friendship cemetery

Not only is Friendship Cemetery beautiful, is is a wonderful stop for the history lover! This cemetery is said to be the orgin of Memorial Day, started when local women decorated the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers here. Many Confederate graves remain (Union graves were relocated) as well as beautiful monuments. Tales of The Crypt is a great Pilgrimage event where visitors learn more about locals buried in Friendship Cemetery through short presentations done in historical costume by students at the School for Math Science.

Well maintained by the City of Columbus, Mississippi. So much history for the history buff at this cemetery. The Mississippi School for Math and Science does a Tales from the Crypt every year during Pilgrimage. Open to everyone.

This cemetery is by far one of the most beautiful and inspiring photographic scenes I have ever come upon. The "weeping angle" or "the angle of grief" as some people call her, is a site in herself. She is about 6 feet tall (base and all) and she is the grave marker for the Teasdale family.During the Civil War years two lots of the graveyard were set aside for the burial of confederate soldiers. Many of those are unknown soldiers. Friendship Cemetery in Columbus is known for numerous reasons. This is the place where what we know as Memorial Day originated. A year after the Civil War ended, the ladies of Columbus decorated the graves of the Confederate and Union soldiers buried here starting a tradition that has lasted all the way to our time.

The weeping angel alone is worth the drive, not the easiest place to find on GPS but it's worth finding. If you're going to take photos, go at sunset. The sunsets behind all the tombstones.

This cemetery holds the remains of soldier and civilian alike. It is a place of tranquility and reflection, and reminds us that we will all end up in cemeteries just like this one some day, sooner or later. The cemetery is dotted with trees which bring welcome shade from the burning sun. Quite a number of the Confederate Graves are to Unknown Confederate soldier.

It's great to visit to help understand the city's history. It paints a picture of the involvement in the Civil War.

For the history of Columbus and Lowndes County its here. There is a large section of graves of Confederate soldiers who died from wounds from the Battle of Shiloh April 1862 most of them unknown. There are military heroes here from the American Revolution through Iraq and Afghanistan. The first Memorial Day was held here. Picturesque monuments from the 19th century and Victorian periods. And the magnolia trees, wow. The neighborhood outside the fences can be sketchy and the gates close at dark, but otherwise it is easy to navigate around the old part.

This is a beautiful cemetery with lots of history! Make the time to visit if you can. There are a number of civil war era gravesites in addition to the "normal" gravesites.

The spring event, Tales from the Crypt, is a walking night-time tour with vignettes acted out by local high school students bringing to life the personalities of the people buried in the graves. And the tombstones are elaborate and beautiful. Bring your camera.

What amazing stories this historic cemetery can tell. The annual Tales from the Crypt is a must see. We have attended for the past several years and look forward to going once again during the Columbus Pilgrimage. The following is an excerpt from the Columbus, MS website:"Since 1991, history students at the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science ( a public, residential high school for gifted students, located on the historic campus of the Mississippi University for Women in Columbus) have presented Tales from the Crypt, a dramatization where history comes to life."If you can not make it to Columbus during the Pilgrimage, I would suggest just a thoughtful stroll through this remarkable cemetery.

Step back in time at Friendship Cemetery where you'll find Southern history and beautifully sculpted gravestones among century old magnolias. Stroll through the cemetery to read loving memorials with angels, cherubs and crosses. In April evenings for a small fee experience the history of Columbus through "Tales from the Crypt." Mississippi School of Math & Science high school students research and creatively bring the stories of cemetery residents to life.

Originally called decoration day and founded in this cemetery by local ladies to honor the fallen Civil War soldiers ( Confederate and Union ) Well worth your time to visit this site that is so rich with history. Maybe 2 miles South of downtown on South 4th Street. Basically a self-guided tour as there is no regular staff at the location.