Gregg, could you please point me to some news articles that mentions the purchases? I know in a newspaper interview Ms. Davis mentioned they did not and so were left to their own devices to survive. But at the same time I see that the city did own both Evergreen and East End at one point prior to 1967 and when Metropolitan took over Evergreen in 1970, were seeking back taxes for 1964-1967. Who dropped the ball when the city had control and when did it let go? There seems to be a gray area there even on the tax assessment card.
On the other hand the city sees no value in the land either as the 59.2 acres that are in the City of Richmond are only appraised at $12,000 while only 3,000 sq feet of land in Church Hill is appraised at around $40,000.
This is serious business and I am serious about tackling this so if anyone can help I would truly appreciate ANY bits of information you may know about the owners past and present and situations attracted to them.
Thanks!
Eric
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kimball, Gregg (LVA)
Sent: Friday, September 05, 2014 12:08 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [VA-HIST] Evergreen and East End Cemeteries (Richmond, VA)
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
-----Original Message-----
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
To: [log in to unmask]
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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