Rock Creek Cemetery

 

0

18

David G.

Washington, DC

The map is wrong!

Do not use the map to Rock Creek Cemetery on this page.  It is about 2 miles north of the location indicated on this map.

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Elite '08

12

123

reuben j.

Washington, DC

Serenity in DC is as rare as a ego-free attorney. This is a place where it can be found in great abundance. (If you are not afraid of cemeteries, that is) I love the turn of the (19th ) century statuary... Pensive angels, granite children-the majestic mausoleums. And the winding lanes which guide them to us, or us to them...
Perspective is always a good thing-but let us be "real". In a power driven place like DC, where many of us thrive on certainty-the reality that one really controls nothing can (how I'd love to bring my boss here) provide either immense solace, or like a three inch snowstorm,
more internal chaos....   I pray that you choose the latter, and
spend some quiet time here....

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Elite '08

35

94

Cynthia R.

Washington, DC

(WARNING...this is probably going to get a little long winded. If you want the cliff notes...GO VISIT ROCK CREEK! OMG!!!!!!!!!!! THIS cemetery is the GRANDADDY of the District's silent cities.)

I could almost begin this review with "It was a dark and stormy night. " but when I arrived back in late July, it was neither dark nor stormy.
Yet.

I had heard about Rock Creek's positive plethora of exquisite statuary from several acquaintances who share in my odd little graveyard fixation, most notably "Grief", the dark shrouded figure in Section E, marking the tomb of Clover Adams. (there's a whole book dedicated to this memorial...it's a pretty stirring figure). I never  found it, simply due to the overwhelming amount of incredible memorials, both large and small, laid out before my eyes as soon as I entered the gates.

Overwhelming, to say the least! I wasn't ten steps onto the grounds when I was "ooh-ing" and "aahh-ing" and cursing myself for not having more than one memory card on hand because I KNEW I was going to need lots of space to accommodate all the photographic opportunities Rock Creek afforded.

The Cemetery itself, established in 1719, is GINORMOUS. 86 acres packed with notables who knew how to throw a funeral and honor their dead. And from the looks of it, I had the place to myself on that Sunday afternoon. That's probably because everyone else checked the weather channel and knew what was coming.

But I didn't. In the early afternoon sun, Rock Creek still gave of an air of darkness, just a tinge of something not-quite-right on the worldly plain. I'm a pretty down to earth person, but the hair on the back of my neck was standing up, even in my excitement,  early into my visit. It's a little creepy in there.

So imagine how I jumped with the first crack of lightning struck from behind St. Paul's, the Episcopal Church located in the cemetery. I was so enthralled by the beautiful, intricate, and interesting markers, that I didn't notice the greenish black clouds gathering on the other side of all that acreage. I also hadn't noticed how far I now was from my truck. Uh-oh. The creep factor in blazing daylight was about a 5, but now it had jumped up to a +10!

Like a moron, I made a dash for the church to wait it out. Rock Creek is densely planted with some stunningly large trees...the kind that get hit by lightning. I really don't want my body found, camera around my neck, fried by electricity in the middle of a graveyard. It's too much like a CSI plot. So the church seemed safest.

One hell of a storm blew through. Anyone with a lick of common sense would have marched back to their vehicle and resumed the visit on another day. I never claimed to possess common-sense and now, in the light drizzling rain...the backside of Rock Creek resembled something out of a Gothic novel. Dark, dreary, wet and mossy...I was scared out of my wits but there was no way I was going to miss walking those paths lined with some of the most ornate crypts and unique markers I have ever seen.

Besides, there was a security guard rolling around and around the grounds slowly in his car, so I could indulge my scare-fest without really fearing for my personal safety.

And indulge I did! This is quite simply one of the most beautiful, Gothic, memorial parks in Washington. Deer actually roam the grounds. Very old markers still exist, some of which are still legible. And like I said, it's occupied by people who desired their final resting places to be as stylish as the homes they once dwelled in. The orthodox graves at the bottom of the grounds are quite special as well. The simplicity of a few is heart-rending.

Rock Creek is a visual feast of sculpture, art, botany, and beauty. Plan a full day, pack a lunch, wear comfortable shoes and bring  more than one memory stick. You'll need all of the above. Check the Weather Channel too...just in case.

I've posted photos, but more can be found here:
http://www.flickr.com/...

A map of the grounds would be helpful and I understand that they are available in the cemetery office, a pretty granite building just inside the gates to the left.

Disclaimer: I'm reviewing cemeteries for the purpose of a good relaxing walk, photographic opportunities, historic and unusual markers and maybe a little ghoulish thrill here and there. I'm a Victorian Taphophile at heart. Happy Halloween Kids!

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