Dedication Ceremony held for Potter’s Field Memorial

A dedication ceremony was held on Thursday, May 4 for the new Potter’s Field Memorial, located within Union Cemetery, 323 N King Street, in Leesburg.

Once located at the corner of East Market Street and Catoctin Circle, Potter’s Field served as a free burying ground for the poor, convicted criminals, and those not associated with a local church.

In 1839, the Town purchased the land, which became annexed in 1958. Needing to widen the highway and develop the property, the Town sponsored an archeological excavation of the cemetery in the early 1980s. The remains of 80 individuals along with other artifacts were recovered and gathered into a single vault. It was re-interred at Union Cemetery in 1983.

In 2022, the Leesburg Town Council authorized staff to create a larger memorial, which would help tell the stories of those individuals. The memorial was designed by Town staff member Bill Ferrence. The vault was relocated to the new site along with an additional vault containing remains and artifacts found in the original excavation and previously stored at Loudoun Museum.

“This evening, Leesburg has united the remains of the original Potter’s Field and established a lasting burial place that will bring awareness of our history,” said Mayor Kelly Burk. “It is a lovely place for peaceful thoughts and reflection to those who will visit.”