Mount Vernon near Alexandria in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Slave Memorial

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 13, 2018

1. Slave Memorial Marker

Inscription. In 1929, the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association placed a marker noting the location of the slave cemetery, believed to be the first commemoration of its kind at a historic site. Despite this recognition, the burial ground lay unattended for decades, until a group of citizens began a concerted effort to honor the enslaved people buried here. In 1983, Mount Vernon dedicated a new memorial, which was designed by architecture students at Howard University. It is a lasting tribute to the memory of those individuals who lived and toiled in bondage here.

Approaching Slave Memorial
Quiet please and remain on gravel path

Topics and series. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1929.

Location. 38° 42.383′ N, 77° 5.346′ W. Marker is near Alexandria, Virginia, in Fairfax County. It is in Mount Vernon. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Mount Vernon Memorial Highway (Virginia Route 235) and Mount Vernon Memorial Parkway. This marker is on the grounds of George Washington's Mount Vernon. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Alexandria VA 22309, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. In Memory of the Many Faithful Colored Servants of the Washington Family (within shouting distance of this marker); Mount Vernon's Slave Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Slave Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Slavery at Mount Vernon (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Slavery at Mount Vernon (within shouting distance of this marker); Forest (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Nursery Beds (about 400 feet away); Seed Beds (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 13, 2018

2. Slave Memorial Marker

Colored Servants Memorial<br>1929 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 5, 2011

3. Colored Servants Memorial
1929

In Memory
of the
Many Faithful
Colored Servants
of the
Washington Family
Buried at
Mount Vernon
From
1760 to 1860
Their
Unidentified Graves
Surround This Spot
1929

Enslaved Afro American Memorial<br>1983 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 13, 2018

4. Enslaved Afro American Memorial
1983

In Memory of
The Afro Americans
Who Served as Slaves
at Mount Vernon
This Monument marking their
Burial Ground
Dedicated
September 21, 1983
Mount Vernon
Ladies' Association

Two Memorials image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 13, 2018

5. Two Memorials

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 284 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 17, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.