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NEWS RELEASE
Clarksville’s Mt Olive Cemetery Added to National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archeological resources.
According to Nick Nicholson, President of the Mt Olive Cemetery Historic Preservation Society, he and board members worked in partnership with the State’s Historical Commission over the past 2 years researching and refining the application for the National Parks Service. In October, the Society briefed Clarksville’s Regional Historic Zoning Commission which unanimously approved the nomination, clearing the application’s pathway to the State and onto Washington for final consideration and approval.
On 16 November 2020, the cemetery was designated a National Historic Place.
The Mt. Olive Cemetery is a 7.24-acre African American cemetery established around 1817 on the south side of Clarksville. Mt. Olive is Clarksville’s largest, private African American cemetery which accepted interments from 1817 to 1958. An estimated 1350 graves are located within the cemetery, although a ground penetrating radar study would suggest that is a conservative estimate.
Among the many individuals interred in Mt. Olive Cemetery, there are currently identified 215 civilians and thirty military veterans, of which 30 are known United States Colored Troops (USCT), one World War II veteran, and one Buffalo Soldier. These numbers include two new US Colored Troops recently discovered by the Society.
The Mt Olive Cemetery Historical Preservation Society is a 501(c)3 Public Benefit Non-Profit Organization whose mission is to emphasize the influence and contributions of African-Americans regarding the history, education, development, growth and culture of the Clarksville, Tennessee area.
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National Register Listing
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/environment/historic-commission/thc_national-reg_draftsseptember2020/TN_Montgomery%20County_Mt%20Olive%20Cemetery%20Watermarked.pdf
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Historical Register News Coverage:
CLARKSVILLE NOW
https://clarksvillenow.com/local/mt-olive-cemetery-added-to-national-register-of-historic-places/
Z97.5 Radio
https://z975.com/local/mt-olive-cemetery-added-to-national-register-of-historic-places/
MAIN STREET Clarksville – Montgomery County’s Local News Paper
https://www.mainstreetclarksville.com/news/mount-olive-cemetery-placed-on-the-national-register-of-historic-places/article_da9dffce-300f-11eb-9f05-632532ce6c58.html
The Leaf Chronicle
https://www.theleafchronicle.com/story/news/local/clarksville/2020/11/24/mt-olive-cemetery-black-owned-clarksville-national-register-historic-places/6367038002/
MTSU Center for Historic Preservation
https://www.facebook.com/MTSUCHP/
News Channel 8 - Knoxville, Tennessee
https://www.wvlt.tv/2020/11/21/six-new-tenn-sites-added-to-national-register-of-historic-places
Through our research and partnership efforts, the Mt Olive Cemetery Historical Preservation Society seeks to develop educational briefings, papers, guided and self-guided tour opportunities and lectures on the history of the cemetery, and those citizens and US Military Veterans who lay at rest at Mt Olive.
As members of the Society we embrace the journey of discovery that lays before us.
Motivated by the opportunities that this journey will build friendships and partnerships across our community, we invite you to join us and help celebrate the diversity and rich history of Clarksville, Tennessee.
DECEMBER 2020
Nashville's News Channel 5 and Reporter Eric Hilt Visit Mt Olive
News 5's Eric Holt Interviews the Society's Historian Ms. Phyllis Smith regarding the history of the Cemetery and the recent listing on the National Historic Register. The report aired on News 4 on 9 Dec 2020
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Annual Fund Raiser Set for 19 - 24 DEC 2020
Governors Square Mall - Clarksville, TN
Governors Square Mall - Clarksville, TN
NOVEMBER 2020
Mt Olive Cemetery Historical Preservation Society
Honors America's Veterans on Veterans Day
11 Nov 2020
Society members, Rotarians from the Sunrise Rotary Club of Clarksville and local High School Students gathered on the morning of 11 November 2020 to honor the US Veterans buried at Mt Olive Cemetery. Society members read the President Proclamation, conducted the Veteran Roll Call and played Taps in recognition of the US Colored Troops, Buffalo Soldier and World War II Soldier buried at Mt Olive. Volunteers assisted in placing US Flags at each of the Veterans' graves.
Honors America's Veterans on Veterans Day
11 Nov 2020
Society members, Rotarians from the Sunrise Rotary Club of Clarksville and local High School Students gathered on the morning of 11 November 2020 to honor the US Veterans buried at Mt Olive Cemetery. Society members read the President Proclamation, conducted the Veteran Roll Call and played Taps in recognition of the US Colored Troops, Buffalo Soldier and World War II Soldier buried at Mt Olive. Volunteers assisted in placing US Flags at each of the Veterans' graves.
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JROTC Cadets from Clarksville and Kenwood High School render salutes during the flag raising ceremony prior to the Community Service Project
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OCTOBER 2020
JULY 2020
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Society Members, Volunteers and Staff From MTSU unload equipment for the Headstone Restoration Seminar at Mt Olive Cemetery - Oct 2020.
