Be sure and view this video, "The Cemetery of Life," by local filmmaker Siam J. Manuels with the Knoxville Re-Animation Coalition and others. The documentary tells the story of the Odd Fellows Cemetery in East Knoxville, the final resting place for 30 Civil War veterans who'd served in the 1st U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery unit.
The African-American soldiers are hailed as "the protectors of Knoxville." But many of their graves lack identification, and preservationists who aim to honor the families and veterans interred in Odd Fellows Cemetery have to both pick up litter and beat back invasive vegetation. The film applauds members of the coalition, City of Knoxville crews and the University of Tennessee researchers for their preservation efforts, but more work is needed to fully restore dignity and honor to Odd Fellows.
During Black History Month, City Blog will be researching and publishing interesting items on how African-Americans served the City - either as City employees, or as pioneers in government positions, or as artists and storytellers. We'll be publishing rare photos and, in the case of "The Cemetery of Life" documentary, a film that explores how black soldiers during the Civil War vigilantly guarded Knoxville.