Evergreen Cemetery: History in Ruins

Evergreen Cemetery is the final resting place of many notable African-Americans in Richmond, VA. Many of the people buried in the cemetery helped to shape Jackson Ward, a predominately black neighborhood, into a successful section of segregated Richmond during the 1920's. The cemetery is currently in disarray, but efforts to restore it are underway.

[@WhispersFromTheDark]

Bless the hearts of the people working to clean up the cemetery. And rest in peace all who are entered there, you are not forgotten.

[@Lava1964]

When you don't care about preserving your own history...this is an example of what happens.

[@kathyp8212]

Thank you

[@angelahagerman5693]

I remember meeting a family that went out once a month and cleaned up dead weeds and dead flowers on graves. I think unless you are hired to keep up graves the down cline is huge.

[@barrykaiser5560]

I just read the cemetery is going to be restored...THATS GOOD NEWS..

[@coleworld4385]

This video was 7 years ago, I saw one from 4 years ago and it didn’t look any better... looking for newer

[@adesanyais12]

Thanks for watching!!

[@davidbrown8303]

The weeds grow back fast. Has anyone thought of weed killer.? a fast and easy solution to keep the weeds away. I know absolutely nothing about repairing stone gravestones but I'm sure someone would know how. It would probably cost thousands to have new markers made so that is out of the question because you know the volunteers don't have that kind of money. But no doubt when the volunteers are done it will look a hundred times better.

[@KameraShy]

Broken gravestones can be repaired with epoxy. Vegetation killers will prevent weed growth. Also, weeds can be mowed. The usual overgrowth problem is scrub trees and bushes, which take a long time to grow and take hold.

[@adesanyais12]

No problem! Hopefully Evergreen will be restored.

[@christucker3413]

It is sad to see the cemetery in this way, I think that we could uses the city inmates to help clean it up and young kids that's having trouble in school and it just mite help the kids to appreciate life and also teach them the history of some of the people that's there. I hope people would look at it as something positive not punishment.

[@angelahagerman5693]

That's a great idea, Chris

[@KameraShy]

Community service project for the non-confined.

[@namewithheldnamewithheld2725]

If we won't do anything about our history, what are we to do about our future?

[@LachianSean]

You need to update this. 2021. 80% has been cleared..

[@doloresvargas6450]

It is a shame.We must do a better job to address these issues once and for all along with hoarding.Tony

[@angelahagerman5693]

I would love to do something like this...

[@wotan237]

I was there today. Saw evidence of much work being done, trees and bushes cut down, fields mowed etc... But the place is still a huge mess, broken tombstones everywhere ,etc....Found the Mausoleum, the hole in the wall is large, saw at least 3 coffins, like the scene in this video...Gadzooks, why dont the black churches put out a call and get a team down there? If 200 people showed up and worked several days it would work miracles. The Pastors are not doing their job, or is it the stereotype about blacks being scared of graveyards, and they stay away due to their superstition?

[@angelahagerman5693]

People are different now. They don't value their loved ones or anyone else

[@marilynhudson8426]

IN, MY LIFETIME I, HAVE OBSERVED SO MUCH OF THIS IN MANY, CEMETERIES...CREMATION IS MY CHOICE.. CEMETERIES ARE ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE. JUST LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE IN TODAY'S SOCIETY....

[@angelahagerman5693]

Agree

[@RockSolidPro]

great work i rode through there today its a sad issue thanks im willing to help

[@MatthewChenault]

The issue with Evergreen reflects the decline of the black community after the civil rights movement.

[@elizabethguzman9914]

People forget the deads once you passed thats it they get the money ,house left and they moved on with their life. People hasto make time to keep the thumb clean n free of what's but People are tooo busy withe the cel phones .rest in peace all the dead

[@stevewebster9892]

This is what you need to care about, Mr. Flowers, not an oak tree in Jackson Ward.