Privately owned but publicly significant, Congressional Cemetery in southeast Washington, D.C., is the resting place of more than 67,000 Americans—heroes and villains, famous and forgotten—making it a powerful place to explore our shared history. The cemetery holds surprising ties to Abraham Lincoln, although he wasn’t buried there. Lincoln walked these grounds during one of the Civil War’s most heartbreaking moments, and the cemetery is the final resting place for many individuals whose lives intersected with his.
Author and journalist Chuck Raasch explores some of those intriguing connections during a walk through the grounds. The stories he tells include those of an assassination conspirator in an unmarked grave, pioneering photographer Mathew Brady, and unsung heroes who became victims of one of the Civil War’s most tragic non-combat events.
Know Before You Go
- Tour participants meet at entrance of Congressional Cemetery at 1801 E St. SE, Washington, D.C.
- Street parking is available.
- The tour involves 2 miles of walking. Each tour is 2 hours in length.
- This tour uses Whisper audio devices.
Additional Date Options for this Tour
General Information
- Registration for this tour will end by 2 p.m. ET on Friday, November 7, 2025.
- Smithsonian Associates is a mask-friendly environment. Please feel free to bring and wear a mask at any time during a tour, both for your safety or the safety of others.
- As we aim to move away from single use water bottles, guests are strongly encouraged to get in the habit of bringing their own reusable water bottle on tour.
- For additional tour information:
