Jun 6, 9 AM ~ Jefferson Park to Shockoe Hill Cemetery Hike

This 4.1 mile hike begins at the Jefferson Park and winds through the streets of Richmond from Union Hill along Leigh Street to Shockoe Hill Cemetery and Hebrew Cemetery. The return route will take us by the Upper Shockoe Valley and Mosby Court before returning to the starting point on Union Hill.
Shockoe Hill Cemetery, as it is presently called, was established in 1820, with the initial burial made in 1822. It was earlier known as the "New Burying Ground" and also the "Shockoe Hill Burying Ground". This cemetery was the first to be entirely planned, opened, and operated using detailed record-keeping, by the City of Richmond. The older St. John's Church Cemetery was operated in part by the City as a municipal burying ground, as were the Burial Ground for Negroes (Richmond's "1st African Burial Ground" in Shockoe Bottom), and the "Shockoe Hill African Burial Ground" (Richmond's 2nd African Burial Ground —see below). Shockoe Hill Cemetery expanded in 1833, in 1850, and in 1870, when it reached its present size of 12.7 acres.
Among many notables interred at the Shockoe Hill Cemetery are Chief Justice John Marshall, Unionist spymaster Elizabeth Van Lew, Revolutionary War hero Peter Francisco, and Virginia Governor William H. Cabell. More than thirteen hundred servicemen are known to be buried here, including at least 22 Revolutionary War veterans; at least 400 War of 1812 veterans; and an estimated 800 Civil War soldiers, both veterans and wartime casualties. Members of the General Society of the War of 1812 have suggested that more veterans of that War are buried at Shockoe Hill, than at any other cemetery in the country.

This hike will begin at the indicted time, not five or ten minutes later. If you are unfamiliar with the meet up location, add a few minutes to your travel schedule so you can find us before we leave. You can use the interactive map posted under "How to find us" to get directions.

This is a hike over city streets, paved surfaces, bridges and stairways. Participants should be able to maintain a pace of twenty-five minutes per mile, but it will not be necessary to possess the ability to recognize toxic plants nor to negotiate rocks, roots, fallen trees, streams, damp trail conditions, steep ascents, low hanging vines and branches, culverts, uncertain footing on hills, spider webs, scorpions, birds of prey, migratory waterfowl, reptiles and stairways.

• Good to know ---

• For more on Shockoe Hill Cemetery
• Current local weather forecast of expected conditions on Hike Day
•Click on the hyperlinks (blue colored words) in the event description for additional information about features of this hike!
• What to bring: Water bottle, clothing appropriate for the season, practical footwear, insect repellent, positive attitude, aspirin, a snack, dry clothes for the ride home, & band aids.

• Curbside parking is available on E. Leigh St, Princess Anne Ave and Jefferson Ave. For details see the map under "How To Find Us" in the event description.