FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Laura García-Culler, Executive Vice President
912.651.2125, or Email

Prominent Atlanta City Cemetery Recognized With New Historical Marker

Savannah, GA, August 20, 2008 -- The Georgia Historical Society along with the Garden Club of Georgia, Dogwood District, and Historic Oakland Foundation will unveil a new historical marker to recognize Oakland Cemetery, formerly Atlanta or City Cemetery. The dedication will be held at the cemetery’s main entrance on 248 Oakland Avenue SE in Atlanta on August 25, 2008, at 12:00 p.m.

This garden cemetery, founded in 1850, is the final resting place of many of Atlanta's settlers, builders, and most noted citizens, such as Bobby Jones and Margaret Mitchell. It is also a showplace of sculpture and architecture, as well as a botanical preserve. Oakland exemplifies the “rural garden” cemetery movement of the late 19th Century, which emerged as an alternative to crowded graveyards. In the Victorian spirit, the garden cemetery featured winding paths, large shade trees, flowers and shrubs, and appealing vistas. It was meant for the living as well as departed loved ones. The garden cemetery concept was a forerunner of public park development in America.

Oakland Cemetery

In 1850 the City of Atlanta established a public cemetery on this ridge overlooking downtown. Originally known as Atlanta or City Cemetery, the name Oakland was adopted in 1872 because of its many oaks. It was the principal burial ground for Atlanta residents, travelers, and paupers. The cemetery contains separate African American and Jewish burial sections, as well as distinct areas for Confederate and Union soldiers. This 48-acre cemetery is the burial site of several Georgia governors, more than twenty Atlanta mayors, and five Confederate generals. Author Margaret Mitchell and golfer Bobby Jones are also buried here. Developed in the style of the “rural” cemetery movement, Oakland is an example of the Victorian interest in funerary art and English landscape aesthetics.

Erected by the Georgia Historical Society; the Garden Club of Georgia, Dogwood District; and Historic Oakland Foundation

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Historical markers, which recognize people, places and events, tell the story of Georgia's past in a format that is accessible to residents and visitors alike and are an effective tool for economic development, encouraging local tourism and general state-wide interest. GHS has administered Georgia's historical marker program since 1998, erecting nearly 150 markers statewide.

The Georgia Historical Society, headquartered in Savannah, is the oldest cultural institution in the state and one of the oldest historical organizations in the nation. It is the first and only statewide historical society in Georgia. For nearly 175 years, GHS has collected, preserved, and shared Georgia history through a variety of educational outreach programs, publications, and research services. For more information visit: www.georgiahistory.com.