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.

A tour bus caught on fire just after 4PM today in Hollywood Cemetery.

Thanks to Teresa Birchett for sending in the photos.

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

A follow-up tour takes place on April 12 from 2-4PM:

An extension of the daily “Highlights” tour, this version covers in more detail the cemetery’s unique history, landscape design, architecture, symbols and residents.

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

Highlights Of Hollywood Cemetery DAILY walking tour

Mon May 19 10:00 am
Monday – Saturday (April 1st – October 31st); 10:00-11:30 a.m.; and Saturdays in November 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd 29th, 10:00-11:30 a.m.

Historic Hollywood Cemetery is the final resting place for two U.S. Presidents, writer Ellen Glasgow, Confederate President Jefferson Davis, notable Civil War Generals George Pickett and J.E.B. Stuart, plus thousands of Confederate soldiers. This tour focuses on the history of the cemetery and the famous personalities buried there, as well as the symbolism of the many works of memorial art installed as grave markers.

COST: $10 (cash only) at tour site, $9 in advance; $5 History Center members.

STARTING POINT: Meet your guide at the rear of the stone tructure on the left as you enter the cemetery from Cherry & Albemarle Sts.

http://www.richmondhistorycenter.com

Byrd House Market

Tue May 20 3:30 pm
Veggies, crafts, bread, and more! Every Tuesday, rain or shine.

or more information call 804-643-2717, or visit
http://byrdhousemarket.blogspot.com or email byrdhousemarket@gmail.com

Story Time In the Library

Tue May 20 10:00 am
Mary West delights toddlers and pre-school age kids with her engaging story telling and often has us all moving our cabooses! Tuesdays from 10 -10:30AM at the Grace Arents Free Library

http://www.wbch.org/go/programs/library/

William Byrd Community House
224 South Cherry Street Richmond, Virginia 23220
Phone: 804-643-2717 Fax: 804-225-0297

Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association meeting

Tue May 27 7:00 pm
@ William Byrd Community House (224 S. Cherry St). Meetings are open to all people and anyone living in Oregon Hill is automatically eligible for membership. Meetings are held the fourth Tuesday of every month (except December).

Byrd House Market

Tue May 13 3:30 pm
Veggies, crafts, bread, and more! Every Tuesday, rain or shine.

http://byrdhousemarket.blogspot.com/

Story Time In the Library

Tue May 13 10:00 am
Mary West delights toddlers and pre-school age kids with her engaging story telling and often has us all moving our cabooses! Tuesdays from 10 -10:30AM at the Grace Arents Free Library

http://www.wbch.org/go/programs/library/

William Byrd Community House
224 South Cherry Street Richmond, Virginia 23220
Phone: 804-643-2717 Fax: 804-225-0297

History Hounds Explore Oregon Hill

Sat May 17 10:00 am
Bring your pooch, and join your guide and a representative from Richmond’s SPCA for this fun way to explore some of Richmond’s neighborhoods. Dogs must be current with their shots, mix well with other dogs and remain on their leash for the tour. Owners are asked to bring water and are responsible for cleaning up after their dog. The SPCA will provide clean up bags. Cost is $10. Reservations are required.
TIME: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Meet your guide at the corner of Laurel and Idlewood Streets.

http://www.richmondhistorycenter.com

Highlights Of Hollywood Cemetery Sunday walking tour

Sun May 18 2:00 pm
DATES: April 13th, May 11th, June 8th, July 13th, Aug. 10th, Sept. 14th, Oct. 12th; and every Sunday in November 2nd, 9th, 26th, & 23rd.

This extended tour of Hollywood Cemetery expands upon the daily tour, with an extra 30 minutes of information about cemetery art, architecture, landscape, symbolism, and the famous personalities buried there, including John Tyler, James Monroe and Jefferson Davis.

STARTING POINT: Meet your guide at the rear of the stone structure on the left as you enter the cemetery from Cherry & Albemarle Sts.

Historic Hollywood Cemetery, established in 1847, is the final resting place for two U.S. presidents, Richmond philanthropist Lewis Ginter, writer Ellen Glasgow, Confederate President Jefferson Davis, Civil War Generals George Pickett and J.E.B. Stuart, and thousands of Confederate and Union soldiers. The cemetery lies along the James River on some of Richmond’s most picturesque real estate and is rich in history and symbolism.

Check out this great photo of Hollywood Cemetery by *wanderlust*.

From the Richmond History Center site:

The Inheritance of William Byrd, III, Jacqueline Harvie and Grace Arents significantly impacted the development of Oregon Hill. Visit the century-plus St. Andrew’s Church and School and tour the neighborhood, Home to Hollywood Cemetery.

The Virginia Department of Historic Resources maintains a record of the registration forms for the National Register of Historic Places for properties and neighborhoods around the state, with Richmond heavily represented. Some interesting area forms include those for Hollywood Cemetery (PDF), Oregon Hill Historic District (PDF), Belle Isle (PDF) and St.Andrew’s Church (PDF). The site also includes maps and photos ([1], [2], [3], [4]).