A little History of the Old City Cemetery Lynchburg Va
The 26-acre site is an arboretum of 19th-century trees, shrubs, and flowers. Of particular fame are the hundreds of antique roses which reach their peak of bloom in mid-May. The Old City Cemetery, established in 1806, is one of the oldest public cemeteries in the United States that has been in continuous use since its founding.
More than 20,000 people are buried here—most before 1925—including political, religious, social, and cultural leaders, the city’s indigent and “strangers,” veterans of every major American war and conflict, and over 2,200 Confederate soldiers from 14 states. Three quarters of those buried here are African and Native American, both free and enslaved. More than one-third are infants and young children.
The Southern Memorial Association, a non-profit organization originally formed in 1866 to care for the graves in the Confederate Section, has led a citizen effort since 1993 to rehabilitate the often neglected Cemetery. The City of Lynchburg’s Department of Public Works now has a unique partnership with the Southern Memorial Association to provide routine maintenance and horticultural care for the sacred grounds.The management of the Chapel is the responsibility of the non-profit Southern Memorial Association. SMA staff will be glad to answer questions and assist with planning details for your event.
Situated on a bluff in Lynchburg's historic Old City Cemetery amidst ancient graves, small museums, antique roses and flowering shrubs, and overlooking a natural dell and pond, the Chapel is unique and beautiful. It provides a charming setting for weddings, recitals, lectures, memorial services and other special occasions.
Built to commemorate the 200-year anniversary of the founding of Lynchburg's Old City Cemetery in 1806, the non-denominational Chapel is both functional and inviting. Completely handicapped accessible and climate controlled, the building’s ambience transports the visitor to a different era of a simpler, more humble life with the warmth of old building materials and the charm of architectural details of early craftsmen.
Also held at the chapel are weddings, meetings, recitals, lectures, and memorial services are all occasions easily accommodated in the charming little Chapel at the Old City Cemetery. Small groups of 50 adults (perhaps 60 if children are included) can be seated in the 100-year-old handmade pews.
The Columbarium is located beneath the chapel at the Old City Cemetery in Lynchburg, VA. It provides 288 niches for permanent storage of cremains in a tasteful, secure room. Twelve crypts installed beneath the brick floor of the columbarium allow for the burial of caskets or cremains in a very special setting. Both niches and crypts are available to the general public. The chapel meets the changing needs of the community and keeps the Cemetery open to citizens of all segments of society.
On the walls are sealed niches containing the cremains of Lynchburg citizens. Beneath the brick floor are crypts for in-ground burials. On the opposite wall is a lovely, peaceful terracotta image. It was cast in 1875 and salvaged from an old public building in Kentucky. It is over 130 years old. We call it “Peace.” Flanking it are two antique Scottish chimney caps holding arrangements of greens. The floor is laid of old patterned bricks salvaged from sidewalks in the older parts of downtown Lynchburg.
There is so much more to share at this unique cemetery that is rich in history. This is a small sample of what is here. So I will be sharing more on blogs to come.
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