Hebrew Cemetery
Also known as: Hebrew Burying Ground; 127-6166
Why it's listed
Hebrew Cemetery occupies about 8.4 acres on Shockoe Hill in Richmond, Virginia, beside the 1861 Alms House and Shockoe Cemetery. Founded in 1816 and expanded several times, most recently in 1998, it holds about 2,600 burials laid out in a block and grid plan. Early sandstone markers are simple and carry Hebrew and English inscriptions, reflecting the Jewish belief that all are equal in death. Later monuments add Victorian symbols such as ivy, urns and tree forms, alongside Jewish emblems like the shofar and the Levite water jug. A Romanesque-style brick chapel from about 1898 replaced an earlier preparation house. A section enclosed by a distinctive iron fence holds thirty Jewish Confederate soldiers re-interred in 1866. The cemetery is described as the oldest active Jewish cemetery in continuous use in the South. Many of Richmond's Jewish merchants, civic leaders and rabbis are buried there, and the grounds remain in use.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is the oldest active Jewish cemetery in continuous use in the South and the oldest continuously active cemetery in Richmond. It documents the city's Jewish community, including merchants, civic leaders and immigrants, and contains a fenced section where thirty Jewish Confederate soldiers were re-interred. Its grave markers show a shift from traditional simplicity to Victorian symbolism.
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) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 06000348, listed May 5, 2006. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 400 Hospital St., Richmond (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Richmond (city and county) |
| Listed | May 5, 2006 |
| Reference number | 06000348 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 1816-1956 |
| Architect / builder | James Dimmock (mortuary chapel); the text also names Richmond architect M. J. Dimmock, and Nelson Powell as building contractor |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival (building) |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Religion, Social History, Ethnic Heritage |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still an active cemetery; described as well preserved and well maintained, with erosion on the northern bank of the oldest section after Tropical Storm Gaston and stabilization efforts underway. |
| Within district | Shockoe Hill Burying Ground Historic District |
| Coordinates | 37.55192, -77.42972 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
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 06000348.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5695834
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.