HOLLYWOOD PLANTATION CEMETERIES ASSOCIATION*
We've earned the Candid Silver Seal!
Preserving an important piece of Baton Rouge History
Under this pile of rubble lies a Revolutionary War Soldier, Virginia Militia Captain Abraham Bird Sr. He deserves a more secure resting place that his family and the community can be proud to visit. Help us make that happen!
OUR VISION & MISSION
Our Vision
The vision of Hollywood Plantation Cemeteries Association is that the Hollywood Plantation Cemeteries are renovated and repaired in a manner, and to a level, agreed to by the Board of Directors, with input from the community; and to provide for the eternal care and maintenance of the cemeteries for future generations; and to provide the community with historical context, so that all who visit shall appreciate and revere the people, who are buried in these cemeteries as well as their historical contributions (both willing and unwilling).
Our Mission
To plan and execute, to the most reasonable extent possible, the security, renovation, repair, perpetual maintenance, and remembrance of the Hollywood Plantation Cemeteries and those buried there; and to provide information on the historical importance of these cemeteries to our community and to the larger community via the Internet.
In 2014, Emily Ford, who holds a M.S. degree in Historical Preservation. was contracted to perform an evaluation of the Bird Family Cemetery. From the existing scattered segments (seen in the photo above) she "reconstructed", in words, the monument for Abraham Bird Jr and his wife, Mary Bowie. This drawing puts an image to that description. Not including the top portion of the obelisk that is broken and missing, the structure would be nine feet tall!
Our Plan for the Bird Cemetery
Our projects for this cemetery may include:
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Secure the site using the existing chain link fence and gates to assure undisturbed reconstruction.
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Reduce height of existing flat topped mound, if deemed practical by experts.
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Perform Ground-Penetrating Radar to locate any additional graves.
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Restore the tomb of Abraham Bird Sr.
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Determine best location, then build new foundation for the monument for Abraham Bird Jr. & Mary Bowie and restore the monument.
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Determine best location and rebuild the monument for Mary Caroline Bird.
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Restore the graves of other family members as accurately as practical.
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Consider adding sidewalk, bench, etc.
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Design & construct a durable information sign that includes a brief history of the plantation and cemetery and a listing of those interred.
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Create a trust to finance perpetual care of the cemetery, including lawn care.
Check out the sketch below!
In the sketch above, the graves have been partially exposed by removing some of the rectangular mound that currently exists. The original tomb and individual graves were all built to set the coffins above ground, because the water table is so near the surface. The mound is believed to have been initially installed by the Bird family as a reaction to flooding conditions. It was likely about 24 inches above the land around it. This view illustrates the concept of removing the soil that was added to the site by LSU several decades ago. By bringing the soil surface elevation down, the tomb and graves will be more attractive and enable proper repair.
Existing Conditions of Several Graves
