Description

Elevation: 789 ft.

This historic cemetery offers the nature enthusiast opportunities to find wildlife in 26-acres of open fields, wooded lots, a small pond, and wildflower gardens. A bird, shrub, butterfly, and tree guide can be picked up at the main entrance to the cemetery. Established in 1806, more than 20,000 people of religious, social, and historic significance are buried at Old City Cemetery. Interpretive signage throughout the grounds denotes historical as well as natural history characteristics of this site.

Common nesting birds throughout the grounds include brown thrasher, chipping sparrow, and indigo bunting. American goldfinch, eastern bluebird, red-bellied woodpecker, northern flicker, and song sparrow are year-round denizens. During migration, look for yellow-rumped warbler, and in the winter, keep an eye out for white-throated sparrow and dark-eyed junco. An extensive antique rose garden, an antique daffodil collection, and a lotus pond may intrigue gardeners and plant lovers. Other blooming flowers such as buddleia, milkweed, yarrow, abelia, echinacea, and herbs attract butterflies such as eastern tiger swallowtail, great-spangled fritillary, spicebush swallowtail, and several species of skippers.

Directions

From the James River Heritage Trail, return to Main Street and turn right, traveling west for 0.5 miles to US 29 Business. Go left, heading south, on US 29 Business/Fifth Street for 0.6 miles to Taylor Street. Turn right onto Taylor Street; proceed for less than 0.1 miles through the entrance into the Old City Cemetery.