Rock Creek & Congressional Cemeteries in Washington DC

I recently took some time to photograph at a pair of historic cemeteries in Washington, DC – Rock Creek Cemetery and Congressional Cemetery.

Rock Creek Cemetery was founded in 1719 as part of the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. After Washington DC was established, the cemetery became one of the District’s public cemeteries.

The most famous grave at Rock Creek Cemetery is that of Marian Hooper “Clover” Adams, wife of Henry Adams. The sculpture on the grave, The Mystery of the Hereafter and The Peace of God that Passeth Understanding, was created by Augustus Saint-Gaudens and Stanford White.

 

And here are photos of other sculptures on graves at Rock Creek Cemetery.

 

 

 

 

Congressional Cemetery, also in Washington DC, was founded in 1807. By 1817, space was set aside for legislators and government officials. While the Federal Government has supported the expansion and upkeep of Congressional Cemetery, it is still a privately owned cemetery maintained by the non-profit Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery.

In 2004, a series of totem poles were dedicated at Congressional Cemetery as a memorial to the 184 people killed at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. They were created by Jewell James, master carver of the Lummi Nation in Washington state. Here a couple of photos of parts of the Totem Poles.

 

And a few photos of some of the other graves at Congressional Cemetery.

 

 

 

 

Since neither of these cemeteries are very far from where I live in Bethesda, I’m hoping to head back soon and do some more photography at them. When I do, I’ll be sure to share some of my photos.