This cemetery is the first national cemetery and was established when, in July 1861, the Commissioners of the United States Military Asylum offered six acres on the north end of the asylum grounds for the burial of soldiers and officers. The first burials in this cemetery were made on 3 August 1861. The cemetery is currently nearly 16 acres in size and is the resting place for 21 recipients of the Medal of Honor. The cemetery is maintained by the Department of the Army.