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

African-American Burial Ground

— George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate —

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 9, 2025

1. African-American Burial Ground Marker

Inscription.
"Near [George Washington's] tomb you see the burying place Of his slaves containing 150 graves." — Caroline Moore, Visitor to Mount Vernon, 30 April 1833

At least 577 enslaved people lived and worked at Mount Vernon during Washington's residence from 1754 to 1799. At that time, individuals were purchased and sold, children were born, and people died. Contemporary letters documenting the location and burial practices of those enslaved at Mount Vernon are currently unknown. Letters from visitors to Mount Vernon from the 1830s and oral traditions of descendants' families mark this ridge as the final resting place for between 100 and 150 individuals.

Approaching Burial Ground
Quiet, please, and remain on the gravel path.

Erected by George Washington’s Mount Vernon.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Colonial Era. A significant historical year for this entry is 1754.

Location. 38° 42.388′ 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

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Vernon Memorial Highway (Virginia Route 235) and George Washington Memorial Parkway, on the right when traveling east. Located on the 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: Archaeology of the African-American Burial Ground (here, next to this marker); Slave Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Who Lies Buried Here? (within

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 9, 2025

2. African-American Burial Ground Marker

shouting distance of this marker); Slavery at Mount Vernon (within shouting 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); Forest (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mount Vernon.

Also see . . .
1. Hallowed Ground, Sacred Space: The African-American Cemetery at George Washington’s Mount Vernon and. (Submitted on August 19, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Enslaved Community at Mount Vernon. (Submitted on August 19, 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 19, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 98 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 19, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.