Winchester National Cemetery

Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026

History of Winchester National Cemetery

Winchester National Cemetery was established on land appropriated for burials during the Civil War. Although the land was used for burial purposes as early as 1862, the cemetery was not officially dedicated until April 8, 1866, and the land was not legally transferred to the U.S. government until December 1, 1870, when Jacob Baker was paid $1,500 for the 4.89-acre tract and the deed was signed and executed.

Winchester National Cemetery was the final resting place for Union soldiers who fought and died at the battles of Winchester, New Market, Front Royal, Snickers Gap, Harper's Ferry, Martinsburg, and Romney.

Physically, it was typical of first-generation national cemeteries built before 1870: the grounds were surrounded by a fence and thereafter a wall, a flagpole was centrally located, and a frame lodge followed by a masonry lodge served as an office and dwelling for the superintendent.

The Winchester cemetery benefited from federal programs initiated during the Great Depression. In 1930, the original tool house/comfort station was removed and a new, brick and stucco tool house/storage/comfort station building was erected by Civil Works Administration labor. During 1934 and 1936, headstones were reset and realigned, sunken graves were filled in, existing trees trimmed, new trees and roses planted, and the wall was repointed and repaired. In 1936, a brick and stucco gasoline storage building was constructed and a one-story addition and basement was added to the superintendent's lodge by Workers Project Administration laborers. On August 28, 1939, the original flagstaff was replaced with a new tubular steel one.

Winchester National Cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

Monuments and Memorials Winchester National Cemetery contains 15 monuments, most commemorating units that fought in the battles of the Shenandoah Valley during the Civil War:

-The marble 38th Massachusetts Volunteers Monument was erected in 1864.

-The 14th New Hampshire Regiment Monument was erected by that state in 1868.

-The granite 8th Vermont Volunteers Monument was erected in 1885 by Herbert E. Hill.

-The granite 3rd Massachusetts Cavalry Monument was dedicated in 1888.

-The Pennsylvania Monument is a large granite structure surmounted by a bronze figure. The monument was erected in 1890 by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

-A granite monument honoring the 12th Regiment Connecticut Volunteers was erected by that state on October 19, 1890.

-The 123rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry Monument is made of granite and faced with cut rifles, installed in 1899 by the State of Ohio.

-The Massachusetts Monument features a bronze soldier atop a granite base. The monument was erected by the State of Massachusetts in 1907.

-The 114th New York Volunteer Infantry Monument is made of cut granite. It was erected by the State of New York.

-The 34th Massachusetts Infantry Monument is a marble bust of Col. George D. Wells that sits atop a granite base.

-The granite 18th Connecticut Volunteers Monument was erected by the State of Connecticut.

-A granite monument in memory of the 13th Connecticut Volunteer Regiment was erected by the State of Connecticut.

-The granite 8th Regiment Vermont Infantry Monument was erected in memory of soldiers from that regiment who died in the Civil War.

-A granite monument in honor of the 6th Army Corps was erected shortly after the Civil War.

-A memorial in remembrance of the Third Battle of Winchester, September 19, 1864, is located near the entrance to the cemetery.

Notable interments

Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Winchester National Cemetery, listed by section and site as recorded by the National Cemetery Administration.

Eligibility for burial at Winchester National Cemetery

Planning ahead for a Veteran's or loved-one's final resting place can eliminate unnecessary delays and reduce stress on a family at a difficult time.

Request eligibility status for:

Veteran or servicemember Spouse Dependent family member Apply online »

Burial in a VA national cemetery is open to all members of the armed forces who have met a minimum active duty service requirement and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

Directions

From Washington National or Washington Dulles International Airports, travel Virginia State Highway 7 West. State Highway 7 passes the entrance gate to the cemetery. Visitors traveling on Interstate 81 will take Exit 316, putting them on Highway 7 West. Cemetery is approximately 80 miles west of Washington, D.C.

Floral and grounds policy

Cemetery policies are conspicuously posted and readily visible to the public.

Floral arrangements accompanying the casket or urn at the time of burial will be placed on the completed grave. Natural cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time of the year. They will be removed when they become unsightly or when it becomes necessary to facilitate cemetery operations such as mowing.

Weapons policy

VA regulations 38 CFR 1.218 prohibit the carrying of firearms (either openly or concealed), explosives or other dangerous or deadly weapons while on VA property, except for official purposes, such as military funeral honors.

Possession of firearms on any property under the charge and control of VA is prohibited. Offenders may be subject to a fine, removal from the premises, or arrest.

Education and visiting programs

More than half of VA's national cemeteries originated with the Civil War and many are closed to some burials. Other sites were established to serve World War veterans and they continue to expand. Historic themes related with NCA's cemeteries and soldiers' lots vary, but visitors should understand "Why is it here?" NCA began by installing interpretive signs, or waysides, at more than 100 properties to observe the Civil War Sesquicentennial (2011–2015). Please follow the links below to see the interpretive signs for Winchester National Cemetery.

A National Cemetery System Winchester National Cemetery Visit the Veterans Legacy Program and NCA History Program for additional information. Thank you for your interest.

Nearest cemeteries

The three closest veteran cemeteries to Winchester National Cemetery (by straight-line distance):

• Ball's Bluff National Cemetery — Leesburg, VA (33 mi · closed)
• Rocky Gap Veterans Cemetery — Flintstone, MD (45 mi · open)
• Culpeper National Cemetery — Culpeper, VA (50 mi · open)

Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes

The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Winchester National Cemetery have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.