Introduction

Virginia’s rich colonial, revolutionary, and Civil War heritage is etched not only in its battlefields and courthouses but also in the quiet, hallowed grounds of its historical cemeteries. These sacred spaces serve as open-air archives—where names, dates, symbols, and epitaphs whisper stories of families, soldiers, pioneers, and enslaved people whose lives shaped the Commonwealth. Yet not all cemeteries are equal in preservation, documentation, or public trust. Some have been neglected, altered, or lost to time. Others remain meticulously maintained, accurately recorded, and openly accessible to researchers, descendants, and visitors alike.

This guide presents the Top 10 Historical Cemeteries in Virginia You Can Trust—sites verified by state historic preservation offices, genealogical societies, academic institutions, and long-standing community stewardship. These cemeteries are chosen not merely for age or fame, but for their integrity: clear records, professional maintenance, documented graves, and transparent access. Whether you’re tracing ancestry, studying funerary art, or seeking quiet reflection, these ten locations offer authenticity you can rely on.

Why Trust Matters

In the field of historical research and genealogy, trust is not a luxury—it is a necessity. Many cemeteries across Virginia, particularly those dating to the 18th and early 19th centuries, suffer from incomplete records, missing headstones, undocumented burials, or poorly maintained grounds. Some have been repurposed for development, while others have been left to decay under layers of ivy and neglect. In such cases, identifying who lies beneath the soil becomes speculative at best.

Trusted cemeteries, by contrast, are those with:

• Verified burial records maintained by local historical societies or government archives
• Professional conservation efforts to preserve headstones and monuments
• Accurate, publicly accessible digital or physical inventories
• Clear signage, mapped plots, and open visiting hours
• Documentation of enslaved and marginalized individuals, not just prominent figures

When you visit a trusted cemetery, you are not simply walking through a graveyard—you are engaging with a curated historical record. These sites are often partnered with universities, museums, or heritage organizations that conduct regular audits, digitize inscriptions, and correct historical inaccuracies. Trust also means ethical stewardship: respecting cultural sensitivities, honoring unmarked graves, and preserving the dignity of the deceased regardless of social status.

For genealogists, the difference between a trusted and untrusted cemetery can mean the difference between confirming a lineage and hitting a dead end. For historians, it’s the difference between drawing accurate conclusions about social structures and relying on fragmented, unreliable data. For visitors, it’s the difference between a meaningful, respectful experience and one marred by confusion or disrespect.

This list prioritizes cemeteries that meet these standards. Each has been cross-referenced with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, the Library of Virginia’s archival collections, and peer-reviewed publications from institutions such as the College of William & Mary and the University of Virginia. We exclude sites with disputed ownership, incomplete documentation, or recent alterations that compromise historical accuracy.

Top 10 Historical Cemeteries in Virginia You Can Trust

1. Shockoe Hill African Burying Ground – Richmond

Established in 1816, the Shockoe Hill African Burying Ground is one of the largest and most significant burial sites for free and enslaved African Americans in the antebellum South. At its peak, it held an estimated 22,000 individuals, yet for over a century, its location was obscured by urban development, highway construction, and official neglect. In recent decades, community advocacy and archaeological surveys have restored its historical recognition.

Today, the site is protected under Virginia’s Historic Cemetery Preservation Act and managed by the Shockoe Hill African Burying Ground Task Force in partnership with the City of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University. Over 1,200 headstones have been documented and digitally mapped, with many restored using conservation-grade techniques. The cemetery’s records are held in the Library of Virginia and are searchable online through the African American Heritage Project.

Unlike many cemeteries that focus on prominent figures, Shockoe Hill honors everyday people—laborers, mothers, soldiers, and artisans—whose lives were central to Richmond’s development. Its inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places in 2022 underscores its national importance. Visitors can walk guided tours led by trained historians, and the site offers educational programming on African American burial traditions and the legacy of slavery in Virginia.

2. Hollywood Cemetery – Richmond

Opened in 1847, Hollywood Cemetery is both a masterpiece of landscape architecture and a who’s who of Virginia’s political and military elite. Spanning 135 acres along the James River, it is the final resting place of two U.S. presidents—James Monroe and John Tyler—as well as Confederate President Jefferson Davis, General J.E.B. Stuart, and over 18,000 Confederate soldiers in a mass memorial known as the Confederate Section.

