St. Matthew's Cemetery

St. Matthew's Cemetery is a historic cemetery located in the heart of Arlington, Virginia, near the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery. The cemetery has a rich history dating back to the American Civil War, with many notable figures from the Confederate States of America and the United States buried within its grounds, including Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, and William Tecumseh Sherman. Many of the cemetery's residents also played important roles in the Battle of Gettysburg, the Battle of Bull Run, and the Siege of Vicksburg. The cemetery is also the final resting place of Abraham Lincoln's assassin, John Wilkes Booth, and Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederate States of America.

● History

The history of St. Matthew's Cemetery is closely tied to the American Civil War and the Reconstruction Era. Many of the cemetery's residents were Union Army and Confederate Army soldiers who fought in battles such as the Battle of Antietam, the Battle of Chancellorsville, and the Battle of Appomattox Court House. The cemetery also contains the graves of notable figures such as Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross, and Julia Ward Howe, the author of the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Other notable figures buried in the cemetery include Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and Sojourner Truth, all of whom played important roles in the Abolitionist Movement and the Underground Railroad. The cemetery is also the final resting place of Theodore Roosevelt's wife, Edith Carow Roosevelt, and Franklin D. Roosevelt's son, Elliott Roosevelt.

● Location

St. Matthew's Cemetery is located in Arlington County, Virginia, near the Potomac River and the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division. The cemetery is situated near several other historic sites, including Arlington National Cemetery, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the Pentagon Memorial. The cemetery is also close to the National Mall, the United States Capitol, and the White House, making it a popular destination for tourists and historians. Other nearby landmarks include the Lincoln Memorial, the World War II Memorial, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial. The cemetery is also accessible by Metrorail and is near the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

● Notable_interments

St. Matthew's Cemetery is the final resting place of many notable figures, including George S. Patton, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Omar Bradley, all of whom played important roles in World War II. The cemetery also contains the graves of John F. Kennedy's brother, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr.'s associate, Ralph Abernathy. Other notable figures buried in the cemetery include Harry S. Truman's wife, Bess Truman, and Lyndon B. Johnson's wife, Lady Bird Johnson. The cemetery is also the final resting place of Norman Schwarzkopf Jr., the commander of the Coalition Forces during the Gulf War, and Colin Powell, the former United States Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Additional notable interments include John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth, and Sally Ride, the first American woman in space.

● Architecture

The architecture of St. Matthew's Cemetery is characterized by its historic Victorian-era and Art Deco styles, with many grand mausoleums and monuments dedicated to the cemetery's notable residents. The cemetery's entrance is marked by a grand gatehouse designed by Frank Furness, a prominent American architect of the late 19th century. The cemetery also features several chapels and memorials, including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Pentagon Memorial. The cemetery's landscape is designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the famous American landscape architect who also designed Central Park and the United States Capitol grounds. Other notable architectural features include the Arlington Memorial Bridge and the Custis-Lee Mansion.

● Current_status

Today, St. Matthew's Cemetery is a historic landmark and a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world. The cemetery is maintained by the Arlington County Government and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The cemetery is also a member of the National Cemetery Administration and is eligible for National Historic Landmark designation. Visitors to the cemetery can take guided tours and attend special events, such as the annual Memorial Day ceremony and the Wreaths Across America event. The cemetery is also a popular destination for genealogists and historians researching the American Civil War and the history of the United States. Nearby institutions, such as the National Archives and Records Administration and the Library of Congress, offer additional resources for researchers. Category:Cemeteries in Virginia