During the nineteenth century, Americans began to develop a new relationship with death. Urbanite... more During the nineteenth century, Americans began to develop a new relationship with death. Urbanites were less confronted with the constant presence of the dead and dying than they had in the past. A new trend in cemeteries also developed as a result. The Rural Cemetery Movement promoted the idea that the dead should be buried amongst a natural setting that was pleasing and calming to visitors. The first few initial cemeteries were an immediate success, but this was not the case in Richmond, Virginia. Although the developers had grand ideas about their cemetery project, Richmonders opposed the cemetery in the first several years. They feared that the cemetery would stunt the growth of the city or even harm the health of the city's citizens. Over time, however, Richmonders began to accept the cemetery and with this they formed a new understanding of nature that was pleasing and allowed Americans to value natural settings. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This dissertation was funded through two institutions: The Winterthur Museum, Garden, and Library in Delaware and the Virginia Historical Society in Richmond. I would like to thank the staff at both institutions for their assistance and hospitality. I would also like to thank my advisor, Anne E. Marshall, and dissertation committee, Alison Greene, Jim Giesen, and especially Judy Ridner, for their time and assistance throughout the process. Additionally, many of the professors and staff in the Mississippi State University history department have helped me in numerous ways. A number of my colleagues and friends have also helped me through graduate school by keeping me sane for the most part. These include
After the Civil War individuals throughout the country erected monuments dedicated to the soldier... more After the Civil War individuals throughout the country erected monuments dedicated to the soldiers and events of the conflict. In East Tennessee these memorials allowed some citizens to promote their ideas by invoking both Union and Confederate Civil War sympathies. Initially, East Tennesseans endorsed the creation of a Unionist image to advertise the region's potential for industrialization. By 1910 this depiction waned as local and northern whites joined to promote reconciliation and Confederate sympathizers met less opposition to their ideas than in the past. After 1919 white East Tennesseans, enmeshed in the boom and bust cycles of the national economy, reasserted "traditional" values. Local women of the United Daughters of the Confederacy mythologized Confederate soldiers, antebellum white women, and humble slaves of the past to calm the tensions of the present. By 1931 they ensured that the region's history was unequivocally tied to a Confederate image despite its Unionist heritage. like to thank my thesis advisor Dr. Steven Nash who consistently challenged and encouraged me to improve throughout this process. His knowledge, willingness, and dedication made this project possible. I would also like to thank other members of the East Tennessee State University History Department faculty and staff, including my thesis committee: Dr. Andrew Slap, Dr. Stephen Fritz, and Dr. Tom Lee. In addition, Dr. Melvin Page played an important role in my career at ETSU and I would like to express my gratitude. Both Sharon Chandler and Kathy Hurt also lent great amounts of encouragement and assistance. I appreciate everything they have done for me and for all us on the first floor of Rogers-Stout Hall. I also want to extend my thanks to my graduate colleagues, many of whom have become close, and lifelong friends. I would especially like to acknowledge Brandi McCloud who reminded me that there was hope even when I was "lost in the ocean," and Kim Woodring who consistently encouraged me "on to the next." I would also like to thank the staff of the Heritage Alliance of Jonesborough, Tennessee for their support. In addition I want to express many thanks to the staff of the Sherrod Library for their assistance with circulation, microfilm, and Inter Library Loans. The ETSU Graduate School also provided me with financial assistance that greatly aided in my research endeavors. Lastly, I would like to extend a sincere thank you to my family: My father David Nelson, who taught his children to work hard; my sister Cortney Nelson, who has always been there to laugh with me; and my mother Terri Nelson, who is my inspiration and strength.
After the Civil War individuals throughout the country erected monuments dedicated to the soldier... more After the Civil War individuals throughout the country erected monuments dedicated to the soldiers and events of the conflict. In East Tennessee these memorials allowed some citizens to promote their ideas by invoking both Union and Confederate Civil War sympathies. Initially, East Tennesseans endorsed the creation of a Unionist image to advertise the region's potential for industrialization. By 1910 this depiction waned as local and northern whites joined to promote reconciliation and Confederate sympathizers met less opposition to their ideas than in the past. After 1919 white East Tennesseans, enmeshed in the boom and bust cycles of the national economy, reasserted "traditional" values. Local women of the United Daughters of the Confederacy mythologized Confederate soldiers, antebellum white women, and humble slaves of the past to calm the tensions of the present. By 1931 they ensured that the region's history was unequivocally tied to a Confederate image despite its Unionist heritage. like to thank my thesis advisor Dr. Steven Nash who consistently challenged and encouraged me to improve throughout this process. His knowledge, willingness, and dedication made this project possible. I would also like to thank other members of the East Tennessee State University History Department faculty and staff, including my thesis committee: Dr. Andrew Slap, Dr. Stephen Fritz, and Dr. Tom Lee. In addition, Dr. Melvin Page played an important role in my career at ETSU and I would like to express my gratitude. Both Sharon Chandler and Kathy Hurt also lent great amounts of encouragement and assistance. I appreciate everything they have done for me and for all us on the first floor of Rogers-Stout Hall. I also want to extend my thanks to my graduate colleagues, many of whom have become close, and lifelong friends. I would especially like to acknowledge Brandi McCloud who reminded me that there was hope even when I was "lost in the ocean," and Kim Woodring who consistently encouraged me "on to the next." I would also like to thank the staff of the Heritage Alliance of Jonesborough, Tennessee for their support. In addition I want to express many thanks to the staff of the Sherrod Library for their assistance with circulation, microfilm, and Inter Library Loans. The ETSU Graduate School also provided me with financial assistance that greatly aided in my research endeavors. Lastly, I would like to extend a sincere thank you to my family: My father David Nelson, who taught his children to work hard; my sister Cortney Nelson, who has always been there to laugh with me; and my mother Terri Nelson, who is my inspiration and strength.
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