Learn the history of fascinating monuments known as cradle gardens and how volunteers are helping to maintain them.
Even today, the massive grounds host hundreds of burials per year.
Kim Bearden is the Executive Director at Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis.
Credit:Elmwood Cemetery
Her career there spans over 25 years.
The History of Elmwood
Elmwood was founded by 50 Memphis businessmen in 1852.
As a result, the cemetery has expansive greenery and features rolling pathways with loads of shady trees.
Credit:Elmwood Cemetery
What Is A Cradle Garden?
Picture an oblong, almost clawfoot bathtub-like shape that lays horizontally on the ground.
Victorians planted Day Lilies, roses, irises, and even ever-popularpeonieswithin their cradle garden walls.
Credit:Elmwood Cemetery
Why Does Elmwood Have So Many?
Just like everything else in the world, it depends on who was the salesman, Bearden jokes.
We believe that there was a salesman who specialized in selling these cradles.
Credit:Elmwood Cemetery
Every cemetery has its identity.
Some cemeteries have loads of crosses, angels, and other religious iconography.
Some might have beautiful obelisks.
Credit:Elmwood Cemetery
Elmwood has a good mixture of these things, too plus a large collection of cradles, says Bearden.
How Are Cradle Gardens Tended?
Eventually, these once verdant gardens became rife with weeds and other unsightly overgrowth.
How Can You Get Involved In Your Town?
If you are interested in volunteering at a historic cemetery, reach out!
Many cemeteries have volunteer opportunities.
At Elmwood, volunteers can be tour guides, archivists, or photographers.
Cemeteries founded in the mid-1800s, like Elmwood, were a part of the rural cemetery movement.
Elmwood, like so many other historic cemeteries, is not scary at all.
It’s very much filled with nature.
The monuments are artistic.
Don’t be afraid to visit old historic cemeteries!
