Mount Zion and Female Union Band Society Cemeteries are adjoining burial grounds in Georgetown, at 2501 Mill Road NW. Established in 1808, they are the resting place of more than 6,000 free and enslaved Black Americans. Walk the wooded paths among gravestones, some more than two centuries old, and look for an old vault believed to have been part of the Underground Railroad. The grounds are a quiet place to reflect on Black history in Washington and the lives recorded on the stones.
How the burial grounds began
In 1808, Dumbarton Street Methodist Church acquired land at Mill Road and 26th Street NW in Georgetown. The Mount Zion United Methodist congregation leased and later bought the eastern part of the property for a burial ground.
The cemetery initially received both Black and white residents. After 1849, it was used almost exclusively by the African-American community. Today, more than 6,000 free and enslaved Black Americans are buried across the grounds.
Paths, stones and a vault
Wooded paths pass fallen gravestones and lead toward Rock Creek Park. The stones record lives across more than two centuries; pause to read the names rather than treating the grounds as a route to hurry through.
An old vault on the site is believed to have been part of the Underground Railroad. Its connection is not confirmed, but it offers a point of reflection on the history held here. The grounds are a sacred place, so visit quietly and give the graves the respect they deserve.
FAQ
Where are Mount Zion and Female Union Band Society Cemeteries?
They are at 2501 Mill Road NW in Georgetown, Washington, DC.
Who is buried at the cemeteries?
More than 6,000 free and enslaved Black Americans are buried here.
When did the burial ground begin?
Dumbarton Street Methodist Church acquired the property in 1808. The Mount Zion congregation later leased and bought the eastern section for burials.
