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Saturday, August 8, 2009

~~~ What Can I Say ~~~

Elmwood Cemetery



We love to visit cemeteries where ever we travel... Sometimes they are full of old headstones and ornate ones... Some extravagant and some simple... Sometimes they are full of historic information and sometimes just really old headstones you can barely read. We have visited many cemeteries across this country of ours and the Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis has been added to our list. Elmwood Cemetery is one of the most beautiful historic cemeteries in the South. Established in 1852 as a rural garden cemetery, it has 80 acres of rolling grounds, flowering dogwoods, crepe myrtles, Magnolia trees, ancient towering trees, and impressive memorials among winding paths and lanes. Elmwood Cemetery, the Office Cottage, and the Entry Bridge are all on the National Register of Historic Places.





When you arrive there you can purchase (for a small fee) a CD which takes you through the cemetery and narrates the headstones and significant ares. There is an area where 1400 people who died from the yellow plague are buried, then an area where Confederate and a few Union soldiers are buried, A Chinese section, and even a section of people who donated their bodies to research and science.


The one impressive monuments that we always see in old cemeteries are tree trunks with Ivy climbing up them. They were scattered all through this cemetery. Now I have seen these before but I didn't know that it symbolized something. The Ivy signifies - Immortality, Friendship, Faithfulness and because it is an evergreen that clings while climbing, it signifies the need for protection. Since it grows quickly, it also symbolizes regeneration, sensuality and revelry. ... Tree trunk signifies - Brevity of life ... A life cut short.

We took over 200 pictures. It was hard to choose which ones to share with you... Please enjoy the pictures of Elmwood Cemetery




After we left the cemetery we headed over into old Memphis to see an area they called Victorian Village ... Originally in it's hey day it was called Millionaires Row...I was pretty excited about seeing these huge homes but when we got there I was a little disappointed that the homes were in such bad shape. They are magnificent homes but in need of a lot of work... I later found out that the city has cut the budget for the homes... Here are a few pictures



The Harsson-Goyer-Lee House (ca. 1841) was once the home of riverboat owner James Lee. This striking eclectic-style Victorian had been unused for years,



Woodruff-Fontaine House is a beautiful French Victorian mansion which was built in 1870 along "Millionaires Row" & was the home to two prominent Memphis families.



The Massey House (ca. 1847), was built for


Benjamin A. Massey, an early Memphis lawyer.



The Mallory - Neely house was built in 1852, the 25-room home contains stenciled and hand painted ceilings, parquet flooring, and stained-glass windows purchased at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. The Mallory-Neely House is the only historic property in Memphis to retain most of its original furnishings. Once opened to tour it is now closed to budget cuts.

I hope you enjoyed some more of the sites you can see when visiting Memphis

We have move on to Hot Springs, Ar and will have more pictures soon!


Until Later

Hugs And Kisses
RV

21 comments:

Jerry and Suzy said...

We also enjoy visiting cemeteries, but apparently not as much as you do. Yes, the old historic monuments, even the unreadable stones, draw the mind to dreaming about people long gone.

Didn't know about ivy and tree stumps. Thanks for the info.

Budgets have had to be cut for so many services -- better to cut funds for old houses than for child care!

We spent a week in Hot Springs last year. We're anxious to see what you find. Are you aware of the three glass chapels in northwest Arkansas? They are splendid, if a bit of a drive from Hot Springs. One is right outside of town. You can find all three on one of our blog posts from June 2008.

Anonymous said...

You know what I think about visiting cemeteries, gives me the creeps.....:) But, now those homes I could look at all day long. I will have to say though the cemetery we went to in Vermont was awesome. I really enjoyed that one. And of course the Civil War ones we have been to.

Love Ya,
Chris

Sue said...

is it my eyes or does the first picture in the clips have ghosts in it?? I see ghosts!! Great pics again Donna, have fun in Arkansas! xoxo

Melissa Miller said...

~WOW! It sure is a beautiful cemetary Donna. Lovely pics.

Have a wonderful weekend.
~Melissa :)

Dawn Marie said...

great photos, and once again I love your life Donna..its amazing that you can do this and share this with a grandchild. truly a gift.

Isnt that just pathetic that these homes are left to sit due to budget cuts. I wonder if some of those clowns in the white house and our government all gave up some of their goodies, truly we would have enough to preserve this nations history.

Lenore said...

Wow!!!!!!...I didn't know there were a lot of people out there who loved old cemeteries....I know that people like me who are family genealogists visit them for any and all info but I also like them just for the history and reading the old headstones.

Carole Burant said...

One of my favourite things to do is visit old cemeteries! I just find them so fascinating. What a great idea to have a cd to listen to, to point you out to different areas of the cemetery and who is buried there!!! I wish all cemeteries would do that, especially when there are some headstones that you can't make out the writing on them anymore. I so enjoyed your pictures:-)

Such beautiful old houses as well, can you imagine being able to live in one of those!! I'm loving following you around on your trip:-) xoxo

cindy said...

We like visiting old cemetaries and looking at old historic homes too. Looks like there are quite a few of us out there...(except for maybe Chris). What was the swing in the cemetary about? Thanks for letting us tag along on your adventure! ~Cindy~

Diana said...

It never ceases to amaze me how interesting cemeteries are. And you found a great one! Love the story about the ivy and tree stumps.

Ginger said...

I love visiting cemetaries too, especially the real old ones. I like to read all the headstones. (my kids think I am weird, lol)
I also love seeing the old homes. Sure hate to hear about how neglected they are.
Great pics...keep them coming. I get to see our country through your eyes, cause I never travel anywhere far from home.

SmilingSally said...

I have never thought about visiting cemeteries, but you found some interesting sites to photograph.

Justine said...

Oh wow, fantastic pictures, Donna! The cemetery is so beautiful and some of the grave sites are done so nicely.

It's sad that all of those homes are falling into disrepair. They're so gorgeous.

Justine :o )

Dawn Fine said...

Man..i love these old towns..old cemeterys..full of charm and personality!
There is a cemetery in Boston..beautiful and also one of the birding hotspots around!

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

Aren't cemeteries interesting! Looks like you are having a wonderful trip! Linda

Anonymous said...

Hi Donna! Oh, you get to see some of the most awesome places! I too, love to tour old cemetaries. Those Victorian homes are so beautiful! Great photos!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Unknown said...

I hope you will come to Crock Pot Wednesdays at diningwithdebbie.blogspot.com this week. Mr. Linky is up and waiting for your entry. I live near Hot Springs if you need any questions answered. I don't routinely visit cemeteries however:)

Kat said...

I really love the way you have incorporated the slide show into your travel posts, great way to show off all of your pictures! The cemetery is really beautiful. And the old home are magnificent, it's a shame they are in such disrepair. I'm trying to catch up with your posts, we've been busy with company for the last week. It looks like ya'll are having a wonderful trip. And I love that you are visiting the "triple D" list of restaurants. My DH and I will have to live vicariously through you for now lol. Kathy

Renee said...

Beautiful pictures! The mansions are beautiful but I sure wouldn't want to clean them. Have a good week!

Jennifer said...

Your blog is so neat! Thanks for taking me to a cemetery this morning!

Ali Adkins said...

Alyssah has to be the luckiest granddaughter on the planet. Being able to travel around to great places like these with you guys! We hope to have the same opportunity with our future grandkids. Safe travels!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love your blog! I'm going to put it in my favorites to keep up with your travels! HAVE FUN!

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