For Immediate Release: May 30, 2023

Douglass Cemetery Drainage and Preservation Updates

Monday June 12, 2023 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Nannie J. Lee Memorial Recreation Center
Exhibit Hall
1108 Jefferson St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Douglass Cemetery, located at 1421 Wilkes Street, has several preservation issues, including flooding and drainage problems. 

City of Alexandria staff from the Office of Historic Alexandria, Department of Project Implementation, Transportation and Environmental Services, and Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities are working to address these preservation issues. The Social Responsibility Group and the Friends of Douglass Cemetery have dedicated their efforts to raise awareness of the significance of the historic African American cemetery and resolve the preservation issues. The City has developed plans to implement solutions that are respectful and appropriate to the sensitive nature of the site. City Staff will present an update on the plans to address the causes of flooding in addition to other preservation updates.

The meeting will be held at the Lee Center from 5:30-6:30 p.m. NOTE: The meeting will then move to Douglass Cemetery (1421 Wilkes Street) at 6:45 p.m. for an on-site discussion for participants who would like to visit the site. Questions about the project can be submitted in advance at: historicalexandria@alexandriava.gov.

For more information on Douglass Cemetery, visit alexandriava.gov/go/2732.

For media inquiries, contact Eleanor Breen, City Archaeologist, at Audrey.Davis@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.4399.

For more information or for reasonable disability accommodation, contact historicalexandria@alexandriava.gov. or 703.746.4554, Virginia Relay 711.

# # #

This release is available at alexandriava.gov/go/4649.