Cultivating Perpetual Care Communities: A Richmond Cemetery Collaboratory Symposium
Saturday, March 29, 2025
9 AM – 4 PM

The Richmond Cemetery Collaboratory invites you to its first symposium on how long-term care is created and supported in cemeteries, particularly historically Black cemeteries. Topics include volunteer network building, preservation planning, policy-making, archive creation, research, community partnerships, and the physical care of cemeteries. Additionally, participants can engage in hands-on learning through a guided cemetery site visit or a transcription workshop.

Held at the Library of Virginia in Richmond, the symposium is designed to offer engaging learning experiences and community-building opportunities for everyone, from the novice to the expert. This event is free and open to the public. Invite your friends, neighbors, and colleagues to join you on this meaningful day of conversation and collaboration for cemetery preservation. Limited transportation to and from local cemeteries for hands-on demonstrations and a delicious breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Afternoon sessions will include speakers from the Friends of East End Cemetery and Woodland Restoration Foundation, as well as staff from VCU, UR, the Department of Historic Resources, and other local collaborators. Join us to connect and learn from each other!

This event is sponsored by the Library of Virginia, the Richmond Cemetery Collaboratory, the University of Richmond, and Virginia Commonwealth University.

For more information, contact Jessi Bennett at jessica.bennett@lva.virginia.gov. This event is free and open to the public. Please register at: https://lva-virginia.libcal.com/event/13393824

Limited free parking is available underneath the Library at 800 East Broad Street.

Here is a tentative schedule for the day:

9:00 AM – Coffee & Light Breakfast
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Excursions
    Excursion Option 1: Transcribing in the Library & Preservation Handout
    Excursion Option 2: Visit to East End, Evergreen, and Woodland Cemeteries

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Lunch & Poster Presentations
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM | Panel Session A
    Panel Option 1: Navigating State and Municipal Structures
    Panel Option 2: Connecting with the Next Generation

1:50 PM – 2:35 PM | Panel Session B
    Panel Option 1: Basic Cemetery Research
    Panel Option 2: Volunteers and Network Building

2:40 PM – 3:25 PM | Panel Session C
    Panel Option 1: Funding and Grants 101
    Panel Option 2: Archiving

3:30 PM – 4:00 PM | Wrapping Up – Facilitated Conversation
4:30 PM – Optional Happy Hour