The Cemetery

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The Wren-Darne Cemetery was founded in 1770 on Col. James Wren's estate. While the estate has since been sold and become residential properties, his original home - Longview - still stands, and is only a few hundred yards from the cemetery.

Over the past several years caretaker Pete Greene, his family, the local neighborhood, and members of the Wren and Darne families have been working together to preserve this piece of history. What was once overgrown is now a beautiful part of the neighborhood, and those once forgotten now have a place to be remembered.  

While you may not see many headstones, there are more people here than you may think. We know the names of 19 buried, though there are many more unknown. All of the original headstones are now gone, though you will notice there are dornick stones (footstones) all throughout the cemetery. Unfortunately due to the removal of the original headstones we only know the approximate location of one specific person - Col. James Wren. He now has a new stone in its proper location. Three more new stones have been added as well; Col. John S. Wren, Capt. Robert Darne, and John Robert Darne (CSA). Lastly a plaque has been erected in memory of all those, known and unknown resting at the Wren-Darne Cemetery.  

Through much of the 19th century this cemetery was part of the Longview and Winterhill estates, which were run by the Wren and Darne Families. While the Winterhill home has been gone for many years, there are currently apartments on the land it once stood. To this day the apartment complex shares the name 'Winterhill'. The Longview home however, is still standing! It is currently a private residence lovingly cared for by the Magness family.

Every December Wreaths Across America coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, and over 2,100 locations including the Wren-Darne Cemetery. 

If you would like to volunteer or sponsor a wreath for the veterans buried here, please visit here.

Our work is never done! Stay tuned for progress updates and events!

We would like to thank the local community for all the help and encouragement, as well as all those who have come to visit!

Special Thanks to:

Transurban Ltd. 

Sisler Stone, Falls Church VA

Harper's Statuary for the replica of the Revolutionary war cannon

Gusman Tree Service, Alexandria VA

Modern Music, Lisle IL 

Fairfax County public schools, and the Shrevewood E.S. PTA

Fairfax County Cemetery Preservation Association

Tom Carroll of Lombard IL, and Karen Jones of Albuquerque NM. Direct descendants of James and Catherine Wren, for their continued interest and support

Virginia Ward, who wrote, and the students at Shrevewood and Kent Gardens E.S. who solved, the Junior Detective Adventure: The Mysterious Colonel Wren

Beth Boswell, and the Freedom Hill chapter of the DAR

Daughters of the War of 1812

Daughters of the Confederacy

Fairfax Resolves Chapter of the SAR

Wreaths Across America

Of course, our neighbors who've worked so hard to help restore and maintain this piece of American history!

*The Wren-Darne Cemetery is a historic site and should be treated as such. We do not assume any liability for injuries or other difficulties you may have while visiting our property. Out of respect for those in the cemetery, and for the safety of yourself and others, we request that no one climb on the grave markers, fencing, replica cannon, etc.