This is a love letter to my other favorite Garden Cemetery! Oh, Oakland. How I adore you.
There are boocoodles of well known people buried here. And some pets as well but that’s a story for another post in the near future.
You might recognize some of the more famous names – Kenny Rogers, Bobby Jones, Margaret Mitchell – and then there are politicians, social advocates, business owners, civil rights leaders and more.
Take for example, Julia Collier Harris. Her life and work were recent discoveries for me and on the next visit I’m in search of her mausoleum. Julia and her husband owned and edited the Columbus (GA) Enquirer-Sun and eventually (in 1926) co-won the first Pulitzer Prize in 1920’s for a series of articles and editorials about the KKK and the Scopes Monkey Trial. It was the first Pulitzer Prize awarded to a Georgia newspaper. She was also a Georgia Woman of Achievement. – source
At over 48 acres, the cemetery is Atlanta’s oldest public park and an exemplary of a modern day take on a historic Garden Cemetery. Not only does Oakland encourage visitors to bring their families and friends to stroll the grounds (human and non-human alike as dogs are very welcome at most events) but also run a marathon (Run Like Hell) or enjoy music (Tombs & Tombs) or take a tour or get married or, well, you get the idea.
For me, a person still very uncomfortable with the idea of death in general, combining a cemetery with lively events really makes me feel connected to those past/passed and those present. And during the holidays Oakland hosts all kinds of things and they really goes all out with the decorating. Win-win for me!
*The Holiday Spirit event is actually this weekend if you’d like to see it all for yourself. December 7 & 8, 10 a.m. til 4 p.m. although the decor stays up over the holidays and into the first of the year (depending on weather). The cemetery has food, music, tours and more. I’ll be there!
It’s rather exciting to start over with the blog since this gives me an opportunity to really deep dive into all the things that this cemetery has to offer. I’ve already started working on features about interred critters, interesting graves, notable folks and more!
* This is not a sponsored post. Just sharing to share!
