A visit to Hollywood Cemetery is a journey back through the past 160 years of Richmond’s history. It is the final resting place of key figures, including presidents and generals, artists and writers, as well as thousands of townspeople. The memorials, from simple headstones to impressive mausoleums, all tell a fascinating story, and given its picturesque setting on the banks of the James River, it is not hard to understand its attraction.
Head to the Visitor’s Center at the main entrance to pick up a map and guide book. The cemetery’s design, dating back to 1847, draws on a “rural garden” style, so the layout of the plots does not follow any apparent order. The map will help you locate the most significant headstones, and the guide book will provide you with excellent historical information.
As you enter the cemetery, you’ll discover elaborate mausoleums set into the hillsides. Many are modelled on Egyptian or Romanesque architecture. There are also highly decorated monuments and headstones carved from white marble, as well as 19th-century cast-iron features. The most well-known of these is a cast of a Newfoundland dog that keeps watch over the grave of a young girl.
If you are interested in the history of the American Civil War, make sure you allow a few hours to explore the Confederate Section. 25 Confederate generals are buried here, along with the only Confederate States President, Jefferson Davis, and around 18,000 soldiers. A towering 27-metre granite pyramid stands in commemoration of the lives lost.
Historical walking tours are also available free of charge. Groups set off from the main entrance on Cherry Street at 10 am, Monday to Saturday, between April and October. You will need to phone ahead to reserve your place.
Hollywood Cemetery is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm, or until 6 pm during daylight saving time. Free parking is available, and bus routes pass nearby.
