I doubt this comes as a shock to anyone who’s been a Dogwood reader for a while, but I was the weird kid in high school. The theater geek. The history nerd. The girl who paid much more attention to the unwritten novel in her head than she did in math class. So when I told my parents I’d like to have my senior pictures taken in a South Carolina graveyard, no one batted an eye.
It wasn’t because I’m into ghosts or goblins or anything like that—actually, those creep me out. I wanted to go because old cemeteries hold such incredible stories, and there’s so much to learn and research about the people who lived before me.
Luckily, Virginia has its fair share of centuries-old cemeteries, too, and we’re highlighting some of those in today’s lead story. I’m so glad you’re here to read all about them.
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A tree grows into an old gravestone in Bull Run, VA. (Dulcey Lima/Unsplash)
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By Aila Boyd
Here’s what you need to know: Given its long and storied history, it should come as no surprise that Virginia is home to many old graveyards. Although some have been lost to history, other historic cemeteries are still standing today.
Our top picks:
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Historic Jamestowne is home to a graveyard that likely holds the remains of English colonists who died in 1607. Excavations close to the western palisade wall and inside James Fort have revealed 29 grave shafts dated to the beginnings of the fort, but analysis using ground-penetrating radar indicated additional graves, totaling approximately 36 burials.
- Blandford Cemetery has been used as a burial site since the early 18th century, with the oldest marked grave dating back to 1702. The cemetery is also noteworthy thanks to its connection to Memorial Day. According to the city of Petersburg, the holiday was inspired by events at the cemetery.
- Christ Church and its cemetery are among Alexandria’s most historic landmarks. Vestry records indicate burials at the cemetery as early as 1766. By 1806, most burials had ceased in the center of Alexandria due to sanitation and space concerns.
Want more Virginia history? We’ve got additional stories about the commonwealth’s oldest cemeteries at the link below.
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Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger delivers the Democratic response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Williamsburg, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, Pool)
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By Ava Edwards
Following months of public scrutiny, the proposed merger of Dominion Energy with NextEra Energy has gotten a powerful voice in the opposition camp: Gov. Abigail Spanberger. The governor’s rejection joins Attorney General Jay Jones and Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi, who recently announced their opposition to the proposed purchase.
In a recent press release, Spanberger denounced the proposed merger, saying, “Any proposed merger involving Virginia’s primary state-regulated utility must benefit families and small businesses—not just the shareholders of these multi-billion-dollar corporations.”
Frustration among Virginians, local nonprofits, and state and local lawmakers has grown in recent months, following NextEra’s proposed $67 billion purchase of Dominion Energy. Concerns over potential rate hikes, data center costs, and a potential energy monopoly in the state have led many to denounce the merger.
In August, Spanberger filed a Notice of Participation as Respondent at the State Corporation Commission (SCC), meaning she will be stepping in and may now intervene in the merger’s case proceedings. She is the first governor in Virginia’s history to intervene at the SCC, demonstrating the significance of the proposed merger and its potential effects on Virginians.
Now both the SCC and Spanberger have recommended the proposed merger be denied unless more protective measures are put in place to protect Virginia customers.
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By Michael O’Connor
Voters around the country are looking for change when they head to the polls this November.
Carl Zangardi of James City County counts himself among them.
Dogwood caught up with him after a campaign event on Oct. 7 organized by Democrat Shannon Taylor, who’s hoping to flip Virginia’s 1st Congressional District blue.
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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Amie Knowles. Amie is a lifelong Virginia resident and mom to a fantastic 8-year-old who loves Pokémon. This edition includes stories from Aila Boyd, Ava Edwards, and Michael O’Connor. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.
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