NEWS FROM FRIENDS OF HOLLYWOOD CEMETERY A Gateway Into History WWW.HOLLYWOODCEMETERY.ORG SPRING2015•VOLUME6,NUMBER1 MikeVanYahres F A Third-generation Arborist Tends Hollywood’s Trees orMikeVanYahres,there’snothingquitelikeseeingthe worldfromthetopofoldshadetrees—likethosefoundat HollywoodCemetery. “They’resobig,andtheviewsfromthemarespectacular.The branchesaresobigthey’relikewalkways,”hesays.Someof Hollywood’streesareover200yearsold. AsHollywood’sarborist,heoverseestheneedsofthetrees inthe135-acrecemetery.Hepaysspecialattentiontothe cemetery’smonarchtrees,whichhedescribedas“good, respectablespecies,over36inchesindiameter,withaprojected lifespanof30yearsormore.”Hisfavoritesincludeatulip poplarthatisthelargesttreeinHollywood,a140’baldcypress inLongBottom,andablackguminthecenterofthecemetery thatis“arealshowstopperinfall.”Thetree,whichresemblesa bonsai,turnsabrilliantorangeandredatthattimeofyear. Hisfirm,VanYahresTreeCompany,firstbeganworkingwith Hollywoodin1990.Perhapsthefirm’sbiggestchallengetodate wasthedamageproducedbyHurricaneIsabelinSeptember 2003. “Wehadlostover100maturetrees.Itlookedlikeawarzone. Thereweretreesdowneverywhere,”saysDavidGilliam, generalmanagerforHollywoodCemetery.Thestormhitona Thursday,andhecontactedMikerightaway.Thefirstorder ofbusinesswastoprovideaccesstoanopengrave.“Wehad afuneralscheduledfortheMondayafterthehurricanehit.A hugeoakhadfallenontheopengrave.”ByFridayatnoon,a VanYahrescrewwasalreadyclearingapathtothegravesite. Thefuneralproceededasscheduled.“Thissplendidreactionhas beenahallmarkofservicebyVanYahres.” A bucket truck can reach as high as 65 feet. Mike’sgrandfather,George,startedtheVanYahresTree CompanyinupstateNewYorkin1919.Muchofhiswork involvedtravelingupanddowntheEastCoast,preserving ancienttreesontheestatesoffamiliesliketheDuponts,the Firestones,andtheRockefellers.Aninnovativearboristwho heldseveralpatents,hewasalsoverysuccessful.“Duringthe ‘30s,hehad75trucksworkingallovertheEastCoast,”says Mike. (continued on page 2) Page 3 Page 4 Page 6 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Volunteer Rose Day Superintendent’s House Tokukichiro Abe Abe’s Monument Overlooks Enhance Viewing Locations Virtual Tour Mike Van Yahres (continued from page 1) In1923,Georgewasoneofthearboristshiredtohelpsave thetreesofMonticello—aclientoftheVanYahresCompany thatremainstothisday.Georgelikedthearea,andrelocated thebusinesstoCharlottesvillein1949. andinstitutionsinterestedintheveryhighestcaliberof work.”HisinstitutionalclientsincludeEmory&Henry College,MarthaJeffersonHospital,UniversityofRichmond andSaintCatherine’sSchool. George’sson,Mitch—Mike’sfather—alsojoinedthefirm. HewasthefirstVanYahresengagedbyHollywoodCemetery, andmadeanassessmentofthecemetery’sapproximately 2000treesin1994.Inadditiontohistreework,Mitchserved astheMayorofCharlottesville,andwasinstrumentalinthe developmentoftheDowntownMall.Healsoservedinthe GeneralAssemblyfrom1981-2005.Togetawayfromthe pressuresoftheday,hewouldgooutintothefieldandgrind stumps.“Thatwastheonlytimehewasunreachable,”says Mike. VanYahresTreeCompanyisamemberoftheprestigious TreeCareIndustryAssociation(TCIA),andallofitskey employeesarecertifiedbytheInternationalSocietyof Arboriculture.ThecrewsatHollywoodengageintree pruningandremoval,environmentally-friendlypestcontrol andmanagement,andnutrientenrichmentofthesoil.The latterincludesinjectinghumusintothegroundtostimulate anenvironmentsimilartothatofforestfloors.Thecompany alsoprovideslightningprotectionformonarchtrees. Growingup,Mikewastoldnottoclimbtrees.