How much do the residents care about Silas Burke and the Burke cemetery?
At a recent public meeting, photos were shown of the grave markers for Silas and Hannah Burke that were broken and covered with vines. The speaker had implied that residents of Burke do not care if the name of Burke is changed. Also, the speaker asserted that the current conditions of the Burke cemetery reflect the community’s lack of caring.
Here is some relevant information about the Silas Burke cemetery.
- According to the Plat for the neighborhood surrounding the Silas Burke Cemetery, the Parcel D - Cemetery is not included in the subdivision. The description of Parcel D reserves and excepts one half square acre around the graveyard with twelve feet right-of-way to the most convenient road.
- An additional restriction about Parcel D is included on the plat. No permit will be issued for a dwelling on this tract.
- In 2011 a community meeting was held. A plan was discussed about how the cemetery could be cleaned up. Neighbors, members of the non-profit Fairfax County Cemetery Preservation Association, and community leaders all agreed that the objective was to develop a maintenance plan for the Silas Burke cemetery.
- The morning after the community meeting, a neighbor called one of the directors of the Fairfax County Cemetery Preservation Association at home. This neighbor, who had not attended the community meeting, was very upset over the maintenance plan for the cemetery. The neighbor was concerned that the attention given to the cemetery might result in more visitors and traffic.
- In the following years, attempts have been made to clean up the cemetery. The designated owner of the property agreed at first and then would cancel access to the cemetery at the last minute.
Setting the record straight, county community leaders, neighbors, and the Fairfax County Cemetery Preservation Association do care about the Silas Burke cemetery but have not been able to gain access to the cemetery.
- Mary Lipsey
A retired American History teacher from Lake Braddock Secondary who started each school year teaching the history of the Burke community.
A director of the Fairfax County Cemetery Preservation Association.
A member of the Northern Virginia Cemetery Consortium
