Oak Hill

Hidden within Georgetown’s embrace lies Oak Hill Cemetery. It’s a place where the whispers of history mingle with the rustling leaves. Oak Hill Cemetery isn’t just a graveyard. It’s a tapestry woven with the threads of D.C.’s past. Envisioned by banker William Wilson Corcoran, Oak Hill became a reality in 1848. Corcoran purchased 15 acres from George Corbin Washington, a relative of George Washington himself. An Act of Congress in 1849 officially chartered the Oak Hill Cemetery Company. The cemetery’s design, a picturesque landscape masterpiece, was entrusted to George Frederick Frank de la Roche. His vision, inspired by the English Romantic style, echoes in the sloping hills and winding paths. This style, popularized by Andrew Jackson Downing, can also be seen in other D.C. landmarks like Lafayette Square. The gatehouse, an Italian Villa style structure, adds a touch of elegance to the entrance, though its architect remains a mystery. Within Oak Hill’s grounds stand two structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Van Ness Mausoleum, designed by George Hadfield, was relocated to Oak Hill from its original location on H Street. It now serves as the final resting place for John Peter Van Ness and his family. The other notable structure is the Oak Hill Cemetery Chapel, a charming example of Gothic Revival architecture by James Renwick Jr. Renwick, known for his work on St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Grace Church in New York City, left his mark on Oak Hill with this delicate chapel. Oak Hill is the final resting place for a host of prominent figures. Among them are William Wilson Corcoran, John Howard Payne, Dean Acheson, and Edwin Stanton. Even Willie Lincoln, son of President Abraham Lincoln, was temporarily interred in the chapel before being moved to Springfield, Illinois. It’s said that President Lincoln visited the chapel numerous times, seeking solace in the presence of his deceased son. This poignant story inspired George Saunders’ novel, “Lincoln in the Bardo.” Oak Hill Cemetery is more than just a collection of graves. It is a living museum, a testament to the lives that shaped our nation’s capital.