Gravestone Stories

For David Heiby, growing up among the gravestones of the Old Presbyterian Meeting House was anything but grim. As a child, David was fascinated by the stories and lives of deceased historical figures. He watched in wonder as his family maintained the graves of prominent figures like Dr. James Craik, George Washington’s physician and chief mourner, and Dr. James Muir, the pastor who helped lay the cornerstone of Washington, D.C. His upbringing sparked a lifelong passion for sharing the untold stories of the city’s cemeteries and buried history. He connects people to these stories through tours and a digital archive called Gravestone Stories.  

As a longstanding Superintendent of Alexandria’s Presbyterian Cemetery, David has worked with archaeologists, descendants, and city partners to locate lost graves, install historical markers, and preserve sacred sites. His passion for preserving lost graves extends to his active involvement in Alexandria’s historical community. Some of his titles include Treasurer of the Virginia Trust for Historic Preservation (Lee-Fendall House Museum), Treasurer of the Alexandria Historical Society, and a member of the America250 Alexandria Committee.   

David is a public historian, cemetery steward, and founder of Gravestone Stories, a digital archive that houses archival research on Alexandria’s lost stories, sharing the stories of Revolutionary War patriots, Civil War soldiers, the untold stories of African Americans, and more who shaped Alexandria’s history. David extends his passion through enchanting, guided tours that inspire a desire to dive into the outdoor archives of Alexandria’s rich history. He also offers self-guided resources, such as maps and digital documentation, to help visitors immerse themselves in an educational experience that keeps history discoverable.