“Myfather wouldnotallowmetoworkinthefield,”hesays.Unableto resisthisyouthfulurge,hefoundasympatheticconspirator. Hiscrewsalsoprovideexpertiseinrecognizingwhentrees needtoberemoved,eitherforpoorhealthortoprotect monumentsandotherstructures,andwherenewtreesshould beplanted. “Anyrecommendationforanewtreeinvolvesavery thoughtfulprocess,”saysDavidGilliam.“Whenyouplan andplantanewtreeinHollywoodyouneedtobethinking 100yearsdowntheroad.” MikederivesaspecialpleasurefromhisworkatHollywood Cemetery.“What’srewardingisthatit’sprobablythe finestcollectionoftreesinoneconcentratedareathat you’reliabletofindinthispartoftheworld,”saysMike. “Itisawonderfulexampleofamature,nativeforestina maintainedlandscape.”Photographs courtesy of Van Yahres Tree Company. A grapple log loader (made in Austria) is used to lift and load logs into a truck. “Thesuperintendentwouldsneakmeoutthereon Saturdays.”Hefondlyrecallsonesummerwhen,asa collegestudent,heworkedhiswayacrossthecountryasa treeclimber. Mike,whoholdsaMaster’sdegreeinLandscape ArchitecturefromtheUniversityofVirginia,beganworking forthefamilybusiness30yearsago.(Inadditiontothetree company,Mikeandhiswife,Peggy,alsoownalandscape architecturefirm,VanYahresStudio,whichmergedwith Richmond-basedBCWHArchitectsinFebruary2013.The studiohasprovidedvaluableassistancetoHollywoodwith itsmasterplanandotherprojects.) Althoughhenolongerclimbstrees,Mikeenjoysworking withhiscompany’sclients,whohedescribesas“individuals FRIENDS OF HOLLYWOOD A tree has been cut down section by section. The pink strap has been connected to a crane (off the photo) which will lift the massive trunk section into a truck. Page2 SPRING 2015 March21,2015 Volunteers Give TLC to Hollywood Roses on Work Day “I loveoldroses,”saidSuzanneMiladin,amemberofthe SalisburyGardenClub.“Igetmyrosefixcominghere.” Miladinwasoneofthe29volunteerswhogatheredatPalmer ChapelonthemorningofMarch21,readytotakepartin Hollywood’sThirdAnnualRoseWorkDay.Thehelpers-manywearingsunhatsandgloves,andarmedwithclippers andloppers--wereeagertogetthecemetery’srosesreadyfor spring. Hemenwayrecalledthefirstyearoftheproject,when“some oftherosesweresixfeettallandsoovergrownyoucouldn’t walkbetweenthegraves.”Thankstotheworkthevolunteers accomplishedthatday,shefoundthenextyear’sworkmuch easier. Newcomersworkedsidebysidewithexperiencedgardeners, likeAlMinutoloandLynnPappas,whoshowedthemtheropes. Hilkerprovidedthegroupswithanalcoholspraytocleantheir clippersbetweenroses,toavoidspreadingdisease.Orange flagsmarkedthelocationsoftheroses,makingthemeasyfor thevolunteerstofind. Atnoon,thegroupgatheredforaSallyBelllunchprovidedby FriendsofHollywoodCemetery,beforeheadingbacktowork. Manyofthevolunteersplannedtoreturninthespringtovisit therosesand“seethefruitsofourlabor,”asHemenwayputit. “Lastspringandsummer,theroseswerebeautifulasaresultof theattentionthattheyhadreceivedduringthefirsttwoannual volunteerdays,”saidHilker.Tothehelpersthatgatheredthis March,shesaid,“Ithankyou,andHollywoodthanksyou.” 2015 Rose Day volunteers gather in front of Palmer Chapel. “ThankyouforgivingusyourSaturdaymorning,”saidevent organizer,ConnieHilker,tothegroup.Hilker,theownerof HartwoodRosesnearFredericksburg,hasoverseenthework daysinceitbeganin2013.Aspartofhertask,shehascarefully mappedandkeptdetailednotesonallofthe140rosesat HollywoodCemetery.About110weretargetedforthisyear’s workday,includingmanyantiquevarieties. Accomplished rosarian Al Minutolo mentors new Rose Day volunteers--Barbara and Joe Brancoli. RoseWorkDayisheldeachyearonthethirdSaturdayin March.“Wewelcomeanyonewhohasanappreciationforthe rosesatHollywoodtojoinus.