Ed Ayers tours Hollywood Cemetery for BackStory

in memory

BackStory is a smart history radio show/podcast whose May 2010 show Grave Matters: A History of Death and Mourning includes an Ed Ayers tour of Hollywood Cemetery:

On each show, renowned U.S. historians Ed Ayers, Peter Onuf, and Brian Balogh tear a topic from the headlines and plumb its historical depths. Over the course of the hour, they are joined by fellow historians, people in the news, and callers interested in exploring the roots of what’s going on today. Together, they drill down to colonial times and earlier, revealing the connections (and disconnections) between past and present.

Highlights of Hollywood

The Valentine Richmond History Center’s Highlights of Hollywood walking tour will be April 1 from 10-11:30AM:

Learn about the cemetery’s history, artwork and symbolism, as well as the famous personalities buried there, including two U.S. Presidents, writer Ellen Glasgow, Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Generals George Pickett and J.E.B. Stuart.

Meet your guide at the rear of the stone structure on the left at the cemetery entrance at Cherry and Albemarle Streets. $10 (Pay your guide on the day of the tour. ) Members: $5

Continue reading

got 30 or 40 miles in you?

Richmond Area Ridefinder has word on a great ride leaving out of Oregon Hill in a few hours:

The Mamma Zu ride begins at 9:30 A.M., Monday, January 19 from the intersection of Spring and Pine Streets in Richmond’s Oregon Hill neighborhood.

Challenge. Ride 40 (or 30) miles along the James River with temperatures in the low thirties. Climb several short and some steep hills, and the two-mile Old Gun hill.

Reward. Scenic views of the James River and forest lined roads, some fast descents, and post ride lunch with cycling friends at Mamma Zu.