tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495295138304264877.post5921363369284017040..comments2024-03-23T22:28:20.328-04:00Comments on <center>The Shockoe Examiner<br><small>Blogging the History of Richmond, Virginia</small></center>: The Shame of Evergreen Cemetery - What do you think?Shockoe Examiner Staff - see bottom of blog entry for the specific author.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02822340615768561691noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495295138304264877.post-72293659816590539642022-08-16T06:06:29.832-04:002022-08-16T06:06:29.832-04:00I just saw photos of probably once was a pretty ce...I just saw photos of probably once was a pretty cemetery, but to allow a cemetery to get to that condition is disrespectful of people who lived a life before ours. I don’t understand why the city of Richmond to take control of it. And to the people that broke into that crypt and removed bodies all I can say is one day you will die and I hope what you did to those bodies doesn’t happen to your’s, you make me sick!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495295138304264877.post-40890346756106894422017-03-19T18:39:07.020-04:002017-03-19T18:39:07.020-04:00Lets ask these people if they'll kick in even ...Lets ask these people if they'll kick in even one penny. Probably not. Greed doesnt identify with a color, other than green.<br /><br /><a rel="nofollow">http://www.ranker.com/list/the-20-richest-african-americans/worlds-richest-people-lists</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495295138304264877.post-12478987281704678712016-11-21T21:10:48.064-05:002016-11-21T21:10:48.064-05:00How tragic. This is truly an outrage. Thanks for...How tragic. This is truly an outrage. Thanks for posting..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495295138304264877.post-43295809967132702962016-04-15T07:33:51.706-04:002016-04-15T07:33:51.706-04:00Disgraceful. I have been working on my family gene...Disgraceful. I have been working on my family genealogy for the past six months and discovered my great grandmother is buried in that cemetery. We previously had no information on her, because my grandmother became an orphan at a young age. She didn't speak of her past. My family was planning on going to the cemetery to make an offering of some sort, as we don't believe she would have a headstone. How disheartening. Creighton_cahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17838702478649557330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495295138304264877.post-53304019672705256462016-04-14T19:59:57.362-04:002016-04-14T19:59:57.362-04:00Clean up work at Evergreen Cemetery resumes on May...Clean up work at Evergreen Cemetery resumes on May 16, 2016 at 9 am. For more information see https://evergreencemeteryva.wordpress.com/John Shucknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495295138304264877.post-35174436821025989872015-08-12T13:49:23.724-04:002015-08-12T13:49:23.724-04:00BTW, it is a felony to remove human remains withou...BTW, it is a felony to remove human remains without a court order! Have the police or federal authorities investigate the crime? No. Will they? No. Sad but true that officials on all levels could care less about these cemeteries.Huffstutlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06259964270672231698noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495295138304264877.post-67329439112529929342015-08-12T13:36:38.406-04:002015-08-12T13:36:38.406-04:00One thing that has always disturbed me is the dese...One thing that has always disturbed me is the desecration of the Braxton Mausoleum. It was suspiciously vandalized first when the owner of the cemetery at the time, was stealing money and then foreclosed. It was broken into several times since with parts of coffins, skulls, and bones, taken for who knows what reason other than some sick f***s scoring morbid trophies. Come on people. These were living breathing human beings at one time and somebody’s loved one who now, have been lost forever due to your immaturity and selfishness. Only a broken crypt remains for family members to visit.Huffstutlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06259964270672231698noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495295138304264877.post-53195865807277994452015-08-12T13:26:04.863-04:002015-08-12T13:26:04.863-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Huffstutlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06259964270672231698noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495295138304264877.post-71002251374434961192015-08-12T02:05:17.735-04:002015-08-12T02:05:17.735-04:00Isaiah Entzminger and his wife, of UK Corp., are t...Isaiah Entzminger and his wife, of UK Corp., are the owners of both Evergreen and Woodland Cemeteries while Dr. Earl Gray takes responsibility for the East End Cemetery adjoining Evergreen. I know that Dr. Gray said some 30+ years ago that he was not going to spend a dime into fixing up the grounds. Entzminger on the other hand, has maintained that he would accept an offer for someone to come into Evergreen and spend their own money to restore the 5,000 graves, while also asking basically for a blank check to have funds at hand to maintain the grounds afterwards. The problem with this scenario is that the so-called "new section" in the clearing, is supposed to have perpetual funds collected but are not being used. There is a matter of trust and a bit of greed involved. A mediator is what's needed as well as someone to educate him on how things really work to accomplish such a monumental project (no pun intended).<br /><br />With Jim Crow and the Northern Migration, many families moved away while younger people could care less about family heritage or respect (or old things). It is a crying shame that these individuals who were mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters, young and old, poor and rich are all basically just thrown away and forgotten like yesterday's trash. Something has to be done and soon before nothing can, with the vegetation and trees reclaiming the land... which it already has to a point that even Henrico (East End side) will not even step in to enforce regulations due to "reclaiming".