Congressional Cemetery

 

Congressional Cemetery  Derwent Grahitint paints, watercolors and pen by Meera Rao 

This is a sketch of family vaults at the Congressional cemetery in Washington DC. When we visit DC, we often go for walks at the cemetery with our granddogs. Most days Congressional cemetery members’ dogs can roam around there leash free. ‘The Canine Corps’ and the folks who bring them form an important part in the running of the cemetery providing about 1/4th of the operating income. 

The website explains: ‘Congressional Cemetery is a 35-acre historic yet active burial ground located on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Initially known as the Washington Parish Burial Ground, Congressional Cemetery became the first truly national burial ground as Congress bought sites, buried noted civil servants, and funded the infrastructure.’ 

'Among the nearly 70,000 burials at Congressional are scores of noteworthy citizens who left their mark on the city and the nation.' 

While walking around reading the names on the gravestones, I recognize very few. But as I slowly learn the names, I am  getting a very special understanding of history of the city and the nation. The calm, quiet beauty of the place along with happy dogs strangely always makes visiting the cemetery a memorable experience. The last time we were there, the trees were in full fall color glory !