GENERAL INFORMATION

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HISTORICAL INFORMATION

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 Dec. 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 Aug. 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 Oct. 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, Sept. 19, 1864, is located near the entrance to the cemetery.
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NOTABLE BURIALS

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FLORAL/GROUNDS REGULATIONS

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.

Artificial flowers and potted plants will be permitted on graves during periods when their presence will not interfere with grounds maintenance. As a general rule, artificial flowers and potted plants will be allowed on graves for a period extending 10 days before through 10 days after Easter Sunday and Memorial Day.

Christmas wreaths, grave blankets and other seasonal adornments may be placed on graves from Dec. 1 through Jan. 20. They may not be secured to headstones or markers.

Permanent plantings, statues, vigil lights, breakable objects and similar items are not permitted on the graves. The Department of Veterans Affairs does not permit adornments that are considered offensive, inconsistent with the dignity of the cemetery or considered hazardous to cemetery personnel. For example, items incorporating beads or wires may become entangled in mowers or other equipment and cause injury.

Permanent items removed from graves will be placed in an inconspicuous holding area for one month prior to disposal. Decorative items removed from graves remain the property of the donor but are under the custodianship of the cemetery. If not retrieved by the donor, they are then governed by the rules for disposal of federal property.
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