Funerary Art - Oakland Cemetery In Atlanta, GA...

Not long ago, a month maybe?, I took a solo trip to Atlanta to a) eat at Gato Bizco b) eat at Revolution Donuts (can you see a trend?) and c) visit Oakland Cemetery.  I ate at Gato Bizco first and got thoroughly stuffed on an omelette-dilla.  Yes, omelette-dilla.  An omelette stuffed into a quesadilla and then stuffed into my mouth hole.  Between that and a rare cuppa coffee served up strong, I was flying high when I drove to the cemetery around noonish.

Important Atlanta milestones are represented at Oakland, from early builders, to Civil War soldiers, to leaders of industry, to Civil Rights pioneers, no matter where you turn, history surrounds you. It is a shining example of the “rural garden” cemetery movement of the 19th century.  The garden cemetery featured winding paths, large shade trees, flowers, and shrubs, and appealing vistas. The garden cemetery concept was a forerunner of public park development in America.  Today, Oakland Cemetery is still used as a park for the community and is a valued green space in Atlanta.  It is also a repository for stunning art and architecture.  Elaborate mausoleums, soaring sculptures and effusive inscriptions speak of an age when the bereaved found consolation in extravagant expression.  Impressive art and architecture can be seen in many styles: Victorian, Greek Revival, Gothic, Neo-classical, Egyptian and Exotic Revival. Several mausoleums feature stained glass windows from Tiffany Studios. Bronze urns over six feet high were cast at Gorham Manufacturing Company in New York, the first art foundry in America. - Oakland Cemetery

To me, Oakland is a unique adventure because it dispels any of the 'visiting cemeteries is weird' nonsense and instead encourages people, and pets, to come out and enjoy the art and history and beauty of the area.  On the day I visited there were lots of folks taking pictures, people jogging, people taking tours, etc.  Oakland has a number of really neat events throughout the year plus they have a gaggle of cool mercantile goods...which I may or may not (read: totally did) bought a lot of.  Anyhoooo, I had an absolutely delightful time!

I concentrated on roaming the Victorian art heavy older areas, the Jewish section and the African-American section.  Unfortunately, I forgot to fully charge my camera the night before my adventures (rookie move!) and it died about two hours after I started my walk.  Well, that means I just have to go back again...and soon.

Oh, and Revolution Donuts?  They're to die for.  No pun intended.