Home

About

In the News 

Business Member Directory

Join

Calendar

Newsletter

Most Endangered Places
2003

Old Engine Company 6
Rutherford B. Hayes School
911-919 New Jersey Ave., SE
Carter G. Woodson House
Woodlawn Cemetery
Martin Luther King, Jr. Pub. Library
Anne Archbold Hall
St. Elizabeths
DC World War I Memorial
Uline Arena/Washington Coliseum
Corcoran Hunting Lodge
Capitol Park
Western Telegraph Company

   View the 2007 List
   View the 2006 List
   View the 2005 List
   View the 2004 List
   View the 2003 List
   View the 2002 List
   View the 2001 List
   View the 2000 List
   View the 1999 List

DC's Historic Districts

Historic Site Inventory

Contact

Most Endangered Places for 2003

WOODLAWN CEMETERY

4611 BENNING ROAD, SE

Owner: Woodlawn Cemetery Association

HISTORY
Designated on the DC Inventory of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Sites, Woodlawn Cemetery was established in 1895 by several individuals associated with Graceland Cemetery (founded in 1872 and located near the inter of Benning Road and H Street NE). The initial interments at Woodlawn consisted primarily of over 6,000 re-interments from Graceland made from 1895 to 1898; as at Graceland, blacks and whites were placed in adjoining graves. Subsequent interments included many prominent African-Americans, among them Blanche K. Bruce, born a slave in 1841 and elected to the U.S. Senate in 1875, and John Mercer Langston, U.S. Representative from Virginia and Dean of the Howard University Law School from 1869 to 1879.

WHAT IS THE THREAT?
Lack of perpetual care funds has made upkeep of the 24.5 acres in the heart of Ward 7 a continuing challenge to the dedicated volunteers who work to keep these hallowed grounds free of overgrowth and clear of debris.

DCPL’S RESPONSE
In recent months the Woodlawn Cemetery Association, a newly-formed community-based advisory committee and the Marshall Heights CDO, the Columbia Harmony Society and DCPL have made some progress in restoring the gates and grounds and preserving burial records, but still face an enormous task in clearing the back 2/3 of the property, righting stones and ensuring long-term financial security.

PREVIOUS | NEXT