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

Archaeology of the African-American Burial Ground

— George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate —

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 9, 2025

1. Archaeology of the African-American Burial Ground Marker

Inscription. Mount Vernon archaeologists began a long-term survey of the African-American Burial Ground in 2014. Guided by Ground-Penetrating Radar and careful excavation techniques, the locations of over 80 individual graves have been rediscovered and temporarily marked with white outlines. Human remains are not disturbed during the process. The graves are aligned in neat rows on east-west orientations and in groupings that likely represent family networks that extended across each of Mount Vernon's five farms. The archaeology indicates that the burial ground was in use during Washington's lifetime and for several generations after.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Anthropology & Archaeology • Cemeteries & Burial Sites.

Location. 38° 42.385′ N, 77° 5.349′ W. Marker is in Mount Vernon, Virginia, in Fairfax County. It is in Engleside. It can be reached from the intersection of Mount Vernon Memorial Highway (Virginia Route 235) and George Washington Memorial Parkway ( Route 235), on the right when traveling east. Located on the

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grounds of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate at the African American Burial Ground. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon VA 22121, 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: African-American Burial Ground (here, next to this marker); Slave Memorial (here, next to this marker); Who Lies Buried Here? (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory of the Many Faithful Colored Servants of the Washington Family (within shouting distance of this marker);

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 9, 2025

2. Archaeology of the African-American Burial Ground Marker

Mount Vernon's Slave Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Slavery at Mount Vernon (within shouting distance of this marker); Slave Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Slavery at Mount Vernon (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mount Vernon.

Also see . . .
1. Slave Memorial & African American Burial Ground Survey | George Washington’s Mount Vernon. (Submitted on August 18, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Why is Archaeology at the African American Burial Ground So Important. (Submitted on August 18, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 97 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 18, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.