“Noexperienceisnecessary,” saysHilker. A map of notable trees and roses in available to visitors in the Hollywood Cemetery office. Members of the Richmond Rose Society gather before work begins. Aftergivinginstructionstothevolunteers,shedividedthem intoteams.Eachteamreceivedaredbinderthatheldamap alongwithdetailedinformationandpruningtipsforeach assignedrose. Somevolunteerswerefirst-timers,likeRileyHawkins,who arrivedwithhisgrandparents,PamandJu-JuHawkins.Others suchasAlesaHemenwayandCarolineTisdale—friendssince theiryearsatVirginiaTech--haveworkedeachyearattheevent. FRIENDS OF HOLLYWOOD Page3 Hollywood Rose Day Volunteers March 21, 2015 Tracy Anderson Julie Ashman Barbara Brancoli Joseph Brancoli Lisa Caperton Pat Cash Martha Davidson Laura Deck Julius Hawkins Pam Hawkins Riley Hawkins Alesa Hemenway Connie Hilker Denny King Jenny King Grace LeRose Candy Lindenzweig Kathy Maitland Suzanne Miladin Al Minutolo Catharine Moser Sharon Pajka Lynn Pappas Carolyn Pegram Debbie Priebe Dean Siwiec Caroline Tisdale Nanette Whitt Richard Whitt SPRING 2015 120YearsOldin2015 The Superintendent’s House in Hollywood Boasts Some of the ‘Quietest Neighbors in Town’ By Doug Childers/Homes Correspondent with the Richmond Times-Dispatch M ostpeoplewhohavevisitedRichmond’sHollywood Cemeteryhaveseenthesuperintendent’shouse.Itstands justinsidethegate,anelaboratefantasythat’sguaranteedto provokeadoubletake.Fewvisitorsknowitsstory,though.And evenfewerknowhowcloseitcametodemolition.Together, alocalpreservationgroupandayoungcontractorsavedit, againstallodds.Andoncetheywerefinished,itbecamea modelforhowtheypartneronpreservationprojectstoday. Backin1894,though,thepiecesforthesuperintendent’shouse werejustcomingtogether–literally.HollywoodCemetery officialshaddecidedtoreplaceasmalldwellingthathadbeen “usedbythesuperintendentforanumberofyears,”saidJohn O.Peters,authorof“Richmond’sHollywoodCemetery.”Inits place,theyplannedtobuildaQueenAnne-stylekithouse.Kit houses,whicharrivedviatraininnumberedpiecesandwere assembledon-sitebylocalbuilders,werepopularintheUnited Statesduringthelate19thandearly20thcenturies. Assemblingtheornate,4,800-square-foothouseinHollywood Cemeterymusthavefeltalittlelikeassemblinganespecially elaborate3-Dpuzzle.“QueenAnne-stylehousesoftenfollowed aformula,andyouseeithere:acornertower,awraparound porchandafrontgabledsectionbesidethecornertower,” saidChrisNovelli,anarchitecturalhistorianwiththeVirginia DepartmentofHistoricResources.“QueenAnnewasthe FRIENDS OF HOLLYWOOD culminationoftheVictorianstyles,andthishousehasallthe bellsandwhistles.”Withaneyetothenovelandpicturesque, architectsworkingintheQueenAnnestyle“soughttodissolve flatwallsurfaceswithrecessedsleepingporchesthatpushin andtowersthatpushout,”headded.“Theydon’tgetmuch fancierthanthesuperintendent’shouse.” Thehouse,basedonadesignfromtheKnoxville,Tenn.basedGeorgeBarberCo.,wasassembledin1895,Peters said.“GeorgeBarberwasoneofthemostpopularmail-order architects,andhisdesignsareregardedasamongthemost flamboyant,”Novellisaid.“Thesuperintendent’shousewas DesignNo.61fromBarber’scatalogueofhousedesigns.” Thesuperintendentlivedinthehouseforseveralyears,but bythe1980s,thehousewasvacantandinpoorcondition. Maintainingthehousewascostly,and“thecemetery’sboard didnotwishtoallocatefundstotheupkeepofthehouseatthe expenseoffundstocareforthecemetery,”saidDavidGilliam, thecemetery’sgeneralmanager.Cemeteryofficialsconsidered demolishingthehouse,andwordoftheplansreachedHistoric Richmond,anonprofitorganizationdedicatedtopreserving historicRichmondproperties.Cemeteryofficialsagreedtolet HistoricRichmondconductafeasibilitystudytodetermineif