Living History Capital Campaign
Your gift will help us restore this fragile piece of Atlanta’s history faster than ever before and expand our ability to share Oakland with all Atlantans.
Oakland Cemetery, Atlanta’s first public greenspace, captures the true nature, history, and spirit of our city.
The preservation and perpetuation of Oakland have never been more important than it is today. The neighborhoods surrounding Oakland are enjoying a renaissance, developing on a scale unseen since the turn of the last century. As a result, the Cemetery’s visitation has increased, and its visibility has grown.
Historic Oakland Foundation has reached capacity. Without additional resources—staffing, space, and funding—restoration will continue at a pace at which the Cemetery might never be fully restored, and this fragile piece of Atlanta’s historic fabric will be lost to the ravages of time.
The Living History Capital Campaign will triple the rate of investment in the Cemetery over the next three years and develop facilities to expand the Foundation’s ability to share this unique asset with the whole city, commemorating its past and ensuring its future.
For further information on this project, including how your family’s name can live on at Oakland through a special recognition opportunity, please contact Executive Director Richard Harker at rharker@oaklandcemetery.com.
Our Goal: $14,000,000
Support the Living History Campaign while Leaving a Lasting Legacy at Oakland
Purchase a personalized brick and help pave the way for a dramatically improved Cemetery that still belongs to all of us—residents and visitors alike.
Your brick will be installed on the public plaza outside the main entrance of the new Oakland Cemetery Visitor Center where it will become a permanent part of Oakland’s history. Memorialize a loved one, honor a friend, or simply acknowledge your family’s valued support of Historic Oakland Foundation.
- Each 4″x8″ brick will allow for three lines of text with up to 16 characters per line. 4″x8″ Bricks are $250 each or two for $450.
- Each 8″x8″ brick will allow for up to five lines of text with up to 16 characters per line. 8″x8″ Bricks are $450.
Your purchase is partially tax-deductible.
For more information, please contact Richard Harker at rharker@oaklandcemetery.com.

Capital Campaign Projects










A New Visitor Center outside Oakland’s Gate
A new Visitor Center outside the gates will provide spaces for enhanced educational and public programming.




















Rehabilitate Oakland’s Iconic 1899 Bell Tower
The Foundation completed its rehabilitation of the 1899 Oakland Bell Tower in November 2022, transforming it into a flexible event and meeting space.














Restore and Preserve Oakland’s East Hill
With campaign support, Historic Oakland Foundation will complete the restoration of the largest contiguous area of Oakland Cemetery to date.

Capital Campaign Leadership
Valerie Jackson
Campaign Co-Chair
Former First Lady of Atlanta
May B. Hollis
Campaign Co-Chair
Community Volunteer
Tom Aderhold, Aderhold Properties; Doug Aldridge, Wells Fargo; Norman Asher, Rich’s/Macy’s (Retired); Donna G. Barwick, Attorney; Rabbi Peter Berg, The Temple; Sara Chapman, The Westminster Schools; George Dusenbury, Trust for Public Land; Mary Ellen Imlay, The Imlay Foundation; Robert T. Jones IV, Psychologist; Kelly Jordan, Community Volunteer; Mark B. Riley, Urban Realty Partners; The Honorable Leah Ward Sears, Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP; S. Zachry Young, Wesleyan School (Retired)
Photo courtesy of w. scott chester photography.
Our Capital Campaign in the News
Refurbishing project kicks off at Oakland Cemetery (11alive)
(WSBTV)
Oakland Cemetery to restore historic east entrance to make grounds more accessible (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Georgia Trust recognizes preservation efforts at Atlanta History Center, Oakland Cemetery (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Key piece of historic Oakland Cemetery set for $250K restoration (Curbed Atlanta)
Oakland Cemetery bell tower rehabilitated, preserving an Atlanta gem (Atlanta News First)
Iconic bell tower at historic Atlanta cemetery unveiled after months of restoration (WSBTV)
Historic Oakland Cemetery receives major city grant to complete campaign (Saporta Report)
Oakland Cemetery: New visitors center, restored Bell Tower part of major upgrade (Saporta Report)
Cemetery’s cramped 1899 ‘jewel’ set for overhaul (Urbanize Atlanta)
Oakland Cemetery now accessible from restored east-facing visitor gate (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
East Gate now open to visitors at Oakland Cemetery (Atlanta Intown)
Oakland Cemetery to reinstall East Gate entrance at Boulevard and Memorial Drive (Atlanta Intown)
So much of our city’s history is here:’ Historic Oakland Cemetery bell tower is fully rehabilitated (The Atlanta Voice)
Images: Oakland Cemetery wraps renovation of 1890s ‘jewel’ (Urbanize Atlanta)
Articles
Historic Oakland Foundation Breaks Ground on New Visitor Center
On September 5, 2023, Historic Oakland Foundation staff, volunteers, and board members along with City…
Preservation Projects at Oakland in 2023
It seems almost unbelievable to say this, but the PRO Team will be wrapping up…
Laying the Groundwork: Replacing Marble Tile at the Bell Tower
If you have been keeping up with the ongoing rehabilitation of Oakland Cemetery’s iconic 1899…
An August 2022 Bell Tower Progress Update: Getting Closer!
Neale Nickels, HOF’s senior director of capital projects is back with another update on the…