How do you rate a cemetery? In all my years as a Virginian, this was my first visit here, which was…read moreon Memorial Day weekend. Fitting. I didn't realize that most of those buried here are Union soldiers. But it also includes World War,I and II veterans. It is well kept and has several monuments to commemorate their service and valor. You will notice the stark temperature difference walking in and out of the gate. At least 10° cooler inside. But have no fear. There are no spooky vibes.

Ann H, the first reviewer, of this location, is spot on. My husband told me about this cemetery…read morespot and the history behind it and we were able to check this spot out after our short hick around the Cold Harbor trail. It's a really beautiful location to see and just good to know. I wish I could add more to this, but I would honestly just read Ann's review. A must see!

This is different…read more Glendale is one of the National Cemeteries laid out in a circle with a flagpole at the hub. For that reason, it doesn't have the same impact of the straight lines of white markers. At least at first glance. If you look closely, however, there's still some symmetry. It forces the viewer to leave behind the orderly analysis of rows and instead evaluate the circle and what it represents. The circle isn't perfect. I suppose it could be if those who laid it out had planned it. It's a disrupter. Because there are a lot of burials from the Civil War era, with the battlefield not far down the road, the unevenness of the circle is likely a testament to how unplanned things were at the time. It's a pretty setting, though. Not many homes, a lot of open space and old, large trees. The cannon, sitting with the flag at the center documents the burial numbers. Seeing that and then the circle of white markers and the map of the battle that started it all, is a must for anyone with an interest in history. It's an unusual setting

Tiny visitors center for the nearby battlefield of Malvern's Hill. The highlight is the terrain map…read morewith lights that show the flow of the battle. I met two very informative guides here, who ironically I would meet the next day at the Civil War visitors center at Tredegar. The visitors center also has a small museum of battlefield artifacts. I didn't examine the cemetery closely, but you can see the gravestones of soldiers who lost their lives at Malvern Hill.

Surrounded by businesses, residences, and with an entrance along a Main Street, this smallish…read morecemetery only a short straight drive from Richmond National Cemetery has no parking available. I stopped into a nearby convenience store to grab a soda and ask about parking. One of the owners generously offered to let me park in his lot. It was a kind gesture I much appreciated. Although it's in the middle of a bustling area, once inside the brick walls, the noise diminishes. Perhaps because your focus moves from the traffic to the view. It's about two acres and part of a Civil War battlefield. I was expecting mostly older headstones and was surprised to see markers up to and through the Gulf War. There's a tie to the recent and the local. Most of the trees, save one or two, are around the perimeter of the cemetery outside the wall. I didn't count seven pine trees for which this place was named, there may have been, but there were more than seven trees of some kind and that was close enough. Here I saw no headstones lost to large trees, unusual in a cemetery with origins to the Civil War. On the list of what this cemetery doesn't have, besides parking, easy access, buried or damaged headstones, there are also no huge markers or monolithic headstones of some military officer. It's just a simple historic cemetery with ties to the small town around it. Seven Pines probably gets lost in the attention of that larger neighbor and with no available parking, and an adjoining sidewalk a gasp away from the heavy and rushing traffic, that's a disservice, I think. It's a nice place, full of history, and worth more than a diversionary glance as you wait in your car for the traffic light to change.

Stopped here after visiting the forts. As we were walking around a caretaker happened to be there…read moreand gave us some information. He also gave us a flag, very nice. This is a Union cemetery. He said this is one of the only cemeteries with United State Colored Tripp's buried in it. Not sure if that is just in the Richmond cemeteries. The grave stones say USCT on them. The smaller grave markers were soldier body parts that couldn't be identified. Over 760 soldiers from numerous wars.

On the third National Cemetery visit for this Memorial Day, I found Fort Harrison a pretty spot…read more Unlike some others, where the town built up around the site, this cemetery is in the country with only a few nearby homes. Smaller than most, with origins in the Civil War, it's a picturesque setting. The big shade trees and a small bench near some flower bushes make this park-like. That's appropriate, I suppose. It allows time to stop, sit, and reflect. Walking through the cemetery, I came across a bright bouquet of flowers. The flowers stood out even amongst the flags. In an older cemetery, it isn't often I come across this view, at least in the middle of the older headstones. Small towns are amazing places. The bouquet, from a local florist, was delivered to the cemetery with instructions to place it on the site of an "unknown soldier". And it was. I don't know how they chose the unknown, as there were several here, but that someone somewhere wanted to show appreciation and honor an unknown soldier on this Memorial Day weekend is impressive. Visit this spot. Take a moment or two and appreciate the setting; appreciate what it represents.

