East End Cemetery to hold Celebration Day Nov. 2
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The Friends of East End Cemetery has been named one of 40 national winners of a $25,000 grant from State Farm Neighborhood Assist, which will be used for an oral history initiative to capture stories of African American Richmond that might otherwise be lost. The project builds on genealogical and historical research conducted since 2013, when cemetery restoration efforts began.
To express their gratitude to supporters and to State Farm, the Friends group will hold a Celebration Day Nov. 2 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the cemetery, 50 Evergreen Road. Light refreshments will be served. All activities will take place outside. Bathroom facilities and parking are limited, and visitors are encouraged to carpool. There will be no volunteer workday on this date.
The event will begin with opportunities to visit information tables for Friends of East End, Oakwood Arts and the East End Quilt Collective, the East End Collaboratory (Friends of East End Cemetery, UR Bonner Center for Civic Engagement, and VCU Center for Community Engagement and Impact) and the digital mapping project.
Speeches and an awards ceremony will begin at 2:30 p.m., and will feature Ryan Smith, a VCU professor who is publishing a book on the history and recovery of Richmond cemeteries; Kate Beadle, Public Affairs Specialist at State Farm; and Friends of East End Cemetery.
From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., event tables will continue to provide information and tours of the cemetery will be offered. For details, visit eastendcemeteryrva.com.