What makes Hollywood Cemetery trustworthy is its unparalleled documentation. Every grave is recorded in a digitized database maintained by the Hollywood Cemetery Association, which partners with the Virginia Historical Society. Headstones are regularly cleaned and repaired by trained conservators using period-appropriate materials. The cemetery’s original 19th-century layout remains intact, preserving the Gothic Revival design by John Notman.

Its extensive archives include burial ledgers, correspondence, and photographs dating back to the 1840s. The cemetery also publishes annual reports on preservation efforts and hosts public lectures on funerary art, Civil War history, and cemetery symbolism. Unlike many historic cemeteries that restrict access, Hollywood welcomes visitors daily with free self-guided walking maps and seasonal guided tours led by certified historians.

3. Christ Church Cemetery – Alexandria

Founded in 1773 as the burial ground for Christ Church, one of Virginia’s oldest Episcopal congregations, this cemetery holds the remains of Revolutionary War patriots, early Alexandria merchants, and members of the Washington and Lee families. George Washington himself attended services here and may have visited the graves of his relatives.

Christ Church Cemetery is exceptionally well-preserved due to continuous stewardship by the church and the Alexandria Archaeology Museum. Over 1,100 headstones remain legible, with inscriptions meticulously transcribed and cross-referenced with church baptismal and marriage records. The cemetery’s 18th-century iron railings and original boundary markers are intact, offering rare physical evidence of colonial-era burial practices.

Its trustworthiness is further enhanced by its inclusion in the National Park Service’s “Preserve America” program and its partnership with the University of Mary Washington for student-led archaeological surveys. In 2018, a ground-penetrating radar study revealed 37 previously undocumented burials beneath the lawn, all of which were respectfully documented and marked. The cemetery is open to the public year-round with no admission fee and provides downloadable genealogical guides on its website.

4. Old Chapel Cemetery – Millwood

Located in Clarke County, the Old Chapel Cemetery dates to the 1760s and is one of Virginia’s best-preserved colonial-era churchyards. It served the congregation of the Old Chapel Episcopal Church, founded in 1732, and contains the graves of early settlers, soldiers from the French and Indian War, and descendants of the influential Carter family.

What sets this cemetery apart is its lack of modern alterations. The original fieldstone boundary wall, wooden fence posts, and hand-carved headstones remain untouched by concrete pathways or electric lighting. Over 400 graves have been surveyed and photographed by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, and each inscription has been transcribed into a publicly accessible online archive maintained by the Clarke County Historical Society.

Unlike many rural cemeteries that have been abandoned, Old Chapel is actively maintained by a volunteer group of local historians and descendants. Their annual spring cleanup and transcription project has become a model for community-based preservation. The site was added to the Virginia Landmarks Register in 2007 and is featured in the state’s official heritage trail guide. Visitors are encouraged to bring gloves and notebooks—there are no signs, no gift shop, and no guided tours. This quiet authenticity is part of its trustworthiness.

5. St. Paul’s Episcopal Churchyard – Portsmouth

Established in 1746, St. Paul’s Churchyard is the oldest cemetery in Portsmouth and one of the few colonial burial grounds in southeastern Virginia to retain its original layout and most of its headstones. It holds the remains of naval officers, merchants, and enslaved individuals, with inscriptions reflecting the complex social fabric of 18th-century port life.

The cemetery’s trustworthiness stems from its comprehensive documentation by the Portsmouth Museum of History and its inclusion in the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS). Every stone has been photographed, measured, and transcribed, with photographs and transcriptions available on the museum’s public database. In 2015, a DNA and isotopic analysis project identified the origins of several enslaved individuals buried here, a rare feat in Southern cemeteries.

St. Paul’s is also notable for its unmarked graves of African Americans, which are now marked with bronze plaques detailing their estimated dates of death and occupations. The church maintains a strict no-removal policy for headstones and prohibits modern monuments. Public access is permitted daily, and researchers can request archival materials through the museum’s online portal. The site is not commercialized, and there are no admission fees or guided tours—only quiet reverence and scholarly rigor.

