Please join us for grave recording. As a grave recorder, you will help to end the cycle of neglect at Evergreen by learning about the intricacies of preserving the African American legacies at Historic Evergreen Cemetery. The grave recording team will work on tens of thousands of graves, measuring them, recording epitaphs, taking pictures, recording locations, and much more. Under instructions from the Department of Historic Resources, you will inventory the grave markers in preparation for future restoration at Evergreen. 

 

All tools will be provided. Wear closed-toe, waterproof shoes and long pants. We will be getting dirty because we often uncover lost gravestones.

 

 

After turning onto Evergreen Road (also labeled Bulheller Rd.) at the large white sign, please continue driving past East End Cemetery on your right until you drive through two white pillars labeled “Evergreen Cemetery”. Look for the yellow directional signs.

You can then park in two guest parking lots within the cemetery, or along the paved loop as you enter to the right.

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Historic Evergreen Cemetery:

Evergreen Cemetery is a historic African-American cemetery, created in 1891 and located in Richmond’s East End. It is the resting place for many of Richmond’s African-American leaders of the 19th and 20th centuries, including Maggie L. Walker, John Mitchell, Jr., and Rev. J. Andrew Bowler. There are an estimated 10,000 plots in Evergreen, most of which have become overgrown after over 40 years of neglect.

Due to the delicate nature of the headstones, use of heavy equipment is very limited and clean up by hand is necessary to preserve this part of our region’s history. Your volunteer time is crucial to the success of this project as we reclaim and maintain the cemetery.