Creating a more complete history of Carolina encompasses such a broad range of exploration into the past, interpretation within the present, and decisions for the future, that one wishing to uncover clues as to how we arrived at this present day must work with more than the traditional sources of scholarly research.  Interpreting the Old Chapel Hill Cemetery took me on a journey into the physical presence of the gravesites, books written about the people and places associated with the cemetery, articles over recent controversies surrounding the cemetery, and interviews with a variety of people, including descendants of a number of the cemetery’s residents. Piecing the information together, I was amazed at the number of differing opinions and perspectives on issues concerning the cemetery, its upkeep, and the public’s awareness of what is held within the cemetery’s walls, leading me to believe that now is a crucial time to take action towards preserving the links held above and below ground in what Professor Bland Simpson calls the “city of the dead.”

            In this article I hope you will find something of personal interest to you leading you to either visit the cemetery or have a voice in the debates that will decide what comes of all that is held within the cemetery’s past, present, and future.

Make sure to check out the photo gallery!