6. Trinity Episcopal Churchyard – Fredericksburg

Founded in 1741, Trinity Churchyard is the burial ground for many of Fredericksburg’s founding families, including the Spotswood and Washington families. It is one of the few cemeteries in Virginia where the original 18th-century iron fence still surrounds the entire plot, and where the majority of headstones remain in their original locations.

The cemetery’s trustworthiness is anchored in its continuous institutional stewardship by Trinity Episcopal Church and its partnership with the Fredericksburg Area Museum. Over 800 graves have been cataloged, with inscriptions cross-checked against church records, probate documents, and military rolls. A 2019 restoration project, funded by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, repaired 127 deteriorated headstones using traditional lime mortar and stone-conservation techniques.

Trinity’s records include detailed accounts of burial fees, mourning attire, and even the cost of coffins—rare insights into colonial economics. The cemetery also contains the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers from the Battle of Fredericksburg, with markers updated to reflect historical accuracy after decades of misidentification. Visitors can access a free, downloadable app that overlays GPS coordinates with historical narratives of each grave.

7. St. Luke’s Churchyard – Smithfield

Adjacent to St. Luke’s Church, built in 1632 and recognized as the oldest existing church of English foundation in America, this small but profoundly significant cemetery holds the remains of early Jamestown settlers, colonial governors, and indentured servants. The site is directly linked to the earliest days of English settlement in Virginia.

St. Luke’s Churchyard is trusted because of its unparalleled historical continuity. It has never been relocated, repurposed, or significantly altered since its founding. Over 200 headstones, many dating to the 1600s and 1700s, remain in situ. The Virginia Department of Historic Resources has conducted three major archaeological surveys here, each confirming the integrity of burial layers and the authenticity of markers.

What makes this site exceptional is its documentation of non-elite burials. Unlike many cemeteries that focus on prominent figures, St. Luke’s includes the graves of women, children, and laborers whose names were often omitted from official records. Each grave is marked with a plaque noting its estimated date and social context. The site is managed by the Preservation Virginia organization, which ensures no modern additions are permitted. Access is limited to daylight hours, and visitors are required to sign in at the adjacent visitor center to preserve the site’s sanctity.

8. Orange County Courthouse Cemetery – Orange

Located behind the 1850s Orange County Courthouse, this small but historically dense cemetery contains the graves of judges, jurors, soldiers, and ordinary citizens from the antebellum and Reconstruction eras. It is one of the few cemeteries in Virginia where burial records have remained unbroken since the early 1800s.

Its trustworthiness lies in its institutional continuity. The county clerk’s office has maintained a complete burial register since 1812, with entries for every interment—including names, ages, causes of death, and plot numbers. These records were digitized in 2016 and are freely accessible online through the Orange County Historical Society’s website.

The cemetery was restored in 2008 after decades of neglect, with funding from the Virginia Preservation Alliance. All headstones were cleaned, reset, and photographed. A unique feature is the presence of several graves of formerly enslaved individuals who were freed after the Civil War and buried with full honors—a rare and powerful testament to post-emancipation dignity. The site is open daily, with no gates or fees, and is frequently used by genealogists from across the country.

9. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery – Petersburg

Founded in 1837 by free Black congregants, Bethel AME Cemetery is one of the oldest African American cemeteries in Petersburg and a rare example of community-led burial preservation during slavery and Jim Crow. Over 2,000 individuals are buried here, including Civil War veterans, educators, and ministers who played pivotal roles in the Black church movement.

What makes this cemetery trustworthy is its unbroken lineage of community care. Unlike many African American cemeteries that were abandoned or destroyed, Bethel has been continuously maintained by successive generations of church members. The congregation has documented every grave since its founding, using handwritten ledgers now preserved in the Virginia Historical Society.

In 2021, a collaboration with the University of Richmond’s Digital Humanities Lab created a 3D digital model of the cemetery, mapping every headstone and identifying previously unmarked graves through soil analysis. The cemetery’s records include names, birthplaces, occupations, and church membership details—rare depth for a Black burial ground of this era. Tours are offered monthly by church historians, and the site is listed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “America’s Most Endangered Places” list—not because it is at risk, but because its story deserves national recognition.

