Old City Cemetery
The Confederate Section of historic Old City Cemetery is the resting place for over 2,200 Southern soldiers from 14 states who died in Lynchburg’s military hospitals during the Civil War. Two hundred Union soldiers were also buried here, but they were removed to Poplar Grove National Cemetery by the Federal Government in 1866. There is also an unmarked “Negro Row” within the Confederate Section for hospital slaves and officers’ body servants.
The marble obelisk was built in 1869 by the Ladies Memorial Association and is the oldest Confederate monument in the state of Virginia. A kiosk near the Confederate Section archway lists all of the soldiers buried here.
Nearby is the Pest House Medical Museum. One room depicts conditions in Lynchburg’s “House of Pestilence” quarantine hospital during the Civil War. One room is furnished as Dr. John J. Terrell’s country medical office. Terrell was a Quaker physician who became part of the Confederate medical corps and oversaw operation of the Pest House.
Located near the Cemetery exit is the site of the Civil War Glanders Stable where Doctors Terrell and Page conducted important veterinary research on Confederate cavalry horses affected by the great Glanders Epizootic. Lynchburg was one of only four quartermaster depots in the Confederacy.
Many interpretive markers are located throughout the Cemetery, and several self-guided tour brochures are available.
The Cemetery and its four museums are free for self-guided visits. Guided tours are available by reservation for a small fee. Gates open daily, dawn to dusk.
Fourth and Taylor Streets
www.gravegarden.org
(434) 847-1465