thehousecouldbesaved,andworkonthestudywrappedupin 1987. H T O Th ag Fri rec gr Ja m On ov Bythen,thecemetery’sboardofdirectorshadagreedto considersigningalong-termleasewithadeveloperwho waswillingtorenovatethehouseasanapartmentbuilding. However,aplantoraisefundsfellthrough,andthehouse edgedclosertodemolition.That’swhenClarkGlavé gotinvolved.Atthetime–itwas1991–theRichmondbasedpreservationcontractorwas29yearsold,andthe superintendent’shousewouldbethebiggestprojecthehad undertaken.Buthisfather,asuccessfularchitect,encouraged himtopursueit. Glavépresenteddrawingsandhisbusinessplantothe cemetery’sboardofdirectors,andtheygavehimtwoweeks toraise$150,000fortheproject.“Ithinktheyweretiredof dealingwithit,”Glavésaid. Page4 (continued on page 5) SPRING 2015 A WiththehelpofHistoricRichmond,whichguidedhimtoward potentialinvestors,Glavésoldfivesharesfor$30,000apiece, andHistoricRichmondgavehiscompanya$100,000loan tocovertherestofthe$250,000renovation.Withthefunds secured,Glavésigneda30-yearlease(withanadditional 20-yearoption)thatgavehiscompany,ArkConstruction& DevelopmentCorp.,therightstorenovatethehouseandcollect rentonthestructure’sfournewapartments. Thencamethehardpart:Bringingthehousebacktoitsformer glory,nearlyacenturyafteritsconstruction.“Itwasn’tin imminentdangerofcollapse,butitwasinbadshape,”Glavé said.Theroofleaked,theplasterwallshadgapingholes,and partsofthehouse(includingthewraparoundporch)were breakingawayfromtheframestructure.“Wehadtouse aircraft-gradecableandturnbucklestopullthehousetogether,” Glavésaid.Hemanagedtosavesomeoftheinterior’soriginal trim,though,alongwithseveralpanesofartglass,twofireplace mantelsandthepocketdoorsdownstairs,alongwithseveral decorativeelementsonthehouse’sexterior. “Ifsomeoneweretowanttoturnitbackintoasingle-family residence,itwouldn’tbehard,”saidGlavé,whocelebratedhis 30thbirthdayinthehousejustaftertherenovationprojectwas complete. “Clarkisamagicmaker,”saidMaryJaneHogue,executive directorofHistoricRichmond.“Thatwashisfirstprojectwith HistoricRichmond,butwegethimtodomostofourwork now.”(Currently,HistoricRichmondandGlavéarerenovating severalhousesneartheLeighStreetArmoryinJacksonWard.) Glavéhadtorepairtheroofofthesuperintendent’shouseafew yearsago,anditsexteriorisalmostdueforanotherpaintjob. (“Aframehouseisaconstantmaintenanceissue,”Glavésaid. “Itneverstops.”)Butitsfutureissafe.Infact,Glavéoftenhas awaitinglistforpeoplehopingtorentanapartmentthere.“I liketosaythatyou’vegota300-acrebackyardwiththequietest neighborsintown,”hesaid,withalaugh. Article Reprinted Courtesy of the Richmond Times-Dispatch FRIENDS OF HOLLYWOOD Page5 SPRING 2015 “What a Shame” A The Mysterious Life and Death of Tokukichiro Abe monumentengravedinold Japanesescripthaslongintrigued visitorstoHollywoodCemetery.The largegranitestone,locatedintheLawn sectionneartheDavisFamilyCircle, tellsthestoryofTokukichiroAbe,a commissioneroftheJapanesetobacco industrywhodiedoftyphoidfeverand wasburiedinRichmondin1907. publishedin1991bytheTobacco AcademicStudiesCenter,Tokukichiro wasactuallybornwiththesurname “Niinomata.”In1891,atage25,hewas adoptedbythehigh-rankingAbe(pron. Ah-bay)family.ProminentJapanese familiesmayadoptapromisingyoung manfromthecommunitywhenthey lackamaleheir,saystranslatorTadao Uchisawa.