One of my favorite cemeteries in the Nashville area is the Nashville City Cemetery. It’s the “oldest continuously operated public cemetery in Nashville.”1 It opened on January 1, 1822, and by 1850 contained over 11,000 graves of people from every race, religion, and walk of life.
Fun Fact: Not everyone who “moved in” stayed. Civil War soldiers from both sides originally buried in the City Cemetery were later moved. As were other people, whose families’ wanted them relocated to new family plots.
Normal citizens, as well as people who played vital roles in both state and national history, are buried in the cemetery’s hallowed grounds. The easiest and most entertaining way to learn about these people is by attending the Cemetery’s Annual Living History Walk.
Every year, local actors “bring to life” a handful of different cemetery occupants—both famous and not—allowing the visiting public to hear first-hand about their lives. Some stories are sad, reminding us of the struggles and hardships faced by people who lived here in the past. Others are uplifting and inspiring, making us marvel at what they accomplished in a time before modern conveniences. Regardless of the emotion these stories evoke, the glimpse into the past they provide is always fascinating.
Living History Walks are not exclusive to Nashville. They are common around the country, and the older a cemetery is, the more interesting its residents. Today you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your home to take a tour. Just Google the city or cemetery you’re interested in. There’s a good chance someone has already taken the tour and uploaded the video to YouTube. (Because of the coronavirus, Nashville City Cemetery’s 2020 Living History Walk is being recorded and put online. I’ll post a link on Facebook as soon as the information is available.)
Reenactors aren’t the only ones telling stories in cemeteries . . . but more about that next week.
1http://www.thenashvillecitycemetery.org/history.html
Historical Marker at the Nashville City Cemetery entrance.
During his confinement, this prisoner carved wooden grave markers for fellow inmates who died during a cholera epidemic.
A Fisk Jubilee Singer preparing to entertain.
Doctor, Scientist…Roman Soldier?
This scene wasn’t scary at the time, but looking at the photo now . . . Hmm, maybe it’s the doll.
I enjoyed your post on the Nashville City Cemetery. It brought back memories of the fall we went on the Living History Walk through that cemetery.
Thanks. Writing it brought back a lot of good memories for me, too. I hate that it wasn’t live this year, but I’m looking forward to seeing which cemetery occupants they will “bring to life” online for 2020.