<br /><br />We need someone with deep pockets. An African-American philanthropist who is concerned about heritage and history as there are several leaders buried there, to shake things up. I was in the midst of reaching out but was sidetracked with an immediate family member who is dealing with terminal cancer. But, I did reach out to an attorney where I work and he gave me the route to take. There have been others that made unsuccessful attempts, one recently, which may have done more damage than good with their opinionated comments that turned several important organizations sour to the idea of helping.<br /><br />Selden, if you are interested in joining me on this journey or know others who may, please let me know. I think people like Doug Wilder or Dwight Jones are either clueless or lack interest as others have over the years?<br /><br />If you haven't read them yet, also take a look at the CHA Newsletters for October and November 2014 in which I had written an extensive article about both cemeteries history entitled "And They Weep...A Richmond Disgrace". I believe your library has copies?<br /><br />Full disclosure, I am not black but the situation at hand runs deeper than skin color. It is about morals and respect for the memory of fellow human beings.<br /><br />EricHuffstutlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06259964270672231698noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495295138304264877.post-8828093065470686922015-08-11T18:00:15.900-04:002015-08-11T18:00:15.900-04:00It certainly would be useful and interesting for s...It certainly would be useful and interesting for somebody to contact the gentleman who owns Evergreen and ask him his plans. This seems fundamental to any effort to even stabilize the situation out there.Seldennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495295138304264877.post-52866886903135450592015-08-11T16:30:37.368-04:002015-08-11T16:30:37.368-04:00I have been trying to find a way for some time, to...I have been trying to find a way for some time, to get the ball rolling. <br /><br />There are several obstacles, mainly the current owner(s) of Evergreen – and the East End Cemetery as well. To make things right, there has to be a legal system in place. A clear chain of ownership established through certified deeds. Surveying the land (there are some disputes as to some areas of acreage ownership with Oakwood). Backers who can finance cleanups (it will take millions). Professional planners to come in and supervise. And a LOT of time as it will not happen overnight. The landscape has been left unattended far too long and so, is an even bigger challenge than if it was to have been approached 30+ years ago. <br /><br />Once it is cleaned up, then what? There are no perpetual care funds in place and no government grants. The community and church have been approached many times before with little to no interest. It is a private owned cemetery covering 60 acres (another 16 acres at East End) with around 5,000 graves or more. If someone has a genuine interest in helping, please contact me.<br /><br />Eric HuffstutlerHuffstutlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06259964270672231698noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495295138304264877.post-33946823555939262422015-08-11T10:49:50.538-04:002015-08-11T10:49:50.538-04:00Thanks for the information, Selden. Since it is ob...Thanks for the information, Selden. Since it is obviously cost prohibitive to fund cemetery upkeep in perpetuity, the next idea would be to form a volunteer group like Shucks or expand the ranks of Shuck's group so that there are enough people to cover both cemeteries. This might be something that local church groups would be interested in helping with. Or it could be some type of student service project. Raising awareness of the need may inspire some to help. This post is a step in the right direction. I would be happy to pitch in with a volunteer group to clean up the cemetery.The Mad Gigglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05792362214734105758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495295138304264877.post-64265776541150129752015-08-11T07:21:42.623-04:002015-08-11T07:21:42.623-04:00Great piece, I've shared it out on CHPN http:/...Great piece, I've shared it out on CHPN http://chpn.net/news/2015/08/11/the-shame-of-evergreen-cemetery_44746/john mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07705423446899616265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495295138304264877.post-83983994994748549882015-08-10T20:20:02.076-04:002015-08-10T20:20:02.076-04:00I had to repost this blog entry. Here's a rece...I had to repost this blog entry. Here's a recent comment and Selden's response:<br /><br />2 comments:<br /><br />The Mad Giggler said...<br /><br /> This is very sad and yes shameful. I seem to recall a news story about a group who was trying to clean up the cemetery, but I think that was couple of years ago. Who is responsible for keeping up the cemetery? If there is no money available, perhaps a fundraiser or crowdfunding campaign could be started.<br /> August 10, 2015 at 4:05 PM <br />Selden said...<br /><br /> There was and is a gallant volunteer group led by John Shuck, but their efforts have moved to adjacent East End Cemetery and they are working there now. Unfortunately, their good works are quickly being undone by the growth of ivy and kudzu.<br /><br /> As to who is responsible, there is an owner of the cemetery who is apparently under no obligation to keep it up, but continues to make money on the section I call "modern." It would cost millions to clear the undergrowth and fund perpetual care for that cemetery, which just isn't going to happen.<br /> August 10, 2015 at 6:08 PM <br /><br />Post a Comment Shockoe Examiner Staff - see bottom of blog entry for the specific author.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02822340615768561691noreply@blogger.com