Cemetery Spirits & Stories: Iconography
Join us for an evening of wine, spirits, and stories in the cemetery that J. Edgar Hoover, Madam Mary Anne Hall, Marion Berry, and other notables call their eternal home. You’ll wander the historic grounds at sunset, beverage in hand, and enjoy wine and light snacks in the very vault in which Dolley Madison once laid.
From there, we’ll join Jeffrey Rollins, who has been a docent at Congressional Cemetery since 2014, for “Iconography.” On this exclusive tour, we’ll explore some of the most important features of the grounds’ more than 14,000 headstones. We’ll discover drape-covered urns, broken columns, an hourglass, a lamb, and more—all telling us a bit about the lives of the people who rest beneath.
One of the country's most historic cemeteries, Congressional Cemetery is home to more than 65,000 souls including mayors, madams, gay rights advocates, Disney Imagineers, Supreme Court justices, senators, and the first director of the FBI. It's also believed to be the only cemetery in the world with a dedicated LGBTQ section. Recently the cemetery added a final resting place for furry friends—becoming D.C.'s first known pet cemetery.
Hi. I’m Matt, and I host experiences with Atlas Obscura.
I’m a D.C. area native who loves to discover new, hidden, and mysterious places. I am a journalist who tells the untold and forgotten stories that have made D.C. one of the greatest cities in the world. My work has been published in local and national media. I frequently appear on radio and television shows, including hosting “Hidden City” on WAMU, D.C.’s NPR affiliate. For five years, I’ve worked with Congressional Cemetery to offer this experience. You can catch me exploring D.C. neighborhoods, enjoying local restaurants, and talking with everyone I meet!
For questions about this experience, please contact me directly through Airbnb.
- The walking tour covers about a mile. Please dress for the weather and wear walking shoes.
- This event is rain or shine provided it's safe.
- Before our tour, we will be joined by attendees participating in our other"Cemetery Spirits & Stories" experience.
- Street parking is available.
There are 10 spots available on this experience.
Guests ages 21 and up can attend.
- This event is 21+. Please bring ID.
- Closed-toe walking shoes
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Water
- I.D. (This is a 21+ event)
Any experience can be canceled and fully refunded within 24 hours of purchase. See cancellation policy.
Light snacks will be provided.
Two drink tickets for either beer or wine are included.
