Tanner Amphitheater

Tanner Amphitheater is a wooden and stone structure located within Arlington National Cemetery featuring a pergola design and an elliptical stone walkway. Brick columns topped with decorative bronze capitals frame the space and create a formal setting for ceremonial gatherings.

The amphitheater was built in 1873 under General Montgomery Meigs' direction and served as the primary ceremonial space of Arlington National Cemetery until 1920. After that year, other locations took on the role of hosting major commemorative events at the cemetery.

The structure was renamed in 2014 to honor a Civil War veteran who documented the investigation into President Lincoln's assassination. This naming reflects the cemetery's connection to that pivotal historical moment.

The amphitheater is located in Section 26 near Sherman and Meigs Drives within the cemetery grounds. Visitors can access it during regular cemetery hours, and it is worth taking time to walk around the elliptical pathway to fully appreciate the architectural design.

This was the first amphitheater built at a national cemetery, constructed despite severe budget constraints following the Civil War. The construction was completed in an impressively short timeframe, reflecting the urgent need to create a proper ceremonial space.

Location: Arlington County

Architects: Montgomery C. Meigs

GPS coordinates: 38.88030,-77.07390

Latest update: December 12, 2025 16:42