Saturday, December 18, 2010

The Interment Ledger - Oak Hill Cemetery


I've posted numerous photos from Birmingham's first public cemetery, Oak Hill.  Located just across from the BJCC to the north, this cemetery is a like reading the who's who of Birmingham's founding fathers.  Director Stuart Oates gives a marvelous tour and always begins it in the tiny chapel that now houses his office.  The Interment Ledger is always of great interest.  The record of each and every person buried here is recorded in beautiful handwriting of days gone by.  He always points out the cause of death column.  Fever, bronchitis, pneumonia and of course the deadly cholera epidemic  ( 1872) that devastated this city are often mentioned.

I often take my photography students here as many of the monuments are still quite beautiful, and we of course,  look forward to Stuart's commentary.

12 comments:

Chuck Pefley said...

For once I'm speechless -:)

Dina said...

Very very moving.

Kate said...

Great place for a history lesson. Since tourists trapse around Paris cemeteries (I have photos taken there of my own, too), why not here in the USA, also? But, I have never known of this kind of tour; guess I'll see if I can find one in the Twin Cities. I have had a self-guided tour of our large military cemetery, which next to yours is woefully inadequate for organized information. Fascinating!

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SRQ said...

Wonderful capture -- love it.

Unknown said...

This is so interesting, V.! And the composition is just great. Well done.

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Bob Crowe said...

But it's a story with such a slow-moving plot and everyone can figure out how it ends!

MadAboutParis said...

AND how interesting that Blacks & Whites were buried in the same cemetery...
@Kate - I'm a docent at historic Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati - if you are ever down this way I'll be glad to give you a tour!

Jilly said...

How fascinating. The story and the shot. I love this photo, Virginia.

Juergen Kuehn said...

I'm thrilled about the story and your picture. I love ancient manuscripts - notably cursive handwriting!
Greetings
JK

TheChieftess said...

My first thought when I saw this was that it looked like it should be in Ellis Island...a ledger of who immigrated when...

What wonderful history you have in B'Ham Ms V!!!

Nathalie said...

How very moving.
Hand written ledgers and documents are such a dip in time!