Episode 222 - Echoes of Richmond's Past: Exploring Shockoe Hill Cemetery with Jeffry Burden
Situated on a hill overlooking the James River and the city of Richmond, Virginia is the iconic Shockoe Hill Cemetery founded in 1820. Over its rolling hills, along its winding paths and beneath the arches of its historic trees, you will find a mix of ornate mausoleums, obelisks, and headstones, reflecting various architectural styles and funerary art. On this latest episode of The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast, Jennie and Dianne are joined by one of Shockoe Hill's long-time guardians, Jeffry Burden, a recently-retired attorney in Richmond, Virginia, and a longtime student of American history, particularly the Civil War and Reconstruction eras. Since 2006, he has been a member of the “Friends of Shockoe Hill Cemetery”, a volunteer citizens group that helps the City of Richmond maintain, improve and interpret the cemetery. Jeffry shares some of the fascinating stories of those who made Shockoe Hill their final resting place and tells of the efforts that go into preserving and maintaining this treasured burial ground. From the graves of Civil War soldiers to the monuments of Richmond's elite, Jeffry's insights bring the history of Shockoe Hill Cemetery to life.
Send us a text! We love hearing from listeners. If you'd like a response, please include your email.
To learn more about Shockoe Hill Cemetery or get involved as a volunteer, visit them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1E9D9a9L2B/
Need an Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast tee, hoodie or mug? Find all our taphophile-fun much here:
https://oecemetery.etsy.com
Jeffry Burden
Jeffry Burden is a recently-retired attorney in Richmond, Virginia, and a longtime student
of American history, particularly the Civil War and Reconstruction eras. Since 2006, he has
been a member of the “Friends of Shockoe Hill Cemetery”, a volunteer citizens group that
helps the City of Richmond maintain, improve and interpret the historic Shockoe Hill Cemetery
near downtown Richmond.
Shockoe Hill Cemetery, created in 1820, is the burial place of Chief Justice John
Marshall, Civil War spymaster Elizabeth Van Lew, four Virginia governors, two United
States Senators, and a host of other fascinating figures from American and Virginia
history. Richmond was the adopted home town of Edgar Allan Poe, and Shockoe Hill is
dotted with the graves of Poe’s friends, enemies and loved ones — including his foster
parents, John and Frances Allan. An estimated fourteen hundred veterans rest there,
among them more than 400 men who served in the War of 1812, perhaps more than any
cemetery in the country.
Since its formation in 2006, the Friends group (often working with lineage societies and
community groups) has worked to repair and reset damaged or fallen markers, order and
place more than 300 government-supplied military markers, design and place interpretive
markers, assist families in placing new private markers, and clean and improve the
Cemetery grounds. The group organizes regular tours and other interpretive events for the
public.
Shockoe Hill Cemetery is on the National Register of Historic Places and t… Read More
Listen On