WESTVIEW HISTORIC CEMETERY DISTRICT MAINTENANCE

West View Historic Cemetery District consists of Crestview, Southern Chain and Longview cemeteries. It is the largest African American burial site in Knox County with many ties to the Knoxville community. It is also 1 of 12 ABANDONED cemeteries in Knoxville. Over the last few years a number efforts have been made to maintain the grounds. From KNOX COUNTY Inmates to one time contracts. The most recently effort was made May 9th, 2022 after many community members could NOT visit there loved ones for Mother’s Day.

The grounds at Crestview Cemetery hadn’t been mowed for almost 2 years. Grass & weeds were over 3.5 feet tall, headstones moved from plots, making it difficult to find or even see some of the gravestones. For many people who have loved ones buried here, the site of the cemetery is disheartening.

After seeing our most recent effort, a matching $5k contribution will come from Belmont Heights Baptist Church & RISE865 of First Baptist Concord, Providing a total of $10k. Donations will be helping on the behalf the community to raise funds to keep the grass & property maintained for a FULL CALENDER year until decisions have been made on how to move forward long term. Funds will be used to purchase grass cutting machinery, along with gas, & other necessities needed to keep the site maintained. We do not currently have any machines capable of doing this. Finding & hiring contractors to undertake this weekly /biweekly task while figuring out a long term solution is prohibitively expensive. So if you are able to support to keep the grounds in good condition it would be very grateful. Thank you!

Here below is a link for ensite on cemetery maintenance, maintenance funds & how cemeteries can end up abandoned https://cemeteries.uslegal.com/cemetery-maintenance/maintenance-funds/?amp