“It’snotunusual.” Aftergraduatingfromcollegein1892, Abeworkedinanagriculturaltesting centerintheNaganoPrefecture.He marriedahighschoolteacher,Masako “Masa”Ito,whowasalsoanEnglish translator.Thecouplehadtwosonsand fourdaughters.Comingfromawellregardedfamily,andwithhistalent andintelligence,Abesoonrosetoan esteemedposition. Appointed Tobacco Commissioner A photograph of Mr. T. Abe said to be taken in March 1906 prior to his departure to the United States. “Hewasfromtheupperlevelsof Japanesesociety,andtheEmperorof Japanwasamongthosewhoattended hisdeparture”totheU.S.,accordingto R.ScottWallingerina1999reporton Abe’sdeath.Overtheyears,various partieshavesoughttolearnmoreabout Abe–amansowellregardedinhis homelandthatnumerousJapanese visitorshavejourneyedtoRichmondto paytheirrespects. HewasbornMarch25,1866in Koyoshi,intheAkitaPrefectureof northernJapan,anareaknownforits ricefieldsandsake.Anintelligent youngman,heenrolledinAgricultural CollegeofTokyoUniversityin1888. AccordingtoajournalaboutAbe FRIENDS OF HOLLYWOOD InMarch1906,theJapanese governmentchargedAbewiththetask ofresearchingthetobaccoindustries inwesterncountriesandpurchasing tobaccotoimportandexport.A photographofAbefromthistime, whichappearsintheTASCjournal, showsaslim,distinguishedbalding manwithamoustache.Heiselegantly dressedinablacktuxedowithtails. Atophatliesonatablenearby.The photographwassaidtobetakenduring hisaudiencewithEmperorMeiji, beforehisdeparturebyshiptotheU.S. (See photograph on left.) Abesettledinthethrivingtobaccohubof Richmond,livingonEastBroadStreetin thewell-heeledChurchHillcommunity. “InRichmond,heachievedahighlevel ofesteemamongtheleadersofthe tobaccoindustry,”writesWallinger. Abewasappointed in1897asthe commissionerand officialexpertofthe ImperialTobacco MonopolyBureau ofJapan,partofthe MinistryofFinance. Accordingtothe websiteoftheTobacco andSaltMuseum inTokyo,cigarettes wereintroducedto Family portrait (July 1899). Abe is age 34; his son, Tatsui, age 8, Japaninthelatter center front row. partofthe19thcentury and“theindigenoustobaccoindustry AbethentraveledtoFrance,andlikely flourishedasneverbefore.”TheMeiji madevisitstoEnglandandGermany. government“wasquicktorealize OnthevoyagebackfromFranceto thevalueoftobaccoasapotential theU.S.,hishealthtookaturnforthe sourceofrevenue.In1904,allstages worse.“Somepeoplesaidhegotillon ofprocessingandsalewerebrought board,”saysUchisawa. undergovernmentcontrolasanational InDecember1906,Abewas monopoly,whichremainedineffect hospitalizedatVirginiaHospital until1985.” (continued on page 7) Page6 SPRING 2015 Accordingto anarticleinthe Richmond News Leader,Abe’sbody wasembalmedon January16.The articlenotedthat Dr.Ikeda,“said todaythathewould donothingwiththe bodyuntilacable wasreceivedfrom Tokio[Tokyo].It Abe’s funeral cortege at Hollywood Cemetery. isbelievedthatthe (laterapartoftheMedicalCollegeof remainsofAbewill Virginia)fortyphoidfever.Whilein beshippedtoJapanforinterment.” thehospital,hewasvisitedbyfriends. Aphysician,Dr.K.Ikeda,arrivedfrom Yet,becauseAbehadcontracteda Tokyotohelpathisbedside.Despite contagiousdisease,hisbodycouldnot theefforts,Abepassedawaythree bereturnedhome.Aservicewasheld weekslateronMonday,January14, inthechapelofHollywoodCemetery 1907,at1:30p.m.intheafternoon.He onJanuary17at11a.m.,ledbythe wasjust41. Rev.J.Y.DownmanofAllSaints Tribute of Respect OnJanuary15,membersofthe TobaccoTradeinRichmondmetand adoptedaresolutioninAbe’shonor. Thegroupnotedthat“wedeeplyregret thesuddendeparturefromthislifeof Dr.T.Abe,whohasbeencalledaway fromourmidstintheflowerofhis manhood…Althoughinaforeignland hehadquicklymademanyfriends amongstuswhoareshockedatthe suddenlosswhichhasbefallenus.” Churchwithmusicprovidedbysome ofthemembersofSt.Paul’sEpiscopal Churchchoir.Pallbearers(E.K. Vietor,JohnL.Wingo,JamesN.Boyd, J.I.Miller,C.D.Larus,Rutherfoord Rose,HenryCarrington,andW.W. Morton)includedleadersprominentin Richmond’stobaccoindustry.Abewas buriedintheLawnsection,nearthe Davisfamilycircle. Interestingly,Abe’shairwasshippedto hisfamilythatFebruaryandburiedin hishometown.