Oak Hill Cemetery: a city respite

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVNcS3P5tLACOmLn3jxLWPS7Sxr5Xhnf_elriLILAVEaPFwqxNgdHQHggixZgJiUvkREioc9T-J-al79NAu4w_egILvsFWttwcy9kwTxMolzAcKKVQq1hk-IbSfbBgiooEWegCjJ8wJg/s1600/Iris.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVNcS3P5tLACOmLn3jxLWPS7Sxr5Xhnf_elriLILAVEaPFwqxNgdHQHggixZgJiUvkREioc9T-J-al79NAu4w_egILvsFWttwcy9kwTxMolzAcKKVQq1hk-IbSfbBgiooEWegCjJ8wJg/s1600/Iris.JPG" width="292" /></a></div>Spring in Washington is a glorious thing but how does one enjoy it when our parks and streets are flooded with tourists? One of the best places to experience the season's flowers away from the crowds is <a href="http://www.oakhillcemeterydc.org/">Oak Hill Cemetery</a> in Georgetown along Rock Creek.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzT7_qjtKlmqj-I2n6mVC9Pw4qjA2nPJ9oa6k7j3hvMLUNr_pShzFjjBzId6xR840uIAeXj2wEkWaSZMzQPJ0IZgHoQ0OfGPiazHeiP4w74NlqZtBHK_kw2wQ7xedG58S1P7x1YyuKv-Y/s1600/cherry+blossoms.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzT7_qjtKlmqj-I2n6mVC9Pw4qjA2nPJ9oa6k7j3hvMLUNr_pShzFjjBzId6xR840uIAeXj2wEkWaSZMzQPJ0IZgHoQ0OfGPiazHeiP4w74NlqZtBHK_kw2wQ7xedG58S1P7x1YyuKv-Y/s1600/cherry+blossoms.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>With unfortunate limited hours this ancient cemetery is as pretty as nearby Rock Creek Park if not better. Flowering trees and flowers are in abundance along the steep terrain.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6rplZ32omFvcbhI1yk0w_S9DJnLv_v3MCLystFgq8uzsjAD2_iwcFv-NS_2MagRXpLMLGhZv_a63r70UjmVY2i1bjqxgBMhcAu5DA4iH_Sb0EC-okb42xidI7IwZh_zNmoXvg2M8y0c/s1600/oak+hill+cemetery.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6rplZ32omFvcbhI1yk0w_S9DJnLv_v3MCLystFgq8uzsjAD2_iwcFv-NS_2MagRXpLMLGhZv_a63r70UjmVY2i1bjqxgBMhcAu5DA4iH_Sb0EC-okb42xidI7IwZh_zNmoXvg2M8y0c/s1600/oak+hill+cemetery.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Established by an act of Congress in 1849 the cemetery is home to many notable names which fill history books.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzi9xCODHv2osYgw1NraGV1_9lrd0BCyuwe4vFHGmaAZ01jWOmbKjd1tuWigciKpbdHpddQhxzADLcDdQjWnR4ZXylFGPdyMd1MZE2yaHBQt8aR220Ajj96rQEfZRImlQ-0gNK-zhzLu8/s1600/old+cemetery.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzi9xCODHv2osYgw1NraGV1_9lrd0BCyuwe4vFHGmaAZ01jWOmbKjd1tuWigciKpbdHpddQhxzADLcDdQjWnR4ZXylFGPdyMd1MZE2yaHBQt8aR220Ajj96rQEfZRImlQ-0gNK-zhzLu8/s1600/old+cemetery.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>As any long time reader of this blog will know I've always loved old cemeteries as examples of mature gardens and have blogged about many (<a href="http://interior-design-pictures.blogspot.com/2011/04/allegheny-cemetery.html">Allegheny Cemetery</a> and <a href="http://interior-design-pictures.blogspot.com/2009/02/egyptian-avenue.html">Egyptian Avenue</a> are 2 examples). This one ranks up there among the most charming that I've visited.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-evzZWcebMEU1R_gSMXDuxynT97BKOf3tuY_tJYHAK6Gl41I2Zai6FvFs9EiySW8I_CQZ2S-XnAroO15rv35X4h-L34a46DWHPooRa6mtTLhf86KuxqX0arardtq4sxlqJ5nLf7cx7w/s1600/antique+cemetery.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-evzZWcebMEU1R_gSMXDuxynT97BKOf3tuY_tJYHAK6Gl41I2Zai6FvFs9EiySW8I_CQZ2S-XnAroO15rv35X4h-L34a46DWHPooRa6mtTLhf86KuxqX0arardtq4sxlqJ5nLf7cx7w/s1600/antique+cemetery.