“Tree-Walk Through History” at Historic Congressional Cemetery

Join Casey Trees as we partner up with Congressional Cemetery for a sunset "Tree Walk Through History" this October.

This tree tour will be co-led by Cene Ketcham, Arborist and Urban Forester; and Sharon Metcalf, Congressional Cemetery & Trowel Garden Club arboretum project coordinator.

Tree-lovers are invited to stroll through a trail of trees at Historic Congressional Cemetery during the peak of autumn’s color. The tour will feature selected old-growth trees, along with two dozen distinct species planted by Casey Trees over the past two decades. The signature tree collection will be preserved, cared for, and eventually tagged with their scientific and common names to earn official Arbnet Arboretum Accreditation for the cemetery grounds.

The tour features the newly designated ‘Tree Walk Through History’ -- a quarter mile pathway that highlights some of the cemetery’s most prominent memorial sites representing over 200 years of American history. The route weaves through picturesque canopy tree tunnels formed by the arched branches of Kwanzan Cherry, Chinese Elm, and American Hornbeams, among others.

A three-year Partners for Plants (P4P) grant, awarded by the Garden Club of America in 2024, funded a collaboration between Congressional Cemetery, Trowel Garden Club, and Casey Trees to create tree-focused conservation and educational activities for those visiting the National Historic Landmark. Since 2004, Casey Trees has planted over 500 trees throughout Congressional Cemetery’s 35-acre urban green space and vibrant memorial park.

Congressional Cemetery is known throughout the city for its ongoing series of annual events, Soul Strolls, Twilight Tours, Cinematery movie nights, 5k races, and other community programs. Established in 1807, the cemetery serves as the final resting place for senators, congresspersons, Native American diplomats, and notables including John Philip Souza, Mathew Brady, J. Edgar Hoover, Cokie Roberts, as well as the public at large. The grounds are open to visitors from dawn to dusk throughout the year.

Among the featured sites of the cemetery arboretum tour is the Circle of Life, a contemplative outdoor gathering space surrounded by a distinctive ‘tree-henge’ or circle of trees. Planted by Casey Trees in 2020, the eight young linden trees (also known as basswood trees) are aligned with the eight navigational points of a prominent compass centerpiece. As the trees mature, they will cast their directional shadows across the compass sundial to mark the changing seasons and the sun’s celestial path during solstices and equinoxes.

Getting There

Congressional Cemetery is located at 1801 E St SE DC, a mile SE of the U.S. Capitol Building and four blocks from the Potomac Ave Metro Station (Orange and Blue lines). Free parking is available on E St SE (between 18th & 19th Streets SE) just outside the cemetery gate.

Requirements

Register: Please register in advance as space is limited. If you are no longer able to attend, please let us know.

Waiver: All attendees must pre-register and sign a completed participant waiver form BEFORE participating in the Tree Walk.

Youth Attendees: Youth attendees may participate with an adult supervisor.

Clothes and shoes: Dress comfortably and appropriately for the weather. We recommend clothes to protect you from the sun. Please wear closed toed shoes that are comfortable for walking.

Arrival: Please arrive on time. Check in will begin at 5:00 pm.

Water and sunscreen: Please bring a full water bottle and sunscreen to stay hydrated and protected from the sun during this outdoor event.

Food: No food will be provided on site, please pack in any food you would like to eat during the event. Be sure to leave no trace and pack out any trash after the event! There will be some trash cans on site.

Animals: No animals are allowed into the event, except for service animals.

Support Casey Trees:

Donate to Casey Trees to Restore, Enhance and Protect D.C.’s Tree Canopy! Casey Trees relies on the support of friends, neighbors and volunteers like you to make our work possible.

And consider becoming a Casey Trees Member today and receive some incredible perks and benefits – all while doing your part to help build a greener place to live for us all.

Questions?

Contact [email protected] with any questions.

Host or Publisher Casey Trees