New Hollywood Cemetery River Overlook

From Hollywood Cemetery’s FaceBook page:

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The first of our three new James River overlooks is complete! Extensive landscaping will begin this fall.

A special thanks to the James River Garden Club, the Dominion Foundation, Richard S. Reynolds Foundation, and the Bob and Anna Lou Schaberg Fund at the Virginia Nonprofit Housing Coalition for making this new addition possible

Highlights of Hollywood Cemetery (Evening Walking Tour)

From event page:

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Tomorrow, June 9, at 6 PM – 7:30 PM

Meet at the rear of the stone structure on the left at the cemetery entrance at Cherry and Albemarle streets.

Established in 1847, Hollywood Cemetery is a magnificent example of the rural garden style cemetery and was one of America’s first parks. Learn about the cemetery’s history, artwork, symbolism, and some of the more famous of its over 80,000 residents, including well-known writers, politicians, Confederate notables and two United States presidents.

$15 per person.
$5 for Valentine Members.
Walk-ups welcome.
Cash or check.
On-street parking.

This tour is presented as part of the Richmond History Tours program, a service of the Valentine. We offer a full schedule of walking and bus tours of city neighborhoods, waterways, parks, retail districts, historic sites and battlefields.

Hollywood Cemetery Civil War Walking Tour Saturday

From The Valentine Museum website:

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From the Pyramid monument in the Confederate section to the gravesite of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, high above the James River, Hollywood Cemetery is the final resting place for over 18,000 Confederates, including J.E.B. Stuart, George Pickett, Fitzhugh Lee and many others. Meet at the rear of the stone structure on the left at the entrance at Cherry and Albemarle streets.

2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Hollywood Cemetery, 412 S. Cherry Street, Richmond, VA 23220
$15 per person
$5 for Valentine Members
Walk-ups welcome.
Cash or check, or purchase online.
On-street parking.

This tour is presented as part of the Richmond History Tours program, a service of the Valentine.

President James Monroe’s Birthday Memorial On Thursday

From Hollywood Cemetery and the FaceBook event page:

President James Monroe’s birthday celebration is an annual event at Hollywood Cemetery. A gravesite presidential wreathlaying ceremony will be hosted by the James Monroe Memorial Foundation. The event will begain at 11:0am, but is subject to any changes by the Army, which conducts the ceremony.

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Don’t forget to RSVP for the upcoming Friends Of Hollywood Annual Picnic.

Friends of Hollywood Picnic Scheduled For May 1st

From Hollywood Cemetery and the FaceBook event page:

Join us for an annual tradition that dates back to the 1800s! Pack a picnic basket, bring a blanket or chairs, and relax to sounds of great entertainment in one of Richmond’s most beautiful settings! A hot dog truck and ice cream truck will be on hand. Trolley tours will also be available.

The picnic is free to attend, but we do ask that you RSVP in advance. Please email nshepherd@hollywoodcemetery.org to make reservations.

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5th Annual 5K Run/Walk to Remember On Saturday

This Saturday, starting at 8 am is the 5th Annual 5K Run/Walk to Remember.

From Virginia War Memorial website:

Join us as we honor and remember the sacrifice of our United States military both past and present. The 5K race starts and finishes at the Memorial with a special Kids Fun Run. Memorial flags, each with the name of a deceased veteran or KIA, are placed at the finish line, reminding everyone of the purpose of this event. All funds benefit the Virginia War Memorial Foundation’s education programs.

Description in Richmond Family Magazine:

Join hundreds of active servicemen and women in uniform for this walk/run. The course starts and ends at Virginia War Memorial and includes a trek through Hollywood Cemetery and Oregon Hill.

Va. War Memorial and Hollywood Cemetery To Collaborate On ‘Tunnel of Honor’

The Virginia War Memorial and Hollywood Cemetery directors are announcing planning has started for a giant new collaborative project, “The Virginia Tunnel of Honor”, that will connect the two institutions.

Design specifications are still in their infancy, but the concept is to expand upon the already planned underground parking garage expansion for the War Memorial and build a pedestrian tunnel from that point that would go underneath Belvidere Street roughly at Holly Street and have a corresponding entrance in Hollywood Cemetery. The tunnel, which would be roughly 60 feet underground at its deeper points, would be very finished and allow wheelchair access. It may include a branch tunnel to the North Bank trail area, if the City approves the concept.

The overall theme of this new collaboration would build upon the underground nature of the project and would be dedicated to “Virginia’s Fallen Secret Warriors” who have fought and died in clandestine conflicts around the world and throughout American history. This will include honoring ‘secret veterans’ previously and newly buried in Hollywood Cemetery.

Because of new, quiet tunneling technology, project organizers have told Oregon Hill residents that they will not be disturbed by this additional new construction, which will take at least three years to finish. Construction is not expected to start for at least another year.

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