Sacred Ground: A Portrait of Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington Cemetery 1965

George Silk Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

Written By: Ben Cosgrove

Millions of words have been written about Arlington National Cemetery through the years, but none can ever do justice to the singular atmosphere of the place itself. From its founding in 1866, just a year after the cataclysmic Civil War ended, through other, global conflicts, stunning scandals and massive cultural and political change, the 600 acres situated across the Potomac from the Lincoln Memorial have constituted sacred ground for generations of Americans.

Here, on the cemetery’s 150th anniversary, LIFE.com offers a series of photographs made at Arlington by George Silk. Never published in LIFE magazine, Silk’s pictures are appropriately quiet, reflective portraits of a small corner of the country that occupies a special, prominent place in the national consciousness.

A bugler plays "Taps" at Arlington National Cemetery, 1965.

Arlington Cemetery 1965

George Silk Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

Horses pull a caisson through Arlington National Cemetery, 1965.

Arlington Cemetery 1965

George Silk Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

Arlington National Cemetery 1965

Arlington Cemetery 1965

George Silk Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery, 1965.

Arlington Cemetery 1965

George Silk Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

Arlington National Cemetery with Washington, DC, in the distance, 1965.

Arlington Cemetery 1965

George Silk Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

Groundskeepers, Arlington National Cemetery, 1965.

Arlington Cemetery 1965

George Silk Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

Arlington National Cemetery 1965

Arlington Cemetery 1965

George Silk Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

Digging a grave, Arlington National Cemetery, 1965.

Arlington Cemetery 1965

George Silk Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

The original, temporary John F. Kennedy "Eternal Flame," The original, temporary John F. Kennedy "Eternal Flame," 1965.

Arlington Cemetery 1965

George Silk Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

Horses pull a caisson through Arlington National Cemetery, 1965.

Arlington Cemetery 1965

George Silk Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

Funeral, Arlington National Cemetery, 1965.

Arlington Cemetery 1965

George Silk Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

Funeral, Arlington National Cemetery, 1965.

Arlington Cemetery 1965

George Silk Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

Arlington National Cemetery 1965

Arlington Cemetery 1965

George Silk Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

Tending a grave, Arlington National Cemetery, 1965.

Arlington Cemetery 1965

George Silk Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

Arlington National Cemetery 1965

Arlington Cemetery 1965

George Silk Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

Arlington National Cemetery 1965

Arlington Cemetery 1965

George Silk Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

Arlington National Cemetery 1965

Arlington Cemetery 1965

George Silk Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

Arlington National Cemetery 1965

Arlington Cemetery 1965

George Silk Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

A man rests in the shade at Arlington National Cemetery, 1965.

Arlington Cemetery 1965

George Silk Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

A resident squirrel perches on a headstone at Arlington National Cemetery, 1965.

Arlington Cemetery 1965

George Silk Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

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