Oakwood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia is estimated to contain the remains of as many as 17,000…read moreConfederate soldiers. During the early months of the war, it was determined that a cemetery needed to be established for the burial of the large numbers of military casualties inflicted by the battles around the Confederate capital. Nearly all of the Confederate dead buried at Oakwood came from the hospitals and camps at the eastern end of Richmond. Men who died at Chimborazo and Howard's Grove hospitals almost always went to Oakwood. The majority of soldiers buried at Oakwood received an individual grave, although during certain periods--they were stacked. Most of the graves with multiple burials contain only two men. There are a very few known instances of 3-5 men in one grave. A South Carolina soldier witnessed the burial process at Oakwood in 1862 and took the time to write about it. "The hearse comes along with its load of corpses and on the brink of each grave it deposited a coffin on which is placarded the name, company and regiment of the soldier whose remains it contained. No vault was dug, the coffin was lowered into this ditch-like grave and without ceremony the dirt was shoved in, and a small board bearing the number of the grave was placed at the head...."

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.

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

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.

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.

This monument in Richmond's Meadow Park is dedicated to the First Regiment of Virginia Infantry…read more There are inscriptions on all four sides but the light wasn't great to capture more than one of them and the soldier on top. On one side, "Erected to the imperishable memory of the valiant fallen of the First Regiment of Virginia Infantry who through seven American wars endured hardships with patience, met defeat with constant courage, did not vaunt their victories and steadfastly kept the faith with God and their country." Of course, Monument Avenue has others but this one is not on Monument Avenue and it's interesting. [Review 11981 overall, 1764 of 2019.]

This experience happened in November but I was so upset that I wanted to wait to calm down before…read morereviewing. My grandmother passed and Bliley's handled the viewing and transfer to Amelia Veterans Cemetery for the service. I ordered a large standing heart to be displayed at her viewing on their site. When I arrived to the viewing it was not there and I spoke with a young man who seemed unconcerned who suggested I call the florist. I explained that I did not know who the florist was as I had ordered through them. He went to an office and wrote down the phone number of a local florist and said I should call them in the morning. I explained to him that the funeral service was in the morning. All of this concerned me that he seemed to be unaware of as he was standing in front of the room for her viewing where all of this was posted. I was very upset that one side of her casket was bare as the other standing arrangement my cousin ordered was there but my matching one was missing for the viewing but the young man assured me that the florist could get it to the service in the morning. Somehow I knew this was impossible if I was calling them when they opened barely an hour before her funeral. But I still called in the morning and surprise, the florist did not have the order and could not help me. I called Bliley's and spoke with someone and explained what had happened again- they were unaware of the issue from the night before so it was like starting from scratch. They then directed me to an outside company that manages their Tribute Wall and said they would call me back. I contacted the other company who acknowledged that they had taken the payment the week prior but that at this point it was too late to send the arrangement to the funeral. You don't say! They said "I guess we will issue you a refund". I said I guess you'd better. I would like to point out that I was calm and courteous during each of these interactions and only during the viewing when I noticed the missing arrangement was I slightly teary eyed because it was the viewing after all. But not ONCE did anyone from Bliley's or their payment processor apologize or say anything resembling an I'm sorry for ruining your memory of your grandmother's service. Not only did they not apologize, Bliley's staff never called me back or even attempted to make the situation right and have the flowers at the service. For something as important as a memorial service or viewing I won't ever recommend a business that ignores issues and doesn't even try to rectify them. Oh I almost forgot! Because they processed my refund they removed the post that I made when I ordered the arraignment on their Tribute Wall from my kids to their great grandmother.

I recently moved to the Richmond area and wanted to modify my final planning which I had with…read moreanother company where I used to live. I met with Mr. Charles "Chuck" Christopher who listened intently to my wishes. I was impressed by Chuck's ability to provide me with a range of services offered by Bliley's without making me feel pressured in any way. Rather, I found Chuck easily created a plan and procedure that is tailored made to my desires. I was made to feel welcomed at Bliley's and my wishes were respected. I feel very good about all the services Bliley will provide and trust them to do an excellent job when the time comes.

I went here for a visitiation of a long time friend's mother. There was dedicated parking for the…read morelocation so that part was easy. They also had people inside directing you to the correct parlor. However, I have not been here in a long time and this place needs some love. The building does not appear to be maintained well... paint, carpet, etc. The room we were in had a flickering overhead light. I have not been here in several years, but it is not in the same condition that I remember it used to be in.

Sam Harrison has been so nice to my family as we have send my Dad onto his final resting place in…read moreheaven. Thanks to Bennett Funeral Home