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Alexandria cemetery tour this weekend explores tales of local duels, cavalry battles and more

The base of the Appomattox statue is now located at Bethel Cemetery in the Wilkes Cemetery Complex (staff photo by James Cullum)

The historic cemetery tour: it’s the one locals are dying to get into.

A tour coming up this Saturday (April 27) will reacquaint Alexandrians with some of their post-mortem neighbors and hear buried histories of duels, cavalry battles and more in the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex (1475-1501 Wilkes Street).

According to the Office of Historic Alexandria:

Embark on an extraordinary walking tour through the historic Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex. Immerse yourself in the captivating lives of remarkable individuals laid to rest here who share a profound connection to the landmark Lee-Fendall House. This exclusive tour offers a rare opportunity to visit gravesites not typically covered elsewhere, unveiling tales of duels, cavalry battles, encounters with the Marquis de Lafayette, and many other intriguing narratives.

Tickets for the tour are $20 per person and all proceeds go directly to the preservation and maintenance of the Lee-Fendall House. The tour is limited to 25 participants, starts at 1 p.m. and lasts approximately one hour.