“Confucioussaysthat Formally attired mourners pose in front of Abe’s hearse. FRIENDS OF HOLLYWOOD Page7 yourbody,skinandhairbelongtoyour parents,”saysMeng.“Ifhisfamily couldn’thavetheactualbody,thenthey couldhavethesecondbestthing.”Abe receivedbothChristianandBuddhist funeralservicesinhishomeland. Visit by Son and Grandson NumerousindividualsfromJapanhave visitedhisgraveinHollywoodoverthe years,includinghisoldestson,Tatsui, andhisgrandsonin1973.Dr.Tatsui Abewroteofthevisitinapoemcalled “Richmond,”collectedintheTASC journal,andtranslatedbyUchisawa. “Imeetmyfather’stombhereinthe hugecemetery,likeapark,”hebegins. Hesaysthepairbroughtflowersand “Japanesesake,whichheloved,and poureditonhistomb.”Oncewet,his father’snameonthestone“becomes morepronounced.”Henotesthat“the flowersthatputtheshadowsonhis tombisthedogwood”andthat“behind thetomb,thesunisfacedtoJapan.” Heobservesthathissononlyknows Tokukichirobyaphoto.Theirvisit drawstoaclose,though“it’shardto leaveherefrommyfather’stombwhile thesmellofsakeremains.”Standing bythegrave,hesaysthatthestonestill looksnewaftermorethan60years, andappreciatestheeffortsofthosewho preservedthetombof“thestranger,not relatedtoanybodyelse.” The author is grateful to R. Scott Wallinger’s 1999 “Report on Inquiries related to the Death and Interment of Dr. Tokukichiro Abe,” along with its addendum, conducted on behalf of executives in the Japanese tobacco industry and archived at the Virginia Historical Society; and to Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School instructors Sharon Meng and Tadao Uchisawa for their translations of the monument and the TASC journal. (continued on page 8) SPRING 2015 Tokukichiro Abe (continued from page 7) Abe’s monument: TonyGrappone,ownerofA.P.Grappone&Son saystheheadstone’sextensiveJapaneseinscription wascarvedbyhisgreat-grandfather,Alfonso.“He wasveryproudofit,”hesays. The5’1”granitestonehaswritingonbothsides, includingarenderingofAbe’snameinJapanese andsomebriefbiographicaldetailsinEnglish (includinglistingJanuary15,1907,thedateof hisdeathinthetimezoneinJapan).Therestof theheadstone“iswritteninKanji,whichuses thesamecharactersasclassicalChinesesothere isalackofpunctuation,”saystranslatorSharon Meng.“It’saformalwaytowrite.”Accordingto Meng,theletters–readfromrighttoleftandtop tobottom–onthesouthsideofhismonument translatetothefollowing: “Mr. Tokukichiro Abe was born in Akita Prefecture, Yuli county, Koyoshi Village. In the year 1892 [Abe] graduated from Imperial Agriculture University. In the year 1897, he was appointed to the Ministry of the Finance. In March 1906, he was appointed to both the France and the U.S. He became ill at this place and unfortunately passed away. His character was that he was indifferent to fame or gain, he was lawful and patriotic, and honored his duty. A man of such quality is hard to find. At middle age he died before his time. What a shame. Those who knew him in the U.S. got together to build this memorial to pass on his virtues forever.” Tokukichiro Abe’s monument at Hollywood Cemetery. Mengsaysthewritingincludesthephrase“yaozhe”(or“yoosetsu”inJapanese),atermusedwhenchildrendie.