McKee Grave facts for kids
Quick facts for kids McKee Grave |
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| Year | ca. 1890 |
| Type | Marble |
| Dimensions | 2.7 m × 2.1 m × 1.5 m (9 ft × 7 ft × 5 ft) |
| Location | Arlington, Virginia, United States |
| 38°52′49.93″N 77°4′29.08″W / 38.8805361°N 77.0747444°W | |
| Owner | Arlington National Cemetery |
The McKee Grave is a special monument at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, United States. It marks the burial spot of First Lieutenant Thomas Hudson McKee and his wife, Nancy Matilda Funk McKee. This beautiful grave features a marble angel and tells a unique story about family and history.
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What Does the McKee Grave Look Like?
The McKee Grave is made from white marble. Its main part is a statue of an angel wearing a long robe. The angel stands on a base with two steps. Behind the angel, there's a large cross.
The angel holds a bunch of flowers in her left hand. Her right arm is raised, but her hand is missing. A plaque is on the cross, next to where the angel stands. The name "MCKEE" is carved into the grave marker.
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Back view of the McKee Grave.
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A closer look at the angel statue.
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Another detailed view of the angel.
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Who Was Thomas Hudson McKee?
Thomas Hudson McKee was a soldier during the American Civil War. He served in the 1st West Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment (3 Year). He was an assistant to Brigadier General Benjamin Franklin Kelley. General Kelley is buried right behind the McKee grave.
Thomas was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania. He worked as a farmer before joining the Army on September 12, 1861. This was in Independence, Pennsylvania. He became a Second Lieutenant on November 1, 1862. On September 11, 1863, Confederate soldiers captured him in Moorefield, West Virginia.
About Nancy Matilda Funk McKee
Thomas's wife, Nancy Matilda Funk, was born in Washington County on January 14, 1851. She passed away in 1927. The couple got married on October 14, 1868, in Mifflintown, Pennsylvania.
Molly McKee's Special Burial
Next to the McKee grave is the burial site of their daughter, Molly. Normally, Molly would not have been allowed to be buried at Arlington. However, Thomas McKee asked his friend, President Theodore Roosevelt, for special permission. Because of this, Molly was allowed to be buried in the family plot.
Where is the Grave Located?
The McKee grave is in Section 1 of Arlington National Cemetery. It is placed in front of General Kelley's grave. There are stories that when Thomas McKee died in 1924, his wife, Nancy, had the large monument built. Some say she wanted it to block the view of General Kelley's grave.
Condition of the Sculpture
In 1995, experts looked at this sculpture as part of the Save Outdoor Sculpture! program. They said it needed urgent care. As you can see, the angel's right hand is still missing.
