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Commission discusses St. James cemetery preservation and Oak Hill state-legislation progress
Summary
Commissioners reviewed work to identify graves and stabilize St. James Cemetery and noted legislative movement on Oak Hill preservation; attendees described ground-penetrating radar interest, marker repair workshops and a pending state bill in the legislature.
Under old business the commission discussed St. James Cemetery and preservation steps that researchers and volunteers have been pursuing.
A commissioner said efforts include researching unmarked graves, using ground-penetrating radar to estimate burial counts and improving the site as a small historical park with markers and landscaping. The commissioner noted that both prominent local figures and African Americans likely buried there—"probably slaves that were buried"—are among those interred in unmarked graves and that a cemetery preservation workshop will be attended by the team engaged in research.
Commission members also discussed Oak Hill preservation efforts before the Virginia General Assembly. One commissioner said an article reported that a bill had passed one house and moved to the Senate and that they would reach out to state senators to track progress. That commissioner cautioned uncertainty about the legislative status when speaking: "I'm saying this slowly because I'm not 100% certain that I have that right. But it is making progress in terms of moving through the legislature."
No formal action or funding request was approved at the meeting. Commissioners agreed to continue outreach with county and state contacts, to pursue cemetery documentation, and to report back as the workshop and legislative developments proceed.
