Historic Congressional Cemetery (HCC) is a nonprofit organization, an active burial ground, a community gathering space, and the first cemetery of national memory in the United States. Founded in 1807 on the banks of the Anacostia River, Historic Congressional Cemetery has evolved alongside the nation’s capital for more than two centuries. Today, the 35-acre landscape has more than 65,000 interments and serves as both a place of active remembrance and an urban greenspace in the heart of Washington, D.C. HCC reflects the American story itself, a landscape where the triumphs, contradictions, struggles, and evolution of the nation can be understood through the lives of those memorialized there. Blending history, nature, and community, the cemetery offers visitors a space for exploration, contemplation, and a deeper connection to the people and events that shaped both Washington and the United States.

In addition to its historic significance, HCC is home to a diverse and evolving urban canopy featuring more than 27 taxa of trees. Among these are a Swamp White Oak believed to date to the early 20th century and several Southern Magnolias that may be even older. The cemetery is also renowned for its annual display of flowering cherry trees, with three distinct varieties that make HCC a beloved destination during Washington’s cherry blossom season. These trees, landscapes, and green spaces are not only aesthetically significant, but also contribute to the ecological health of Capitol Hill and provide visitors with a place of beauty, reflection, and environmental connection within the urban core of the nation’s capital.

As part of its mission to preserve, promote, and protect this historic and active burial ground, the Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery is committed to cultivating and stewarding a landscape that honors both memory and environmental stewardship. Through tree conservation, landscape management, public education, and arboretum development, HCC seeks to foster a deeper understanding of the relationship between nature, history, and place while ensuring the cemetery remains a welcoming and sustainable resource for future generations.

Swamp White Oak Photo Courtesy of Vincent Vassall

Cherry Blossom and Autumn Foliage Photos Courtesy of Kitty Linton