hollywood cemetery

GTWD

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.

lswendell

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???

Truthfulviews

We didn't do the guided tour because we got there later in the day. We first parked in the first lot across from the office and started walking towards the grave sites to find Presidents Munroe and Tyler and Confederate President Davis' burial site. After about 20 minutes of walking - it's hilly - we decided to head back to the car to drive because the cemetary was so big. When we got into the car I noticed the granite map where we parked. The map explained how to follow the blue line on the road to find these famous graves. We also saw the James River and we got pictures of the sky line.

PetePope1

Presidents, senators, famous locals and others buried here in this peaceful spot overlooking the James River.

X4101ARkathleenm

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.

MsAbbey

The most interesting and beautiful cemetery I ever saw! Who would think you could have such an experience in a cemetery? We went when snow was on the ground and it was a bit rainy - a wonderful thing to do in bad weather - it created such an aura. The security guard stated that we were the first to arrive that day even though it was getting late - surprising people didn't venture out to see this on a cold winter day. Must be absolutely gorgeous when trees and flowers are in bloom. Historically amazing - apparently a details to read are available online - I would suggest reading this before going but if you don't you still will want to read up on it. Help preserve this treasure by giving a donation also. There is no admission fee.

Teesie28385

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!

marywS9804UT

Hollywood Cemetery has been one of my favorite spots in Richmond for over 30 years. It sits overlooking the river and is styled in the early 19th century style with large trees, very old and diverse headstones. There are many famous people's burial sites to see, but the best aspect is the view of Richmond and the from the bluff.

billjohn4

...massive cemetery with many old graves, some from civil war and 2 presidents. Wonder down by the river.

wrrocww

The amount of history just in the tomb stones is unbelievable. Not only that the views are spectacular.

FayK348

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.

murielw299

A site to be seen by all visitors to Richmond. This vast and beautiful Cemetry is the final resting place of several Presidents, as well as Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy, numerous Confederate Generals, and the graves of many thousand Confederate Unknown Soldiers whose graves are marked with small Confederate flags, a concentrated tribute to the lost and a visual remembrance of the cost of war.

Pam23188

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.

864suel

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.

Pen918

Very historic cemetery, several presidents buried there, Civil war history. Near the river great view lots of hills great place to walk.