Oakland Cemetery is home to many important mayors, celebrities, and public officials. Among these individuals are six governors who today reside inside its hallowed grounds. This blog series will explore these six men: their successes, their failures, and their impact…
Oakland Cemetery is home to many important mayors, celebrities, and public officials. Among these individuals are six governors who today reside inside its hallowed grounds. This blog series will explore these six men: their successes, their failures, and their impact…
In restoring Oakland Cemetery, we uncover more than just historic materials. We uncover the stories of those that made up Atlanta—the grand and the humble alike. Repairing the headstone In February 2022, Angeline Malone’s headstone was accidentally damaged during a…
From gospel to hip hop to indie rock, Atlanta’s musical roots run wide and deep. The city’s tuneful history is evident at Oakland Cemetery where musicians of all genres are buried together in eternal slumber. One of Oakland’s most notable…
Atlanta native Ron Bell dreamed of serving in the US Navy. After graduating from North Fulton High School in 1955, Bell spent some time on a naval vessel. It was a learning experience – the trip inspired Bell to become…
With the 2022 Winter Olympics happening in Beijing, we look back at the Atlanta Games and how Oakland connects to this global celebration! Sports are a fundamental part of Atlanta’s history and culture. Atlanta is home to five professional sports…
True love can overcome distance and seemingly impossible odds. James Tate (d. 1897) and his wife Olivia (d. 1907) were a couple enslaved in west Georgia. In the early years of the Civil War, Olivia and their two children, Jimmie…
When I’m working with the preservation team at Oakland Cemetery, it feels like I’m working in a library of souls. I see the titles, but can’t read their stories. This marker caught my eye. “Lost at Sea” in Atlanta? Curious…
Kenny Rogers, one of the best-selling musicians of all time, has been laid to rest at Oakland Cemetery. The singer/songwriter, actor, and entrepreneur’s monument is located east of the Memorial Drive gate along Oakland's southern wall. Fans and music lovers…
In the view of many people, Willis and Sarah Carlisle were Atlanta’s first permanent residents after the city's creation. They came to settle in our city, not to pass through or perform a job. They arrived without and prospects or…