Lodge A Caretaker’s Home - Poplar Grove National Cemetery

Superintendent's Lodge at Poplar Grove National Cemetery

NPS

Quick Facts

Location:

5008 Vaughan

Significance:

National Cemetery

Amenities

1 listed

Wheelchair Accessible

The War Department hired a superintendent for each National Cemetery. The employee, who had to be a disabled veteran, served as a caretaker of the cemetery. His duties included maintaining records, coordinating burials, and welcoming visitors. The superintendent and his family lived in this modest sandstone building referred to as a lodge. The building housed an office for the superintendent as well. The lodge followed the original concept design of Quartermaster Meigs. In 1914, an addition provided an indoor kitchen space, replacing the separate kitchen outbuilding.On August 20, 1867, the cemetery’s first superintendent, August Miller, arrived for duty. A 38 year-old disabled Civil War veteran born in Baden, Germany. Miller served as superintendent of Poplar Grove until 1876. He answered directly to the Quartermaster General (Washington Depot) and supervised five laborers. Miller and his crew were responsible for maintenance work, such as mowing and weeding. Miller served as the superintendent until 1876, when health issues forced him to retire.There was not a clear work-life balance for the cemetery’s superintendent. He lived where he worked. If a visitor showed up, the superintendent would greet them. His home housed not just him & his family but an office where record-keeping was a daily task.Have you ever worked from home? How did you balance work requirements and home-life?