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25 MAY 2020
Memorial Day Flag Raising and Remembrance Ceremony
Memorial Day Flag Raising and Remembrance Ceremony
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27 May 2019
Memorial Day Celebration
Memorial Day Celebration
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19 May 2019
Annual May Clean-up And BBQ
Annual May Clean-up And BBQ
CMCSS Students, JROTC Cadets, Teachers, friends and Society Members conducted
a major Clean-up effort on 19 May 2019.
A BBQ was held at Liberty Park for all of the Volunteers.
It was another great opportunity for our community to share and learn about MT Olive!
a major Clean-up effort on 19 May 2019.
A BBQ was held at Liberty Park for all of the Volunteers.
It was another great opportunity for our community to share and learn about MT Olive!
Students from Clarksville High School (JROTC Cadets) and Richview Middle School gather at the MT Olive Retreat Area following their community service work at the Cemetery.
16 March 2019
Montgomery County Historical Society - Presentation
9 FEBRUARY 2019
Celebrating Black History Month at Ft Defiance
Society Members, Friends, Community Leaders and fellow citizens gathered at Ft Defiance to Celebrate Black History Month. A wreath Laying Ceremony at Ft Defiance's flag pole was proceeded by a 30 minute presentation on the US Colored Troops of America's Civil War and a reflection on veterans interred at MT Olive.
12 November 2018
Society Members Gather at the Cemetery Retreat Area
for the 2018 Veterans Day Flag Raising Ceremony
Society Members Gather at the Cemetery Retreat Area
for the 2018 Veterans Day Flag Raising Ceremony
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18 AUGUST 2018
Mt Olive's GOSPEL CELEBRATION Unites the Community
and Honors Mt Olive's African-Americans
Mt Olive's GOSPEL CELEBRATION Unites the Community
and Honors Mt Olive's African-Americans
28 May 2018
Society Members and Special Guests conducted the
Annual Memorial Day Flag Raising and Honors Ceremony.
Members and guests toured Mt Olive
and placed American Flags at the graves of all the Veterans.
Society Members and Special Guests conducted the
Annual Memorial Day Flag Raising and Honors Ceremony.
Members and guests toured Mt Olive
and placed American Flags at the graves of all the Veterans.
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20 May 2018
The Society Celebrates Eagle Scout Project with Flag Raising Ceremony
The Society Celebrates Eagle Scout Project with Flag Raising Ceremony
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The Society held a Commemorative Flag Raising Ceremony in recognition of the Cemetery's new Flag Pole and Retreat Area. Boy Scout Matthew Riley from Clarksville's Troop 525 designed and managed the installation as part of his Eagle Scout Project.
The Society is extremely proud of Matthew's leadership and patriotism and congratulate him on his hard work and dedication! |
15 March 2018
Sunrise Rotary Club of Clarksville Hosts
Mt Olive Cemetery Historical Preservation Society
The Society's President Nick Nicholson and Director of Education and Engagement Mike Taliento
presented "In Our Own Back Yard" to Rotary International's Sunrise Rotary Club of Clarksville.
The Sunrise Club is a partnered civic organization with the Society and continues support our mission and can been seen volunteering at our quarterly cemetery clean-up events. The Society is grateful for Rotary's support to our restoration and maintenance mission and for the fund-raiser support provided during our annual fund raising event!
Sunrise Rotary Club of Clarksville Hosts
Mt Olive Cemetery Historical Preservation Society
The Society's President Nick Nicholson and Director of Education and Engagement Mike Taliento
presented "In Our Own Back Yard" to Rotary International's Sunrise Rotary Club of Clarksville.
The Sunrise Club is a partnered civic organization with the Society and continues support our mission and can been seen volunteering at our quarterly cemetery clean-up events. The Society is grateful for Rotary's support to our restoration and maintenance mission and for the fund-raiser support provided during our annual fund raising event!
21 FEB 2018
Educational Engagement with Nashville State
Honors Mt Olive's US Colored Troops
Educational Engagement with Nashville State
Honors Mt Olive's US Colored Troops
Historian Phyllis Smith engages students from Nashville State Community College on the History of Mt Olive Cemetery, highlighting some of its permanent residents who served in US Colored Troop Regiments during the Civil War.
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17 FEB 2018
Black History Month Celebration and Reflection
Presentation at Ft Defiance and Wreath Laying Ceremony
Black History Month Celebration and Reflection
Presentation at Ft Defiance and Wreath Laying Ceremony
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27-28 October 2017
Mt Olive Cemetery Historical Preservation Society Presents Briefing on US Colored Troops at
APSU Symposium on African-Americans and the Civil War.
Mt Olive Cemetery Historical Preservation Society Presents Briefing on US Colored Troops at
APSU Symposium on African-Americans and the Civil War.
10 September 2017
Mt Olive Cemetery Historical Preservation Society Conducts Welcome Home Veterans Celebration
Mt Olive Cemetery Historical Preservation Society Conducts Welcome Home Veterans Celebration
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August 2017
Society Members Install the New Sign
Society Members Install the New Sign
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Mt Olive Cemetery is the final resting place of many
U.S. Civil War United States Colored Troops.
Here's what we've discovered so far!
U.S. Civil War United States Colored Troops.
Here's what we've discovered so far!
