This weekend, I visited an old cemetery in a nearby city. In fact, the name of this cemetery is "Old City Cemetery". It's located in Lynchburg, VA. In this cemetery are buried 2200 confederate soldiers from 14 different states, which makes it an American historical gem, in my humble opinion. Their website states that 3/4 of the burials there are of African descent. The cemetery was established in 1806. On it's grounds are also a little museum with examples of mourning attire, caskets etc. There is also a Carriage House, which contains an actual hearse used by a local funeral home at the turn of the century; this funeral home is still in operation today. It also contains a much less fancy wooden wagon, made in Lynchburg, that was used for those who could not afford the funeral home hearse. I wish I could've taken pictures of these, but they're in an enclosed area. You can see them through the glass, but I would've loved to have seen them up close. There's also a Station House Museum because of the city's railroad history, as well as a chapel.
Pictured above is an example of a casket that would have been used in the 1800s. The oval opening was for viewing. The other end of the coffin was very narrow. I wish I would have thought to get a picture of that.
Most burials at the cemetery ceased in 1965. The "Scatter Garden" was created in 1996.
Pictured below is where the ashes are scattered.
The names and DOB/DOD of the deceased whose remains are scattered here are placed on this "memorial tablet". This would not be something that I would want for a loved one, but to each his own.
Above is an example of boots worn by a lady in the 1800s. I could not fit my feet in these. Haha.
Women, as was explained to me, were in mourning up to two years. They wore black dresses initially, I believe she said for about 6 months, then eventually transitioned into mauve. Above is an example of a man in mourning. Since their normal attire would often be a black suit, they would tie a black band around their arm.
Pictured above are examples of a woman and child's attire when in mourning. A child was not made to wear black, but would tie a black sash around the waist or pin a black ribbon on.
I was also told that the families of the deceased would often make various things from their loved ones hair. The above bracelet is woven from human hair.
This is the tool they used to weave the hair. Neat, huh?
Interesting African burial customs are noted on this plaque...
As is shown above they would break dishes, vases and the like to supposedly release the deceased person's spirit.
This is a "bottle tree", which was place outside of the home to prevent evil spirits from coming in. The idea was to trap them inside of the bottles. Creepy, but it is what they believed...
The above two items were also on display in the museum.
This cemetery also boasts a lovely array of roses. Saturday was another rainy day and it seemed the flowers were drooping from being so drenched. Will have to go back at another time when it's sunny.
This is a weeping willow tree.... an appropriate place to plant a tree with such a name and, frankly, such a look.
The names and DOB/DOD of the deceased whose remains are scattered here are placed on this "memorial tablet". This would not be something that I would want for a loved one, but to each his own.
Above is an example of boots worn by a lady in the 1800s. I could not fit my feet in these. Haha.
Women, as was explained to me, were in mourning up to two years. They wore black dresses initially, I believe she said for about 6 months, then eventually transitioned into mauve. Above is an example of a man in mourning. Since their normal attire would often be a black suit, they would tie a black band around their arm.
Pictured above are examples of a woman and child's attire when in mourning. A child was not made to wear black, but would tie a black sash around the waist or pin a black ribbon on.
I was also told that the families of the deceased would often make various things from their loved ones hair. The above bracelet is woven from human hair.
This is the tool they used to weave the hair. Neat, huh?
Interesting African burial customs are noted on this plaque...
As is shown above they would break dishes, vases and the like to supposedly release the deceased person's spirit.
This is a "bottle tree", which was place outside of the home to prevent evil spirits from coming in. The idea was to trap them inside of the bottles. Creepy, but it is what they believed...
The above two items were also on display in the museum.
This cemetery also boasts a lovely array of roses. Saturday was another rainy day and it seemed the flowers were drooping from being so drenched. Will have to go back at another time when it's sunny.
This is a weeping willow tree.... an appropriate place to plant a tree with such a name and, frankly, such a look.
Well, this isn't the most pleasant of topics, but I find visiting old graveyards very interesting, especially one with historical significance. As a born-again believer in Jesus, with the promise of the future resurrection of those dead in Christ, graveyards don't bother me. Jesus won victory over death and the grave at Calvary. :)
It's going to be a long week ahead, but am ready to get it started. I so need to cut my grass, but the yard is so wet and it seems we can't get more than a few hours of sunshine at a time these days. Hoping that the Lord will see fit to bless us with a few sunshiney days in this coming week.
