Guided History Walk- Oakdale Cemetery Stories and Historic Monuments

On Sunday, September 14, and Friday, October 10, a guided tour of Historic Oakdale Cemetery, Hendersonville’s only municipal cemetery, shares stories of the town’s early days through its quirky, colorful citizens. The famous Italian marble monument which inspired the title of Thomas Wolfe’s novel Look Homeward, Angel is in Oakdale, along with both marked and unmarked graves of historic figures. The heritage of the local African-American community is told in the historic Black section of the cemetery, while the designated Jewish cemetery reveals how the town grew to embrace ethnic and religious groups through the years. How and why the cemetery was created, names of those who helped build the town and where they were laid to rest, where the Sunshine Lady is buried, and more questions will be answered. The walk begins at 10 a.m. in the cemetery.

Cost for each tour is $10 per person 10 years and older. Children under 10 are free with a paid adult.  Space is limited and reservations are requested. Contact history walk leader Mary Jo Padgett at maryjo@maryjopadgett.com or via the website at www.maryjopadgett.com to make a reservation or to arrange a private tour for a group. To see the entire schedule for 2025, visit the website and click on the Guided Walks page.