“It’s awayofsayinghedidnotreachhispotential.Hediedbeforehistime.”Shealsonotedthatuseofthephrase“zhen kexi”–“what a shame,”inChinese. FRIENDS OF HOLLYWOOD Page8 SPRING 2015 Overlooks Will Enhance Prime Viewing Locations W veryimportanttous,”shesays. ithitsdramaticelevationoverlookingtheJames River,it’snosurprisethatHollywoodisoften recognizedforhavingsomeofthe“bestviews”inthe cityofRichmond. Anadditional$200,000willfundbollardandchainsto definetheareasandconnectthemvisually. “Ournewoverlookplanwillenhancetheseviewing areasandcreatebetteraccesstothem,”saysKelly JonesWilbanks,executivedirectorofFriendsof HollywoodCemetery.“Theywillprovideideal locationsforfamiliestogatherbeforeorafterfunerals, andforvisitorswhosimplywishamomentof tranquility.” Thefirstoverlook(besidethePalmerChapel) hasalreadyreceivedfundingof$25,000fromthe Dominion FoundationandwasselectedbytheJames River Garden ClubasitsCentennialSignatureProject whichwasaccompaniedbyagrantof$50,000. “Wearesogratefultotheseorganizationsfor supportingthisworthwhileproject,”saysWilbanks. “Whencompleted,wethinktheoverlookswillprovide idealsettingsforpauseandreflection.” DesignedbytheVanYahresStudioofBCWH Architects,theplanincludesrenovatingthree overlooks,locatedinthePalmerChapelarea,the HOLLYWOOD CEMETERY • THE OVERLOOK DavisCirclearea,andanareabetweenthesetwo HE sites.Whencombined,theareaswillofferover1000 OVERLOOK feetofriverviewingaccess.Eachoverlookwill OVERVIEW costabout$100,000tocomplete.Thefundswill River. Here there is ample room to provide he view of the James River has always been provide“restoration,conservationandbeautification observation and parking. In keeping with the great benefit to the Cemetery. Recently, the oftheareas,withanemphasisonconnectingthe environmental purpose of the grant, it will iends of Hollywood Cemetery was the lucky landscapingtothemagnificentviewsoftheJames,” also be an opportunity to resolve the erosion cipient of an environmental stewardship saysWilbanks. rant for the preservation and provision of a JAMES RIVER MAUSOLEUM THE OVERLOOK problems along the slope toward the River. ames River overlook, making the River even Theoverlookplansincludenewlandscaping, November, PARKING more ofsidewalks,andampleseatingareasforvisitors. an asset for the Cemetery. Nativeplantingswilladdresserosion,runoff, ne of drainageandstormwatermanagement.“Being the best locations to develop this locatedontheJames,environmentalstewardshipis verlook is near the Mausoleum along the A thumb nail sketch of one of many options for developing an overlook along the James River Current view of the James River from the vicinity of the Palmer Chapel. Rendering of The the Overlook first proposed overlook east of the Palmer Chapel. Construction to begin in the summer of 2015. conceptual perspective showing FRIENDS OF HOLLYWOOD Page9 SPRING 2015 2011 LocatedonHollywood’sWebSite Hollywood Cemetery’s New Virtual Tour Platform H ollywoodCemeteryholdsawealthofstoriesinits rollinghills.ThefascinatingtalesofU.S.presidents, Virginiagovernors,SupremeCourtJustices,Confederate generals,soldiers,andthousandsofotherresidentsareall intermingledinthebeautyofHollywood. Buthowdoesonediscoverallofthosestories? HollywoodCemeteryhasteamedupwithNimblePitch andAddisonClark,bothofRichmond,tocreatean interactivestorytellingplatformthatvisitorsboth nearandfarcanusetodiscoverthestoriesthatmake HollywoodCemeterysounique. Atitscore,theplatformrevolvesaroundaninteractive mapofthecemeterythatcan beviewedoneithera desktopormobiledevice. Byclickingortappingon differentspotsonthemap, visitorscanfindtheexact burialplaceofafamous Hollywoodresident,as wellasshortbiographies, links,andvideosaboutthat particularperson. Oneofthegreatestaspects aboutthisprogramisthat itcanbeusedanywhere. Someoneinanotherstateor country—whomaynever havetheopportunitytovisit HollywoodCemeteryin person—canexperience thestoriesofHollywood