Historical Indiana Cemetery Featured in Online Cemetery Journal
One of Evansville's most prominent cemeteries is featured this month in a national online cemetery journal. Oak Hill Cemetery is highlighted in the "Cemetery Spotlight" feature of the December edition of the Association of Graveyard Rabbits Online Jo
Online, December 10, 2013 (Newswire.com) - The article, which posted in the December issue at http://www.thegraveyardrabbit.com, traces the history of Oak Hill Cemetery from its rural Victorian beginning in 1853, through the 19th and 20th centuries. Several famous Evansville residents are buried here, as are Union and Confederate soldiers.
Regional freelance writer Joy Neighbors decided to spotlight the cemetery after spending time there earlier this year. Neighbors, who writes a cemetery blog called A Grave Interest, http://agraveinterest.blogspot.com, interviewed Superintendent of Cemeteries for the City of Evansville, Christopher Cooke to find out more about the cemetery's past, and its plans for the future.
Cooke explained that his position includes job challenges that can date back over 160 years. Current complications facing many cemeteries across the country concerns the lack of burial space available during the 21st century. But Oak Hill is prepared, and foresees no problems thanks to the City's long-term master plans for undeveloped acreage.
While Oak Hill is a charming cemetery with numerous mausoleums, amazing sculptures, and abundant history, it is also advancing quickly into the digital age. According to Cooke the cemetery is "in the process of upgrading our databases to include GIS maps, user friendly apps, and a modern record management system." Just another way the continuation of services today becomes a link to the past for future generations.
Oak Hill Cemetery is located at 1400 E. Virginia Street in Evansville. Regular office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. For more information on the cemetery contact Chris Cooke at CCooke@Evansville.in.gov. For article information contact Joy Neighbors at Joy@JoyNeighbors.com.
The Association of Graveyard Rabbits promotes the preservation and historical importance of cemeteries, grave markers, and family history that can be learned from studying burial customs, tombstones, and burial grounds.