Thursday, January 15, 2009

Rememberance - Union Hill Cemetery



I am embarassed to admit that I have passed Union Hill Cemetery  for most of my life. It is on a major thoroughfare in a neighborhood where I grew up, raised my children,  and taught school (Shades Cahaba) . Yesterday I pulled over and perhaps "trespassed" in order to take these photographs.  A well preserved resting place for Civil War soldiers, and many families since.  This is such a well kept place and one I felt honored to photograph.
 

19 comments:

Julie said...

The church was torn down when Hwy 280 was improved. This puts me in mind of 'Roon's current series.

alice said...

Topic, light, colors, angle...If I had seen this first shot anywhere else, I would have been able to guess you've taken it, Virginia.
Have you started your French course yet?

Jilly said...

Cemeteries are wonderful places to find great shots. Aside of that I've always loved cemeteries - beautiful statuary, a calm atmosphere, bla bla.

Short update on the girls on Postcards today, Virginia. Longer update tomorrow. Thanks so much for your concern.

Jane Hards Photography said...

My archeologist friend says that it is only trespassing or grave robbing if in "living memory"

Graveyards are eerie and so atmosperic for the photographer. Knoxville Girl has some images this week. You have to see my image today. It's a monster on the beach.

Halcyon said...

I don't think it's considered trespassing if you're respectful. And I'm sure the families would be happy that you are exposing people to the history.

Lovely photos today!

MadAboutParis said...

AHA!!! You've got the cemetery bug now - I knew that you'd cave and become one of us. Next thing you know, www.findagrave.com will be one of your favorites!!!
xx,
M

Janet Kincaid said...

I love photographing cemeteries. And ones with Civil War dead are especially interesting. One of my favorites is Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia.

Tash said...

The first photo is so poignant. I'm so glad someone cares to remember. I inherited a love for cemetaries from my grandma. On a business trip to Macon, I dragged my co-workers to Rose Hills cemetary - it was so beautiful.

Virginia said...

findagrave.com????? I have not caved to that extent Mar! Feel free to give my readers the name of the cemetery in Cincinatti where you are a docent!!
V

Alice, My French class starts next Tuesday night. I wish you were here to be my tutor! I'm a little nervous.

Marie-Noyale said...

Allons allons..ma chere
Come come my dear
..
Nothing to be nervous about!!!
You know so many French people,now..
I almost noticed a Parisian accent when you asked if you could dip your spoon in te big bowl of chocolate mousse!!!!

Virginia said...

M-N,
HA!!! Mais oui! My friend Michael loves that story and has named it the "Never Ending Mousse Bowl" I will work hard so that this summer when we go back I might be able to stumble through a menu. Maybe you'll be there?

Julie, I love 'Roon's series too.

Walker said...

What happened to the church that was torn down for the highway improvement? Did they move or go out of business?

Virginia said...

Walker,
I'm old but apparently not old enough to remember that particular church!HA I do remember a nice little Lutheran Church there when I was in younger. I think it moved not far away.

Kris McCracken said...

Strolling through a cemetray can turn into a real journey through time.

Bob Crowe said...

It is touching that someone still remembers the dead of 140 years ago. The Confederate flag, though, is still an explosive waiting for flame in this country.

Virginia said...

Bob ,
For the grave of a Confederate soldier I think it entirely appropriate.

Thérèse said...

Probably the same ones who created the school you worked for rest here.

-K- said...

Having a camera (and a blog) has pushed me into so many strange corners of LA, including several cemeteries, none of which I would have gone to on my own.

Anonymous said...

I live a few blocks from Union Hill (since 1993); and like you had passed it many times without looking into it. Last fall I too took my camera there to take pictures. It has its magnetic quality.