historic hidden symbolism and emblems. read more

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For a place full of dead people, there is a lot of life here. If you are a history buff, don't miss a docent lead tour. There are various tours from brewers to spies to local and national luminaries. In October there is a series of "Soul Strolls" where actors play the parts and give wonderful insights to the residents below. read more

It might seem weird to rate a cemetery, but Congressional is more like a cultural center- not just a place to bury the dead. I've been here for during the day for tours and Day of the Dog. recently I attended the Soul Strolls- it was awesome! I love learning about history and it was so fun to learn about interesting DC residents with a spooky twist. Plus it was super cool to have drinks in the chapel and the crypt. Definitely a one of a kind place in the city. read more

Congressional Cemetery - Funeral Services & Cemeteries Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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It's the dog mecca of DC... but its a private club that as a multi-year wait-list, so you have to be patient (sign-up is on their web site). The grounds are great - grass, instead of the harsh gravel used by most of the other dog parks in the city, several doggy water fountains, and plenty of poop bags. There are even some squrriels who are brave enough to enter the park filled with off-leashed dogs; it's one of the few times I get to see Emma The Wonder Dog run full speed! Parking is easy. The only downside is they have put strict limits on the number of dogs per person, which means Emma can't bring all of her friends along. read more

I, too, enjoy Congressional (and other DC old skool Cemeteries) for their contemplative nature, and the often stunning beauty of the headstones. I have to say I have mixed feelings about the dog thing-though I love dogs. It sometimes smacks of arrogance and inconsideration. After all, the young, vibrant "urban pioneers" who pay for this service aren't ever going to have to -let us say-abandon the material plane, are they? read more

Great story about a park filled with history which fell into disrepair until the community took action to form a dog park where man's best friend could pee all over the illustrious representatives of this country. Quite an incredible demonstration of the power of community based actions. Apparently this park has turned itself around from being a shady part of town, and transformed into a safer neighborhood where 5Ks are hosted throughout the cemetery. Come for a weekend tour (the guides are extremely knowledgeable), or use the fantastic cell phone informational hotline provided through the park. If you have a smartphone, Wikipedia has already installed QR codes at the gravesites to help you read up on the celebrities buried there. Other notes: Hilarious to see Clay buried right next to Calhoun (although the tour guide said that 60% of the congressional gravestones were just place markers and that the remains were somewhere else). Of the people actually buried here some of the headliners include J. Edgar Hoover, John Philip Souza, and Tobias Lear. Definitely a fun stop for a local looking for new things to see and do. read more

This is a interesting graveyard to walk around in and explore. Some of the graves that You can see are the ones belonging to J. Edgar Hoover, Matthew Brady and John Philip Sousa. There is also a september 11 memorial as well. :) read more

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Breathe deep the gathering gloom, Watch lights fade from every tomb. Dogsitter people look back and lament, Another day's useless energy spent. Impassioned doggies wrestle as one, Lonely man cries for love and has none. New mother pushes stroller with her son, Senior citizens wish they were young. Cold hearted orb that rules the night, Removes the colours from our sight. Red is grey and yellow white. But we decide which is right. And which is an illusion? Holy Shit, I don't want to die. But, if I do, bury me in the Congressional Cemetery - in an unmarked grave. Make it shallow, so that I can feel the rain. Home to such luminaries as John Phillip Sousa and the remains of some crazy British guy who was shot and killed by the British when they invaded in 1814 because he was slandering the HELL out of them (hooray!). Congressional Cemetery is the raddest "rural" cemetery of them all - Arlington ain't nothing but a busted-ass hill... Watch for interesting events, and NOT just on Halloween. read more

Isn't it a shame that dead people can't write yelp reviews? Then we could get some first-hand feedback. It might be a good place to walk your dog but I would be wary about buying a plot there. When I did a few years ago, the Cemetery Manager appeared not to know how to read. Seriously. He was signing the contract in the wrong place and when I pointed it out to him, he didn't seem to get it. It was weird, because the places were labeled as clear as day. The man finally "humored" me by signing in the right place. I bet he had signed dozens of contracts the wrong way; I wonder if he kept doing it afterwards. More seriously, the man sold me a plot that was already occupied. (Maybe the fact that he kept showing me plots that already had stones on them should have been a clue that the guy didn't have the slightest idea what was going on?) When I discovered the mistake several months after the sale had been completed, I asked for my money back. It was returned but not graciously. What really ticked me off is that the Executive Director didn't show the slightest bit of interest in the fact that something had gone wrong with the sale. In fact, she was incredibly rude to me. I'm not too particular about what happens to me when I'm gone but I'd just as well not get treated badly while I'm still here. read more

