Seeing Death Clearly Reviving Philadelphia’s Forgotten Mount Vernon Cemetery with Brandon Zimmerman
Brandon Zimmerman shares the fascinating history and challenges of Mount Vernon Cemetery, a hidden gem in North Philadelphia. Established in 1856, this 28-acre cemetery became a predominantly German burial ground, home to over 33,000 graves. Despite its historical significance, Mount Vernon has faced decades of neglect, transforming into an overgrown, derelict site. Today, the cemetery is an ecological marvel, with wildlife like deer, foxes, and native birds thriving amidst invasive overgrowth.
Brandon highlights Mount Vernon’s potential as a green space for the surrounding Strawberry Mansion neighborhood, an area in need of accessible natural spaces. Brandon hopes to reconnect the cemetery with the local community, fostering inclusivity and turning it into a space that serves as both a historical landmark and a neighborhood asset. Listeners will gain insight into Mount Vernon’s rich past, its present challenges, and the efforts to restore its dignity while embracing its wild, natural beauty.
The Mount Vernon Cemetery interment cards, a vital historic resource, were thought lost until a second, incomplete set was discovered in 2023. These 30,000+ cards, now being transcribed and digitized, are the only reliable means of locating burials at MVC and hold immense genealogical and historical value.
The Friends of Mount Vernon Cemetery are seeking $5,000 to complete this critical initiative, which will preserve this information for descendants, property restoration, and community engagement. 100% of your donation goes directly to the cards being transcribed. I hope you will consider donating after you listen to this episode.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-mount-vernon-cemeterys-interment-card-initiative
https://www.instagram.com/mtvernoncemetery
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