Nashville City Cemetery, cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville City Cemetery is a public burial ground in Nashville, Tennessee, opened in 1822 and continuously in use since then, holding approximately 20,000 graves. The grounds cover multiple acres with various sections, old trees, and monuments ranging from simple headstones to larger family plots.
The cemetery was purchased in 1820 and officially opened in 1822 to serve Nashville's growing population. During the Civil War, soldiers from both sides were buried here, though Union soldiers were later relocated to a national cemetery.
The cemetery reflects Nashville's diverse past through the burial patterns of different communities, from early settlers to later arrivals. The separate section for African American graves in the southwestern area shows how communities were organized across the cemetery's history.
The cemetery is open daily from dawn to dusk and offers guided tours, free monthly tours on the second Saturday, and a self-guided app for exploring at your own pace. Parking is available on Oak Street and at the cemetery entrance, and visitors should watch for fallen branches from recent storms.
William Driver, who named the American flag 'Old Glory,' is buried here among other notable figures like singers from the Fisk Jubilee Singers. The cemetery also holds graves of Nashville's founders and Confederate generals, making it a place where significant figures of American history rest.
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