I went here on a Saturday morning. It is free to visit. Took a paid 90-minute historic walking tour…read more(Highlights of Hollywood Cemetery Walking Tour) by The Valentine. Tour started at the entrance and we went to notable spots. We were only 7 in the tour. Our tour guide Doug who has been doing it for 14 seasons was very knowledgeable. He shared interesting facts, architectural/art styles, history of people and places/Richmond. We saw the iron dog, graves of the 2 US presidents (John Monroe's Tomb and John Tyler's Monument), Lewis Ginter Mausoleum, Palmer Chapel Mausoleum (and the overlooks on its sides), among others. It was a nice tour. I learned a lot. If you plan to go there on your own, there's a map from the website that you can download and use where there are markers for the notable spots. Google Maps does not have these spots in it. The restroom can be found on the left shortly after entering the cemetery. Lewis Ginter Mausoleum shows Victorian era architecture. When you peek through the door, you would see the nice Tiffany glass artwork behind. With its history, nice views overlooking the James River, the peaceful and quiet environment, this is a place worth checking out.

This cemetery is beautiful and big. Lots of unique headstones. It's sprawling with lots of hills so…read morewear your walking shoes.

There's something about this place…read more As I walked through this cemetery, straightening flags that had tilted or fallen in the wind, I heard a bird cry. It kept up the cry and I looked toward the sky and saw a large bird circling. I'd like to think it was an eagle; it looked like it, but might have been another large bird. Because it was circling a small area there must have been a nest nearby. The farther away from the center of the cemetery I moved, the less the bird circled. An eagle would be an awesomely appropriate guardian for a national cemetery. No one could have planned it better. A traditional national cemetery in setup and feel, there's a history of interments dating back to the Civil War. This is one of the few from that era in which I was not overwhelmed with the number of "unknowns". It came together for me on this visit when I met a man visiting the site where both his mother and father were buried. We spoke for a few moments and he brought it all back to what it's about for him: This is his history. There, as he pointed to the gravesite, is where he came from. He wanted his kids to see and feel that connection because that's what was important. He felt centered again. That's what a visit to a national cemetery is all about. Feeling centered.

An aerial view of historic City Point National Cemetery and Petersburg National Battlefield - City…read morePoint Unit. https://youtu.be/zlamfMui5d0 https://youtu.be/iAH2FTZq8gg

This is a local attraction that can easily be missed. It is located right off of a highway entrance…read moreramp and on the Historic Slave Trail. The grounds are well maintained and kept. It is opposite of the side that the Lumpkin Slave Jail is located. You can take an underpass to walk freely between the two sites. This was the first designated burial spot for the city's enslaved and free residents of African ancestry, dating back to as late as 1799. This one and a half acres was considered poor quality and had no other use but the cemetery. It was also the site of public hangings. Other names the site has been known as Potter's Field, were Burying-ground for Coloured persons, Grave Yard for Free People of Color" and Grave Yard for For Slaves You will find a memorial obelisk here with a plaque dedicating the cemetery. Their is also a spot with a couple of information placards that look likes a spot that people hold rituals and leave sacrifices/personal effects. The vast majority of the grounds is low cut green space. Additionally, there is a vacant and decrepit building there. I do not know what it was prior, but it looks historical. This is a nice place to visit. I would not consider it a long stop, so I would probably couple it with a visit to the old Lumpkin Slave Jail and other nearby attractions to maximize your time.

Be on the look out because this landmark is easy to miss.This plaque is located on a bridge that…read moregoes over a park. Attached to the plaque is a rope going over the bridge and at the end of the rope is a noose. The area below was closed due to construction at the time of my visit. I apologize for no further information.

When I visit other old cities, I always find myself in their cemeteries, so how is it I've only…read morejust visited this one in my very own city! It's pretty well-kept. There's a map of notable burials. The love of Edgar Allan Poe's life, Sarah Emira Royster Shelton's remains are there, as well as Chief Justice John Marshall and others. Go and enjoy if you dig old cemeteries. Lots of history here.

Shockoe Hill Cemetery is a peaceful and semi well-kept historic cemetery that opened in 1820. It…read moreoffers 13 acres of late Victorian and exotic revival style stones throughout the cemetery. I came here for the sole purpose of seeing where former Chief Justice John Marshall laid to rest. I was very pleased to also see the grave of Elizabeth Van Lew, whom was known as a great Union spy during the Civil War. Plus, others relevant to Edgar Allan Poe's adult life in Richmond. This is located by a couple of other cemeteries that we didn't see, but would be worth seeing. The Hebrew Cemetery across the street is known to be one of the oldest Jewish cemeteries in the US. Lovely location with beautiful graves. It just needs some more TLC to be at its best.