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> I love this mausoleum in the form of a stately Greek temple atop one hill.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7I4blIedbDiVZbmE-uZ0V7dUZUT-aRpczha5-rIAPgOahvnrywBzx4hk6SQHl8wDel7AxRe6CTzt2_JsrMC11Xs2FrKRMfw2iB7OVBZgsDUfg0FR3-YxCGw0cQai7GOHgA7rP1KeJ18/s1600/greek+temple.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7I4blIedbDiVZbmE-uZ0V7dUZUT-aRpczha5-rIAPgOahvnrywBzx4hk6SQHl8wDel7AxRe6CTzt2_JsrMC11Xs2FrKRMfw2iB7OVBZgsDUfg0FR3-YxCGw0cQai7GOHgA7rP1KeJ18/s1600/greek+temple.JPG" width="283" /></a></div>The older tombstones have so much more character than the granite blocks one uses mostly today.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhQBFNzhBw9bJkBBdq7YuYke-gaCavuylYY6k3yszPLK8zaqPBcKm78IK1dW0ERauKNO2M-Wr5c8uqOjgRGZboRtmJYuSeUyg_gnvIkwNjPcovGWTkCoNrLtsPN26Dp9OsoA7PegAo3o/s1600/cross+tombstone.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhQBFNzhBw9bJkBBdq7YuYke-gaCavuylYY6k3yszPLK8zaqPBcKm78IK1dW0ERauKNO2M-Wr5c8uqOjgRGZboRtmJYuSeUyg_gnvIkwNjPcovGWTkCoNrLtsPN26Dp9OsoA7PegAo3o/s1600/cross+tombstone.JPG" width="292" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The hand chiseled calligraphy on most is astounding in this age of machine-age engraving. It's interesting to see how the different stones have aged over time: marble, granite, sandstone, etc.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfiGLhcY6Guin5rZ0TuXXu5L-eAgb_zif95H0Z8Qe1z1wKMu3DdWue7diUXbBR59pjrMPYw0ig2ZmUKvVDSGcJcNBi02uMShfa4w8gqSnmxNa6LYmgw60EFQtJbd5DehAWFJc9xVkeh8/s1600/antique+tombstone.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfiGLhcY6Guin5rZ0TuXXu5L-eAgb_zif95H0Z8Qe1z1wKMu3DdWue7diUXbBR59pjrMPYw0ig2ZmUKvVDSGcJcNBi02uMShfa4w8gqSnmxNa6LYmgw60EFQtJbd5DehAWFJc9xVkeh8/s1600/antique+tombstone.JPG" width="272" /></a></div> My favorites tend towards the simple tombstones such as this scroll (is it morbid to have a favorite?).<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYus4NNqAo7d2sxua5nkCewxTEO3IqSBZJhj6dU_O7cr0FSY9tr4kyDDDrhmAibVY8_lNjiWOAqgeoJ4CEEmFuIlMJTAupZSespN_iskxBvNZs_jhXOoc8IxTHoiT9Ccc2w1xK-FMt4Gg/s1600/scroll+tombstone.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYus4NNqAo7d2sxua5nkCewxTEO3IqSBZJhj6dU_O7cr0FSY9tr4kyDDDrhmAibVY8_lNjiWOAqgeoJ4CEEmFuIlMJTAupZSespN_iskxBvNZs_jhXOoc8IxTHoiT9Ccc2w1xK-FMt4Gg/s1600/scroll+tombstone.JPG" width="283" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you can find the time in your schedule to align with the cemeteries open hours I highly suggest a visit! Information on the <a href="http://www.oakhillcemeterydc.org/">Oak Hill Cemetery</a> website.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUts7b1j1wEymykcONWjMTuVShOwPsxxaTM_Zdx5Pl2pLpRo4JykcaMPzUxyXDjOs67KlXBCMT3r97uT7OTvlUK8zbOuyIV01twFHKeTnh5GkteiXC8Nl7mM-uyc_cuPXDikrkd7LcDzo/s1600/cross+with+flowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUts7b1j1wEymykcONWjMTuVShOwPsxxaTM_Zdx5Pl2pLpRo4JykcaMPzUxyXDjOs67KlXBCMT3r97uT7OTvlUK8zbOuyIV01twFHKeTnh5GkteiXC8Nl7mM-uyc_cuPXDikrkd7LcDzo/s1600/cross+with+flowers.JPG" width="295" /></a></div><br />

Oak Hill Cemetery: a city respite

Spring in Washington is a glorious thing but how does one enjoy it when our parks and streets are flooded with tourists? One of the best pla...

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