Richmond, Va.’s Hollywood Cemetery

We had to go to Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Va., so Doug could pay his respects at the graves of two more U.S. Presidents, James Monroe (our fifth) and John Tyler (our tenth).

Monroe’s over-the-top Gothic Revival cast iron canopy (aka “The Birdcage”) was registered as a National Historic Landmark in 1968.

Interestingly, Monroe was not buried here until 27 years after his death.

A fun fact about Tyler’s burial is that his was the only president’s death not to be officially recognized in Washington D.C. due to his allegiance to the Confederate States of America. I can’t help but thinking that’s an odd thing to take a stance on –- how do you not recognize a death, especially one where you might already be feeling “he’s dead to us?”

Lovely trees were in bloom throughout the cemtery.

Speaking of the Confederate States of America, their president, Jefferson Davis, is also buried here. I asked Doug if this counted as a presidential site, but he refused to get out of the van to even take a closer look, so I guess that answers that.

I was glad to see there were no worshipful mementos left at the site; I assume the cemetery must clean them up, but then we saw plenty at another grave later on.

There are 28 Confederate Generals buried at Hollywood, more than anywhere else in the country, including George Pickett and J.E.B. Stuart.

In 1869, a 90-foot-high granite pyramid was erected as a memorial to the more than 18,000 Confederate Army soldiers buried in the cemetery.

90-foot-high Confederate memorial, with Doug for scale.

These trees were shedding petals throughout the park, and I thought it just looked absolutely lovely.

The 135-acre cemetery was established in 1847; it was designed as a “garden cemetery”, a style popular at the time. I will say, it was a beautiful cemetery, with lovely trees and landscaping throughout, with a view of the James River often visible. The name “Hollywood” came from the holly trees that covered the property.