Don't get me wrong! I'm grateful for the dog walkers who helped rescue this cemetery from ruin and who continue to support the preservation efforts with their dues. I love to visit and commune with my ancestors. As a sixth generation Washingtonian, I'm related to at least 100 people who are buried there, going back to before the Civil War. Heck, I may even own a plot there without knowing it by rights of inheritance. But, I've been to several events there, paid and free (for example: Souzapalooza, Meet and Bleat). When you tell the staff and the K-9 corps folks that you are there to support the cemetery because of its deep associations with your family, they just look right through you because you haven't shown up with a dog or you're not related to one of the famous "residents" buried there. It would be nice if the cemetery could better honor and acknowledge the ordinary DC residents who supported it through the years with their patronage. It seems like if you're not a Capitol Hill resident with a dog, you're not always wanted. read more

Congressional Cemetery is an absolute gem for dog owners in the eastern part of the city. It is wide open, fenced in space, full of exploration potential and a sense of safety for your fur child not found anywhere else. The history of the space is also spectacular, wonder effigies and many famous burials. It is beautifully maintained and very well loved by all who visit. read more

Sure. Why not. If you have been in DC as long as I have (3 years) and have seen it all (so I thought), why not take a look at something like this. It is somewhat tucked away (as much as something can be west of the River) between Stadium Armory and Potomac Ave metro. It is a nice walk here and you can find many gems within this huge cemetery. Pretty statues, huge trees and tons of dogs. As nice as a cemetary can possibly be, I would recommend. read more

My husband and I got married in the chapel here and it was the most stress free- experience of my life! The staff is wonderful, knowledgeable and very acommodating. As far as the actual cemetery itself, the grounds are beautiful and there is a very peaceful, serene sensation all through the property, as though the "residents" are happy to have visitors. The history of Congressional Cemetery is a reason by itself to stop in for a stroll. I was especially excited to learn a week after the wedding that I have great grandparents buried there! read more

We took our dogs here yesterday for the first time - it is beautiful, and full of lots of friendly dogs and people. Great place to go. HOWEVER to take your dog there you need to pay a $250 annual membership fee... we didn't know this going in and were stopped and told by a volunteer on our way out... oops. Too rich for our blood but a great place for people and their dogs to hang out. read more

Their dog walking program seems to help with the maintenance and keep the cemetery relevant. The staff here is great! We were looking for an ancestor and they were great at providing information and mapping out where we needed to go. It's also a beautiful cemetery and everyone we came into contact with was nice. read more

For a cemetery, it was interesting to see some of the famous people buried there. There was a walkway of trees planted as a memorial to those who lost their lives on 9/11 and can't hear the whisper of trees any longer. While I am not a member of the preservation society for the cemetery, I did read they allow dog walking inside, which is a large and quiet area, of course. Some of the headstones were quite elaborate and interesting. read more

Congressional Cemetery - John Philip Sousa's grave - Funeral Services & Cemeteries Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

First off, I'm on the board of directors of Congressional Cemetery - just to be upfront. It's a great historic treasure for DC in many ways. If you're into genealogy it doesn't get better than our web site and office archives. If you're into history we have more than you can imagine: the builders of Washington, the Civil War, architects, Native American diplomats, musicians, war heroes, and civil rights pioneers. Trees & gardens: join our volunteers to help restore the grounds. Conservation, well we're making great strides there in fixing gravestones and vaults. We do have a dogwalking program although we don't use the term 'dog park.' Unfortunately we are at capacity for handling the impact of the dogs on the grounds and can't accept any more dogwalking memberships. It's a great place to visit, please join one of our Saturday tours at 11:00 AM. PS, it was never a government facility, has always been private property. read more

we love the Congressional Cemetery! we come out for a lot of the events and they are all wonderful, especially Cinemetary. its great to able to enjoy this unique and serene place, and people are respectful of those buried there. this past weekend, we attended their "Soul Strolls" ghost tour, and it was by far the best ghost tour ive ever attended! (they turned their vault into a speakeasy, people!) they do such a nice job putting on events for the DC community, and its always a great time in a beautiful (and spooky) setting. read more

I love this place for my dogs. We are members of the association, and for those of you who bitch about the high fees, do the math. $250 a year / 12 months = a little more than $20 a month... for unlimited walks in a huge cemetery with gorgeous landscaping and poop bags provided? I think that's cheap personally. read more

I have spent hundreds of hours at Congressional over a lifetime. Dozens of my relatives are resting there. Their stories are the history of my family for six generations. BURDINE, WARD, BEYER, OBER, MORGAN, DUVALL, DUNNINGTON, FLETCHER and others find eternal rest within its confines. Back in the early 1970s and before it was a neglected, weed choked mess with an ever expanding number of vandalized headstones, looted vaults with skeletal remains strewn about the floors, alcohol bottles and drug paraphernalia littering the grounds. The improvements since those days are overwhelmingly good. In 1981 my dad and I strolled around the grounds so I would be able to know where he should be laid to rest. He pointed out the many family graves and spoke in a reverent tone about how much Congressional Cemetery meant to him. He was buried there less than a year afterwards. My mother joined him only three year later. I'm not sure I like the "totem" but the dogs are great and whenever I'm there their owners seem happy and respectful. The grounds are better every year. I travel over a hundred miles to Washington now but still stop several times a year to my must see spot in DC. read more