Evergreen Evening Cemetery Tour Breathtaking!

Oct 30, 2016 at 09:10 am by bryan


Saturday night's walking tour of the Evergreen Cemetery that was hosted by Oaklands Historic House Museum was a pleasant blend of history, creativity and a healthy meandering alongside a cross-section of the earlier leaders from our community.

This tour really digs the past. Did you know that Evergreen Cemetery began as a slave burial ground for Oaklands Plantation in the mid-1800's? The cemetery officially began on May 30, 1872, when Dr. James Maney sold a 20-acre tract encompassing the plantation's slave burial ground to the city of Murfreesboro. Intriguing tales, historical facts and good old-fashioned stories were shared through evocative cemetery tour.

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This memorable, mourning tour of Evergreen Cemetery was taken in managable groups of curiosity seekerswho started the jaunt at the entrance to the cemetery on Greenland Drive. And this year, the BoroTellers, a storytelling guild that promotes and perpetuates the art of storytelling, injected more historic realism into the forty-five minute adventure.

Oaklands Educational Director Mary Beth Nevills said, "Few families would place cemeteries high on their list of places to visit, but maybe they should. After all, cemeteries offer art, architecture and local history in a natural outdoor setting. Just like pictures in a museum, every monument in a cemetery tells a story. Not only can you take a walk through the cemetery, you can learn about mourning customs during the Victorian era."

An interesting tidbit picked-up by those in attendance is the difference between a cemetery and a graveyard. The graveyard is private. For example a burial area on a family farm or strictly for a congregation in a churchyard. The cemetery is a burial ground for the public, like the Evergreen Cemetery.

The cemetery was once a contiguous part of the Oaklands plantation, and as such is a vital link in this community's past. In fact, to get the full picture, the public is encouraged to visit Oaklands Mansion and learn more about life in the Victorian era. It is nestled in Oaklands Park, a native tree arboretum and natural wetlands, which includes Maney Spring as well as heritage and native gardens.

Oaklands Visitors Center houses a gift shop and Maney Reception Hall for special events and temporary exhibitions. Oaklands Mansion is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00AM - 4:00PM and Sundays 1:00PM - 4:00PM. Tours begin on the hour and a short video is offered on the half hour. Plan your trip today! Tour admission is $15.00 for adults, $12 for seniors and AAA, $6.00 for children and students, call for group rates. For more information visit www.OaklandsMansion.org, find Oaklands Mansion on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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