Tag Archives: Congressional Cemetery

Oh angel, why so sad?

I love statues in cemeteries. Angels intrigued me, especially when memorializing someone forever. Richard Rothwell and his wife Emma lie beneath a sighing angel in Congressional Cemetery. Rothwell was once paid by Congress for creating 20 centographs that remember late … Continue reading

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The curious cube of Congressional Cemetery

The black cube in Congressional Cemetery curiously placed at an angle will make you stop. The graves of Charles Fowler and Kenneth Dresser are marked with a cube just 50 yards on the right once entering the gate. Fowler was … Continue reading

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The Hall family and the angel

Mary Ann Hall was a popular madam in Washington, running a bordello where the American Indian Museum now stands. It was said to be the classiest one in Washington during the Civil War. Mary Ann and a sister are buried … Continue reading

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Congressional is still the cemetery for Congress

Congressional Cemetery was once a happening place for U.S. Senators or Congressmen to spend their eternal years. Eighty were buried there until 1870 when the sandstone centographs were deemed ugly. So the black marble stone of Stephen Joshua Solarz near … Continue reading

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Cenotaphs define Congressional Cemetery

They hit you right away. Amid the acres of graves, the rows of cenotaphs made me say, “What the . . . “ (And shame on you with dirty minds even if you guessed right.) Congressional Cemetery has 168 nearly … Continue reading

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Remembering the life of a child

The death of a child is certainly heartbreaking. It often makes for interesting memorials. Alice May Parker died in 1861 at age 12 of typhoid fever. At Congressional Cemetery, a praying angel the size of a child prays over her … Continue reading

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Visiting Congressional Cemetery

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Congressional Cemetery

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The general of them all – Alexander Macomb

It’s not often you’ll see a monument with Greek, Roman and Egyptian markings, but Gen. Alexander Macomb’s 14-foot marker at Congressional Cemetery has them all. The general is surrounded by four lions paws. A sword for his military career, cross … Continue reading

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J. Edgar Hoover – The G-Man of Congressional Cemetery

Perhaps the most feared man by criminals and Congressmen alike is buried behind bars. J. Edgar Hoover once headed the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) from 1924-77. Indeed, his name in on the building along Pennsylvania Ave. The nation’s top … Continue reading

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Strike up the band for John Philip Sousa

You may not know the man, but you know his music. John Philip Sousa was known as “The March King” for his snappy marching music like “The Stars and Stripes Forever (official march of the U.S.) and “The Semper Fidelis” … Continue reading

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Mayor Smallwood at Congressional Cemetery

The old simple stones near the entrance of Congressional Cemetery mark one of the early prominent families of Washington who made the graveyard possible. Samuel Nicholas Smallwood was twice mayor of Washington from 1819-22 and 1824 when dying in office. … Continue reading

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Final salute for the Sergeant at Arms

The simple white marker surrounded by a small black metal fence shows someone special lies below in the center of Congressional Cemetery. Montjoy Bayly was more than a captain in the 7th regiment of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary … Continue reading

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Congressional Cemetery: an overlooked jewel

After driving past Congressional Cemetery countless times, I finally decided to tour it. Maybe it was the abundant street parking that convinced me, but what a jewel I’ve been missing. The 35-acre cemetery on Capitol Hill was established in 1807 … Continue reading

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Wordless Wednesday: Henry Clay at Congressional Cemetery

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Wordless Wednesday: Revolutionary War marker at Congressional Cemetery

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