Hi Eric,
I wrote an article back in 1997 with Nancy Rives that discussed the history of the Barton Heights Cemeteries. The city did in fact purchase those African American cemeteries in the 1930s and unfortunately they were in serious disarray when I first moved to Richmond. A descendant of one of the cemeteries' officers made some good progress in getting the site cleaned up in recent years with the city's help, and a state historical marker erected.
Gregg
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From: Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Eric Huffstutler
Sent: Friday, September 05, 2014 9:43 AM
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Subject: [VA-HIST] Evergreen and East End Cemeteries (Richmond, VA)
Re: EVERGREEN and EAST END Cemeteries (Richmond, VA)
I am currently working on a project concerning the historic Evergreen Cemetery here in Richmond, VA as well as the adjacent East End Cemetery.
As most know it is in deplorable condition and has been so for approximately 70 years. it is nearly 70-acres combined with about 5,000 souls buried there. Privately owned, when established in 1891 the charter did not include perpetual care as part of their fees placing the graves upkeep upon the family. Then there were several ownership transactions, some short-lived adding to the disaster. It has gotten to the point one wonders if anything can be done to reverse the ravages of time where nature has turned a once scenic and glamorous cemetery for African-Americans into jungle?
I am also writing a report and article about these cemeteries and have a few questions concerning its background and hoping those knowledgeable on them can help? I have tried contacting author Veronica Davis who has done a lot of research connected with her Virginia Roots, Inc. company but seems that she has distanced herself from it and the company is now abandoned because it is completely down and has been for some time and the S.C.C. is showing she owes back fees.
Can someone enlighten me as to why the city in general, who enforces property maintenance to avoid blight and health issues, does nothing to the owner(s) of the cemetery concerning its condition? That even though the city was buying cemeteries back in the 1930s , those owned by blacks were not purchased but left on their own devices to survive yet, at least prior to 1967 I see the city DID own it per tax assessment records so why wasn’t something done then or did they come to own it then?
And anything anyone can tell me about Metropolitan who also owned it between 1970-1973 and purchased it only to obtain adjacent land naming it Metropolitan Memorial Cemetery complete with perpetual care yet I believe this is now what is dubbed the “new” Evergreen section and it is not maintained by the funds required by those buried there (my last visit shows grass nearly 3-feet tall and the equipment being buried by brush and weeds not having been moved in ages).
I have plenty more but hoping someone can chime in with their views, information, and history about these cemeteries or how I can contact Veronica Davis now? (BTW, I have been in contact with John Shuck and been sharing information with him)
Thanks!
Eric S. Huffstutler
Richmond, VA
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