Notice is given that the City of Alexandria, 301 King Street, Alexandria, Virginia, 22314, is applying to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) to obtain a Permit for the Archaeological Excavation of Human Burials in order to lawfully disinter human remains if encountered during construction of stormwater infrastructure located within Douglass Memorial Cemetery, at 1421 Wilkes Street, in Alexandria, Virginia, 22314.

Pursuant to the requirements of VA Code §10.1-2305, the applicant is applying for a burial permit through DHR in advance of the stormwater construction project at Douglass Memorial Cemetery. Previous archaeological testing suggests that intact burials will not be impacted by this work. However, because this is a historic cemetery with unmarked burials, the City of Alexandria is proactively seeking a burial permit so that there is a clear and transparent process in place in the unlikely event that an intact burial or human remains or funerary objects are encountered during construction and cannot be avoided. In the unlikely event that intact burials are found during archaeological monitoring of construction and cannot be avoided, the permit would allow for archaeological excavation and relocation of intact burials. Any exhumed human remains, and funerary objects will be temporarily curated at the Alexandria Archaeology Collections Storage Repository at the City of Alexandria Archives and Records Center in Alexandria, Virginia. The human remains and funerary objects would be respectfully reburied within Douglass Memorial Cemetery within the City of Alexandria, unless otherwise requested by interested parties. The Douglass Cemetery Descendant Advisory Group would be advised of and included in the determination of treatment and reburial of any human remains or funerary goods.   

The public is invited to contact the City of Alexandria, Office of Historic Alexandria, to request additional information or to comment on the application. Copies of the application to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources will be available for public review at the Alexandria Archaeology Museum, located on the 3rd floor of the Torpedo Factory at 105 North Union Street, #327, Alexandria, VA. Additionally, a copy of the application will be available from the Department of Historic Resources in Richmond, Virginia and can be provided by the City of Alexandria, Office of Historic Alexandria upon request.

Comments or questions on this project should be made in writing, and must be received by
Friday, November 28, 2025, to applicant’s agent or to the DHR representative, listed below:

Eleanor Breen, PhD, RPA
City Archaeologist
City of Alexandria, Virginia
Office of Historic Alexandria/Alexandria Archaeology
105 N. Union Street, #327
Alexandria, VA 22314
Email: eleanor.breen@alexandriava.gov
Phone: 703.746.4399

Joanna Wilson Green, Archaeologist-Cemetery Preservation
Virginia Department of Historic Resources
2801 Kensington Avenue
Richmond VA 23221
Email: joanna.wilson@dhr.virginia.gov
Phone: 804.482.6098

Comments regarding this permit application can also be made during a Public Meeting to be held on Thursday, October 29, 2025, from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM local time at the Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington St., Alexandria, Virginia, 22314.