Take a “stroll” through Lynchburg’s historic Old City Cemetery and hear the stories of several of the Hill City’s citizens of yesteryear in OCC’s first professionally filmed version of the fall-time favorite Candlelight Tours. From the comfort of your home, learn about life and struggles during the Civil War, the thoughts of patriots in the […]
Old City Cemetery holds the stories of nearly 20,000 residents buried here for the past 215 years. More recent burials are located “outside the brick wall,” and this tour by OCC staff member Kathy McGlothlin will explore the lives of several special citizens of the 1900s.
Nearly 20,000 people are buried at here at Old City Cemetery. They were rich and poor, black and white, veterans, doctors, nurses, teachers, lawyers, railroad workers, ministers and more. This tour will introduce the life and times of everyday people from Lynchburg’s yesteryear.
Come explore and discover all of the beauty and history hiding in plain sight in the Earley Shrub Garden.Created in memory of Lillian & Harold Earley, the Shrub Garden offers a garden path filled with a wide array of local historic shrubs and trees highlighted by architectural remnants of the City of Lynchburg. Explore our […]
To purchase tickets for this year's Candlelight Tours, click Here
Come learn OCC and Lynchburg's rich 19th century African American history.Join African American history specialist Angelica Walker as she leads a tour highlighting Old City Cemetery’s rich African American history of the 1800s. Hear the stories of educators, businessmen, a nurse, a politician, and many more who contributed to our Lynchburg community.
Come learn about the symbols that adorn the graves of OCC and the meanings behind them. Visit the Cemetery’s “First Acre,” or oldest section that dates back to 1806, with historian Judith Harvey. Learn the meaning of the intriguing carved symbols on many grave markers, from flags to flutes. Dozens of symbols send a silent […]
Let's talk turkey... with all the trimmings. Favorite Thanksgiving dishes of today first appeared centuries ago. Wild fowl became turkey, corn poke and stuffing were added, and it became a national holiday in 1863. Discover the origins of pumpkin pie, football, parades, and more in this tour of the grounds with historian Judi Harvey. Tickets […]
Focusing on Lynchburg African Americans of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Angelica Walker will lead this special Saturday morning tour around the cemetery grounds. Discover the stories of Lynchburg Union soldier Pleasant Whiteley, "sporting lady" Lizzie Langley, and wealthy barber Leander Harrison and you explore the grounds of Old City Cemetery. This tour will take […]
Join OCC Historian Michael Hudson on this tour through the Cemetery that explores the origins of our Christmas traditions and imagery - but through the historical experiences of our residents. Learn how popular symbols of the Season came to be part of our modern Yuletide celebration: Santa Claus, candy canes, Putz Houses, egg nog, mistletoe, […]
All events are sponsored by the Southern Memorial Association.
Please contact us for more information about the Old City Cemetery or any of these events.
SEASONS IN THE CEMETERY
Peak of Bloom for Antique Roses: Last two weeks of May
Peak of Bloom for Lotus Pond: July and August
Peak of Fall Foliage: Last two weeks of October
Peak of Bird Population: First week of June
Peak of Butterfly Population: August
401 Taylor Street
Lynchburg, VA 24501
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Office: (434) 847-1465
