Historic Oakwood Cemetery and Mausoleum, Raleigh

Established in 1869, Historic Oakwood Cemetery and Mausoleum is a notable burial ground located in Raleigh. Positioned within the Historic Oakwood neighborhood, the cemetery serves as the eastern boundary of the Oakwood National Historic District, which boasts the largest collection of Victorian-era homes in the United States.

Covering 102 acres (41 hectares), the cemetery is divided into several sections, including the Confederate Cemetery and the Hebrew Cemetery, both of which were donated by Henry Mordecai in 1867. The Confederate Cemetery, encompassing 2.5 acres (1 hectare), serves as the final resting place for over 1,500 Confederate soldiers. This section also features the House of Memory, a structure erected in 1935 to honor the bravery and sacrifices of Confederate soldiers and later expanded to commemorate North Carolina’s servicemen and women who served in various conflicts.

Today, Historic Oakwood Cemetery provides a serene and respectful setting for over 22,000 of the area’s citizens, including numerous prominent local, state, and national figures. Among those interred are seven governors, five U.S. Senators, eight North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justices, four Civil War generals, two U.S. Navy Secretaries, and many Raleigh mayors.

The cemetery also offers a wide range of memorialization options, including traditional burial, cremation niches, and mausoleum spaces. With over 200 years of active burial space remaining, Historic Oakwood Cemetery is committed to serving the community for generations to come.

Visitors are welcome year-round to explore the peaceful grounds, which serve not only as a place of remembrance but also as a green space within downtown Raleigh. The cemetery’s rich history, represented by its monuments and statuary, provides a glimpse into the stories and legacies of those who shaped the history of Raleigh, Wake County, and the state of North Carolina.