Nashville City Cemetery Association

Who knew the Memorial Rock Project had friends in Eugene, Oregon? 🎨✨ These Eugene Oregon artists shared how moved they were to be part of such an inspiring and meaningful participatory art project. Huge thanks to them for decorating these beautiful stones—and for shipping them overnight so they’d arrive in time for our June 13 memorial site dedication!

Sign up to join us at the dedication here: https://NCCAdedication.eventbrite.com

In 1935, the Fort Nashborough DAR Chapter first marked the box tombs of Ann and John Cockeril, a tradition of care that continues today. Thanks to the chapter’s generous funding, a major restoration of their gravesite is now complete.

The women of this chapter have been guardians of this site for nearly a hundred years.

The three photos show the magnitude of the restoration effort, capturing three distinct stages of the process. We’re saving the reveal of the finished work for tomorrow’s (June 7) rededication ceremony—join us at 2 pm to see the results and thank the For Nashborough DAR for funding this project and preserving the legacy of Ann and John Cockerill.

Fort Nashborough DAR Nashville, Tennessee

It was a beautiful day in the cemetery! Check out this photo of Master Gardeners enjoying a well-earned break. Their hard work helps make the cemetery such a beautiful, welcoming place to visit. Thanks for all you do!

Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation

We are happy to be represented by District 17 Council Member and Minority Caucus member Terry Vo, pictured here holding a rock she decorated in memory of Jacob, a 58-year-old enslaved man who died in 1862 during the occupation of Nashville.

The second photo shows a list of names of enslaved individuals buried in the cemetery, each one honored by Minority Caucus members who decorated stones in their memory. (including Jacob)

Terry Vo for Nashville

Council members Kyonzte Toombs, Zulfat Suara, and Delishia Porterfield—members of the Minority Caucus—hold decorated stones honoring six men who died while enslaved by the City of Nashville and are buried in City Cemetery. Together with other minority caucus members, they honored twelve individuals who were owned by the city and laid to rest there.

For them, the idea of city officials commemorating their lives would have been unimaginable in the 1800s, when city leaders authorized the purchase of enslaved people to build Nashville’s water system and other infrastructure. Today, by honoring these individuals, these Minority Caucas members are symbolically transforming a legacy of oppression into one of remembrance and advocacy.

Terry Vo for Nashville

Vice Mayor Angie Emery Henderson Kingston, with rocks she decorated for Kingston , a 4 year old little boy, and Kitty, who lived to be 94—both enslaved people buried in Nashville City Cemetery. By decorating these rocks in their memory, she’s making sure their names and stories aren’t forgotten, even though they lived at a time when Nashville’s own government supported slavery. We’re so grateful to our Vice Mayor for joining our rock decorating project and helping us remember Kingston and Kitty in such a meaningful way!

Terry Vo for Nashville Metro Nashville Historical Commission Terry Vo for Nashville

In April 1935, the Fort Nashborough DAR Nashville, Tennessee first marked the grave of Ann Cockerill, honoring her legacy as a Patriot.

Today you are invited to join the DAR next Sunday as they gather for a special rededication ceremony at her gravesite—now beautifully restored thanks to their dedicated efforts.

By caring for Ann Cockerill’s monument, these women carry on the legacy of those who came before them and honor this Patriot’s memory. All are welcome to attend!

America250 Tennessee 250 Fort Nashborough DAR Nashville, Tennessee Fort Nashborough DAR Nashville, Tennessee

Get ready for tomorrow’s Trivia Tuesday! We’re diving into one of Nashville’s wildest family sagas—a story that starts with a Revolutionary War hero and ends with a grandson who became a pirate and seized the presidency of a foreign nation. Can you guess which patriot buried in Nashville City Cemetery has a legacy that took such an unexpected turn? Check back tomorrow for the full question and see if you can unravel this generational mystery!

A special thank you to Becky G.—this rock was decorated in your name in recognition of your generous donation. Your support helps us protect the dignity of Georgian and the other enslaved persons buried in the cemetery. Thank you very much!

Check out these front and back views of this memorial rock, decorated in honor of enslaved 18-year-old Georgian who was laid to rest at Nashville City Cemetery on Friday the 13th, April 1860.
To help fund the Enslaved Memorial project donate here: https://givebutter.com/memorial-bench-fundraiser-xyqobg