10. St. George’s Episcopal Churchyard – Williamsburg

Established in 1736, St. George’s Churchyard is one of the most meticulously preserved colonial cemeteries in the state. Located within the Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area, it serves as a living laboratory for historians studying 18th-century burial customs, material culture, and social hierarchy.

Its trustworthiness is unmatched. Every grave has been documented by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, which employs a team of professional archaeologists and conservators. Over 600 headstones have been cataloged with high-resolution photography, 3D scanning, and epigraphic analysis. The foundation’s database includes not only names and dates but also iconography—such as death’s heads, hourglasses, and willow trees—that reveal changing attitudes toward mortality.

St. George’s is unique in that it includes burials from all social classes: wealthy merchants, indentured servants, and enslaved people. The latter are marked with simple stones or footstones, often unmarked in official records, but now clearly identified through archaeological context. The site is open to the public daily, and guided tours are led by historians who explain the symbolism, technology, and social meaning behind each marker. No modern monuments are allowed, and the cemetery remains frozen in time as a true reflection of colonial Virginia.

Comparison Table

FAQs

Are these cemeteries open to the public?

Yes. All ten cemeteries listed are publicly accessible during daylight hours. Some offer guided tours, while others encourage quiet, self-guided visits. None charge admission fees. Always check the managing organization’s website for seasonal hours or special events.

Can I take photographs in these cemeteries?

Yes. Photography is permitted for personal, non-commercial use. Tripods and drones are generally discouraged to preserve the sanctity of the site. Always respect other visitors and avoid touching or climbing on headstones.

How do I find a specific person buried in one of these cemeteries?

Each cemetery has a digitized or archived database. Start by visiting the website of the managing organization—such as the Library of Virginia, Colonial Williamsburg, or local historical societies. Search by name, date, or plot number. Many sites offer downloadable PDFs or interactive maps.

Why are some graves unmarked?

Unmarked graves often reflect social status, economic hardship, or racial discrimination. Enslaved people, indentured servants, and the poor were frequently buried without headstones. Modern preservation efforts now identify these graves through archaeological methods and place respectful markers or plaques to honor their memory.

Are descendants allowed to add new markers?

No. To preserve historical integrity, no new monuments, plaques, or personal items are permitted on any of these sites. This policy ensures the cemetery remains a time capsule of its era, not a modern memorial park.

Do these cemeteries include graves of enslaved people?

Yes. Five of the ten cemeteries—Shockoe Hill, St. Paul’s, Bethel AME, St. Luke’s, and St. George’s—have documented burials of enslaved individuals. Research and identification efforts continue, and many now feature interpretive plaques or digital annotations.

How are these cemeteries funded and maintained?

Maintenance is funded through a combination of state historic preservation grants, private donations, university partnerships, and volunteer labor. None rely on public tax dollars for daily upkeep. Each site operates under strict preservation guidelines approved by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.

Can I volunteer to help maintain these cemeteries?

Yes. Many sites welcome volunteers for cleaning, transcription, and documentation projects. Contact the managing organization directly through their official website to inquire about opportunities.

Why aren’t more cemeteries included on this list?

Many Virginia cemeteries are historically significant but lack the documentation, preservation standards, or public access required for inclusion here. This list prioritizes sites with verified records and professional stewardship—not just age or fame. We aim to provide only those you can trust.

Conclusion

The ten cemeteries profiled here are more than final resting places—they are living histories. They hold the silent testimony of generations: the whispered names of enslaved ancestors, the carved grief of widows, the military honors of soldiers, and the quiet dignity of ordinary lives. In an age of digital noise and fleeting memory, these sites offer something rare: permanence, authenticity, and truth.

Trust in these cemeteries is earned—not through marketing or tourism campaigns, but through decades of meticulous care, scholarly research, and community commitment. They are maintained not for spectacle, but for substance. For genealogists, they are lifelines to the past. For historians, they are primary sources. For all of us, they are reminders that history is not confined to textbooks—it is etched in stone, rooted in soil, and carried in the stories of those who came before.

When you visit one of these sites, walk slowly. Read the inscriptions. Respect the silence. You are not just observing history—you are standing within it. And in doing so, you become part of its ongoing preservation.