Recognition Of Burial Grounds At Fort Ward Park To Be Discussed

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The city's Office of Historic Alexandria will lead a discussion on the marking and recognition of Fort Ward Park burial sites associated with a historic African American community.

Fort Ward Park is a historic park featuring one of the best preserved Union forts. It's also the site of a post-Civil War African American community known as "The Fort." The community lived on the grounds of the present-day park and in the vicinity from the 1870s to the early 1960s.

Fort Ward Park has four main cemetery areas and burial sites associated with the Fort: The Old Grave Yard, established at least by 1897; the Adams family burial site, which includes community matriarch Clara Adams' grave; the Clark family burial site; and the Jackson Cemetery on land once part of the Civil War Union fort and bought by Fort resident James Jackson in 1884.

The Office of Historic Alexandria will seek feedback on the long-term care and recognitions of the burial sites. A public meeting will be held Saturday, July 31 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. City archaeologists and historians will lead discussions at each burial site to provide context and considerations for potential demarcation of some sites, preservation issues, and other options to memorialize the sites.

Those attending the July 31 meeting should meet city staff in the parking lot behind Fort Ward Museum. Attendees will walk to the four major burial sites. Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site is located at 4301 West Braddock Road, Alexandria. In the event of rain, the meeting will be moved to the reception hall at Oakland Baptist Church, 3408 King Street, Alexandria.