The mausoleum above the James River is beautiful. My pipe and drum band played on the hillside across from it at an Easter Sunrise Service last year. So much of Richmond's history can be seen there. A fascinating place to visit.
I loved walking amongst the markers of so much history. You can truly imagine the people who lived their lives much like we do today and their sorrows (graves of small children) and celebrations of long lives. Fabulous history.
If you love being in a place where you feel a sense of history then make a visit to Hollywood Cemetery. I have been here before and while in the area for 2 weeks I came back four times! It is a beautiful place to walk with views of the James River.The cemetery has many beautiful monuments that are works of art. Presidents Monroe & Tyler are buried here as well as Jefferson Davis. There is an historic area for Confederate soldiers, worth visiting with an amazing monument.The office is helpful if you are looking for a family member and there is a public restroom there.
Very historic cemetery, several presidents buried there, Civil war history. Near the river great view lots of hills great place to walk.
We love walking through cemeteries, reading tombstones, and literally touching history. Hollywood cemetery was breathtakingly beautiful- from its river-view to the hillside slope, to the mammoth headstones and monuments. We did not take a guided tour, as we wanted time to read, and enjoy the beautiful grounds. So much history! from civil war Generals, to soldiers, citizens, even Jefferson David. For the Civil War buff, this is a must see!
Hollywood Cemetery is difficult to walk around as it sits on the bluffs of the James River and is very hilly. However, the effort pays off with a park-like setting and so much history, from the Civil War to presidents. Try the walking tour for a good overview, or wander yourself to see even more.
I enjoy cemeteries - love the sense of history and nostalgia of such places. They seem as a walk through time. In the case of the Hollywood, it is a walk from about the late eighteenth century to the present. Reading the epitaphs is a particular delight. Some are sheer poetry, all are tender and heartfelt. We did not do a guided walk, and perhaps that would have been the way to go, as we did not have a map and that would have been helpful. The stone one in the parking lot at the entrance is not particularly directive, and that assessment might even be generous. Finding the President's burial sites was easy, Jefferson Davis' was curiously not. In your wanderings, look at the names. Bacon Tait too the prize for the day. Turns out, he was a Richmond city councilman and wealthy slave trader that built Lumpkins Jail - a grim and horrible place where blacks were held until they could be sold into slavery. Who knew???
The amount of history just in the tomb stones is unbelievable. Not only that the views are spectacular.
...massive cemetery with many old graves, some from civil war and 2 presidents. Wonder down by the river.
I would never had considered a cemetery as a place of interest but Hollywood Cemetery has so much history. It is worth taking the tour and learning of all the history and folklore of some of the graves. Very historical with President's and military buried here. Worth a visit.