Southwest Quadrant in Alexandria, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Douglass Cemetery
circa, 1827
The Douglass Cemetery Association was founded in 1895 as a non-denominational, segregated cemetery for Alexandria's African American community. The Douglass Cemetery is named in memory of Frederick Douglass, who was an American abolitionist, writer, statesman, orator and former slave who worked to improve the lives of African Americans during his lifetime. Hundreds of African Americans were buried in this cemetery while it was in operation between 1896 and 1975.
Frederick Douglass
Erected 2019.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1895.
Location. 38° 48.096′ N, 77° 3.363′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia. It is in the Southwest Quadrant. It is on Wilkes Street 0.1 miles west of South Payne Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1421 Wilkes Street, Alexandria VA 22314, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bethel Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Courtesy of Bethel Cemetery, Est. 1885 (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named
this page online
Also see . . . Boy Scout gets troop to help restore historic black cemetery. (Submitted on October 5, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 744 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 5, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
