The other group - like me, seeks out cemeteries when I visit historical areas. One reason may be because I grew up in bus ride distance of a cemetery that contains the graves of many famous people (although, ironically, I never visited it although I still hope to get back one day).
Another is their beauty and history. Did you know that a number of cemeteries are also arboretums, containing flower and tree displays that would rival those of any botanical gardens?
I've blogged before about one - Green-Wood cemetery in Brooklyn (New York City).
And I've mentioned another I have visited twice - Bonaventure Cemetary near Savannah, Georgia, where some of the action of "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" took place.
For history, though, it is hard to beat Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia.
It's not just the plants, although this cemetery is a certified arboretum. There are many historic graves there, including those of three Presidents - two of the United States and one of the only President of the Confederate States of America, Jefferson Davis. After all, Richmond, besides being the present day state capitol of Virginia, was also the capitol of the Confederacy.
Because I wrote a Sunday series on the Civil War several years ago, I'm also including some links to people of interest.
President James Monroe's gravesite.
I do wonder, though - what happens at night?
"H" day on the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.
My genealogy research over the past couple of decades has taken me to many cemeteries. Also, my first ten years I lived across the access road from our small town cemetery. All of my relatives who lived and died in that town are buried there. Certainly not as fancy as your Hollywood Cemetery with its colorful flowers and amazing tombstones and monuments.
ReplyDeletehttp://gail-baugniet.blogspot.com/
G is for: Great Honors Bestowed by Ludwig
H is for: Horrors of War - Province of Prussia
(Theme: very short stories/varied genres)
Alana,
ReplyDeleteCemeteries aren't my favorite place to visit but the old ones are interesting. The headstones are particularly fascinating. The Civil War was a dark piece of American history but you know for as long as the world stands there will be division. Humans can't seem to help themselves to think one race or class is better than another when God created us all equal. Everything we see in others that we like or dislike is somewhere buried inside our own DNA. I can't figure out why those feeling so superior don't realize this but maybe they do but prefer to keep blinders on from the truth. You know outta sight, outta mind kind of thinking. Cool photos of gravesites of some important people from the past.
Catch my latest art sketch in this month's A2Z Challenge. My theme is The Little Mermaid and today's feature is H is for 'HAMMERHEAD' shark!
Cemeteries are so full of history. Thanks for sharing this one.
ReplyDeleteCemeteries are so full of history. Thanks for sharing this one.
ReplyDeleteI am actually not allowed to visit a cemetery unless it is to visit a dead relative. (I have argued that close friends should be included. The advantage of not following my religion in an orthodox fashion.)
ReplyDeleteThere's a cemetery in Long Beach that has a Foucault pendulum. I had no idea it was there until we had gone to Griffith Observatory, and my father remembered there was one closer to home. Fascinating places to explore.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your photos and I also learn things when you travel. Thanks for ENLIGHTENING me through light, color and art. Beth
ReplyDeleteOK, so I'm the one who blogs about murder and stuff throughout this month, but I started reading your cemetery post and thought "how somber" - and those people died from natural causes...
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
https://thethreegerbers.blogspot.com/2019/04/under-arrest-h-is-for-hung-jury.html
I love cemeteries. Living in Connecticut I am surrounded by many historic graveyards and I find it very peaceful and soothing to walk among the stones wondering about their lives. The cemetery where my mother rests is particularly beautiful, and I used to walk there with my children often. There is so much history in cemeteries.
ReplyDeleteThere is one tiny cemetery close to me. Old - maybe only 35 people there. Maintained by the housing development that grew up around it. Pretty neat.
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