The Southern Memorial Association (SMA), founded in 1866, is the 501c3 organization that manages the Old City Cemetery. While the grounds are technically owned by the City of Lynchburg, SMA is responsible for the day to day operations, management and record keeping here at OCC. To learn more about the history and present-day purpose of SMA, click HERE.
Today, the Southern Memorial Association’s vision for Old City Cemetery Museums & Arboretum can be encapsulated in our values, mission, and vision statement.
Mission:
To make Old City Cemetery a sustainable and enduring landmark that engages and educates the greater Lynchburg community and beyond, through its history and horticulture.
Vision:
A Landscape that remembers, comforts, and inspires.
Values:
- Inclusiveness
We respect all people, and are committed to diversity in the composition of staff, donors, volunteers & community partners. - Appreciation
We recognize and celebrate the participation and contribution of our staff, donors, volunteers & community partners. - Excellence
We are committed to maintaining the highest standards for care and preservation of our historic grounds, collections, exhibits, and programs while fostering innovation.
Integrity
We are honest, just, dependable, accountable and transparent.
Board of Directors:
Paul Whitten, President
Steve Willis, Vice President/Development Committee Chair
David Firth, Treasurer/Finance Committee Chair
Hume Arthur, Secretary
Curt Baker (Chair, Facilities & Horticulture Committee)
Daniel Baker (Chair, Personnel Committee)
Jennifer Boyd
Mark Day (Chair, Historic Preservation Committee)
Claire W. Dodd
David Firth (Co-Chair, Development Committee)
Elisha D. Hall, Jr.
Gaynelle Hart, ex officio
Janet Hickman, ex officio
John H. Hoskins II, ex officio
Ann Houck (Relict)
Elizabeth (Libby) Jefferson (Chair, Community Relations Committee)
Claudia Patterson (ex officio)
Dr. Gerard Sherayko
Carolyn Sherayko
Clay Simmons, P.E. (ex officio)
Dawn Stamm
Nancy K. Young (Governance & Nominating Committee Chair)
Staff:
Dr. Jay White, Executive Director
Amelia Marshall, Director of Operations
Mark Day, Historian & Archivist
Zack Clifton, Historic Grounds Maintenance Manager
Morris, Sampson, and Baxter, Marketing and Events
Judi Harvey, Historian & Docent Coordinator
Caretakers: Kenneth Johnson and Wanda Porter
Old City Cemetery has been recognized nationally and internationally as follows:
1973: Virginia Historic Landmark on the National Register of Historic Places
2022: Achieved Level II Arboretum accreditation from the Morton Register of Arboreta, an internationally recognized standard of arboreta. Click HERE to view
According to TripAdvisor, Old City Cemetery is the #1 Tourist Destination in Lynchburg; a title we’ve proudly held for several years!
Check out our TripAdvisor page HERE.
