Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial

When the Civil War started and the Union took Alexandria many escaped slaves, called Contraband, poured into the city to escape their former masters. This overcrowding caused a high mortality rate. The soldiers seized a undeveloped plot of land and turned it into a cemetery. More than 1,700 Freedmen and Contrabands were buried here, Of course it was forgotten, built on, and many of the graves were destroyed. Rediscovered in 1996 it is now a monunment, From what I understand about 500 graves still exist and many of the markers on the ground had only 'Grave Of An Adult' on it. BUT the lists of names suggest more knowledge of who was buried. Mostly because many of their descendants were found. Oh, is that crow or a raven?

On a random walk noticed the Freedmans cemetary. It's an amazing piece of history and culture. Very happy that we saw this place. It's small but the history and reflection provided is worth a visit. They also have a listing of the people buried there and and nice little fact on if their descendants have been found.

It’s beautiful place and I’m so thankful that something like this preserved for the public to learn about. African-American history is American history and it’s wonderful to honor the slaves and freedmen that built this city and country.

Very sobering experience. The monument is an excellent tribute. Tickets not necessary.

Wow.. interesting and powerful history. It’s so meaningful and it gives you a bigger perspective.

An amazing hidden treasure full of history! I got chills standing in an ancestral burial place!

It's a small place with a very powerful message. A must visit.

Last year my wife and I were walking the new bridge. We arrived at the Virginia side of it to see this historic monument. To my surprise I saw a man walking his dog in the cemetery. He allowed it to poop there. I asked him if it was okay that I poop on your anscestors graves? He got mad. Virginia allows whites and others to disrespect this monument by allowing their dogs to poop on it.