Northern Virginia's cemeteries are time capsules reflecting the region's 350 years of history. They offer a glimpse into the lives and fortunes of the famous, the infamous, and those who are remembered for loving their families, tending to their business, and quietly supporting their communities. There are some 1,000 cemeteries in Northern Virginia, ranging from small family plots to huge national cemeteries covering hundreds of acres. This book presents the history of the region through the medium of cemeteries. Every gravestone has a story to tell. Confederate raiders, freedmen, eccentrics, and nation builders lived and died in Northern Virginia. Sometimes, tombstones are all that remain of their stories. Often, finding their tombstones is the first step in rediscovering the stories of these figures.
Historic Cemeteries of Northern Virginia is a compilation of rare photographs from the Library of Congress, the Virginia Room Collection of Fairfax County, and the author's personal collection. Charles A. Mills is the author of numerous books on the history of Northern Virginia, including Alexandria: 1861–1865, Hidden History of Northern Virginia, and Echoes of Manassas. He is also the producer and cohost of the cable television show Virginia Time Travel.