straightfromtheircomputer screens.Justaseasily,a personvisitingthecemetery inpersoncanusethe programasareferenceguide whilethey’reexploringthe grounds. Usershavetheoptionof takingaself-guidedtour whichwillleadthemto someofthemostpopular sitesinthecemetery, includingPresidentsCircle, thePyramid,andthe IronDog.Bookmarking capabilitiesallowusersto customizeaself-guidedtour inordertovisitsitesinthe FRIENDS OF HOLLYWOOD cemeterythatinterestthemthemost.Finally,usershave theabilitytoturndifferentcategories(suchaspresidents, governors,andConfederatesoldiers)onoroffinorderto furthercustomizethesitestheywanttovisit. ThishugedigitizationendeavorbyHollywoodCemetery isoneofthefirstofitskindinthecemeteryindustry. AsaNationalHistoricPlace,Hollywoodbelievesitis importanttomakeitsrichhistoryavailabletothepublic inaneasy-to-use,accessibleplatform.Withtechnology advancementsandtheprevalenceofmobiletechnology,it hasbecomeeasierforhistoriclandmarkslikeHollywood todoso.Otherorganizationswhohaveundertakensimilar projectsincludetheU.S.Capitol,Ukrop’sMonument Avenue10K,andmanycollegesanduniversities. The homepage of the virtual tour provides serveral options for the user. The first screen of the virtual tour is a hand drawn map of the cemetery. Page10 SPRING 2015 Friends of Hollywood Cemetery Invites you to our Fourth Annual SUNDAY PICNIC at HOLLYWOOD CEMETERY Sunday, May 3rd, 2015 1:00 P.M. – 3:30 P. M. Performances by the Oak Lane Band and Capitol Opera Richmond Featuring Broadway, Film and Operetta Classics Courtesy of Virginia Historical Society Pack a picnic basket, bring a blanket and relax to sounds of great entertainment. Guided trolley car tours will be provided. Cupcakes from Pearl’s Cupcake Shoppe, an ice cream truck and hotdogs will be on site. Tickets for the trolley car tours are available at the picnic. Lots, crypts, & cremation niches are available throughout 135 acres of scenic hills, stately trees and architectural beauty. Contact us for an appointment. Public Visiting Hours 8am - 6pm daily Historic Walking Tours April-October 412 South Cherry Street Richmond, VA 23220 804.648.8501 [email protected] Please email Nancy Shepherd at [email protected] or call 648-8501 to make reservations. Rain Date - Sunday, September 20th, 2015 at 1:00 P.M. www.hollywoodcemetery.org 2015 Officers and Directors Friends of Hollywood Cemetery 2015 Officers and Directors Hollywood Cemetery Company EvelinaM.Scott FredT.Tattersall FieldingL.Williams,Jr. PeterC.Toms–Chair DavidL.Gilliam–Secretary EdwardM.Farley,IV–Treasurer MatthewD.Jenkins–President E.BrysonPowell–VicePresident DavidL.Gilliam–Secretaryand GeneralManager WoodrowC.Harper–Treasurer MabelE.Toney–AssistantSecretaryand AssistantTreasurer Administrative Staff Hollywood Cemetery Company MaryLynnBayliss,PhD WilliamR.Claiborne ElizabethRawlesCronly EdwardM.Farley,IV JosephR.Herbert MatthewD.Jenkins ElizabethW.Talley PeterC.Toms KellyJonesWilbanks,ExecutiveDirector NancyShepherd,DevelopmentAssociate FRIENDS OF HOLLYWOOD DavidL.Gilliam–GeneralManager WoodrowC.Harper–AssistantGeneral Manager MabelE.Toney–AdministrativeAssistant MaryLynnBayliss,Ph.D. WilliamR.Claiborne EdwardM.Farley,IV MatthewD.Jenkins ElizabethCabellJennings NelsonD.Lankford,Ph.D. E.BrysonPowell Page11 SPRING 2015 NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE 412 South Cherry Street Richmond, Virginia 23220 PAID PERMIT NO. 671 23232 Van Yahres’ employees demonstrate climbing skills required for many above ground pruning and thinning tasks. (See article on page 1.)
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