Ivy Hill Cemetery
Also known as: DHR File No. 100-0203
Why it's listed
Ivy Hill Cemetery is a 14-acre private burial ground laid out in 1886 on land that was once part of the T.B. Wright farm, on a teardrop-shaped peninsula bordered by the Pagan River and wetlands north of Smithfield, Virginia. Gravel roads wind through the grounds in two ovals, following the rolling terrain, while family plots are marked with cornerstones, low stone walls and a few raised platforms. Most markers are vernacular marble, granite, sandstone and limestone, with a few elaborate twentieth-century examples, including an obelisk, a statue marker and an Art Deco monument. A 1916 Confederate memorial stands on the grounds. The cemetery was recognized as a representative local example of planning influenced by the rural cemetery movement. It also holds the graves of many prominent residents, among them state and federal legislators and the founder of a ham and peanut business. Several graves were relocated here from older nearby cemeteries. It remains in active use today.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the cemetery is a fine local example of cemetery planning influenced by the earlier rural cemetery movement, with curving roads that follow the land. It is also significant as the burial place of persons of local and regional importance, including legislators and business founders. Graves were moved here from nearby cemeteries because of its standing in the community.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF). NRHP reference 100011604, listed April 1, 2025. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 2823 King Street, Alexandria |
|---|---|
| County | Alexandria |
| Listed | April 1, 2025 |
| Reference number | 100011604 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | 1886-1956 |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century; Late Victorian; Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals; Modern Movement |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Landscape Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a cemetery; it has kept its current size and form since 1886. |
| Acreage | 22 |
| Coordinates | 38.81737, -77.07291 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 100011604.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives)
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.