Old City Cemetery celebrates antique roses in 24th annual festival

Mrs. F.W. Sanford and Mrs. Anthony Waterer met in the Confederate burial grounds of Old City Cemetery in 1986. Over the years, they put down roots and were joined by a variety of other antique roses, including General Washington. Every spring, the group, which has grown to several hundred, reemerges in full color. 

Jane Barber White, a former cemetery director, first encouraged the relationship in the early 1980s. She noticed the cemetery was neglected, and she wanted to restore the historic site to its former glory. 

“(White) came along and said, ‘We need to do something. Why don’t we start with the roses?’” Denise McDonald, executive director of Old City Cemetery, said.

With the help of famous rosarian Carl Cato, White began introducing antique roses into the cemetery, which are often named after historical figures and monarchs. Now, the cemetery boasts the largest collection of antique roses in Virginia. 

Lynchburg’s Old City Cemetery kicked off its 24th Annual Antique Rose Festival April 13, which celebrates the nearly 400 varieties of antique roses found in the public park. The festival continues through June 2. 

During the festival, visitors can enjoy the collection during its peak bloom season, purchase cuttings from the cemetery’s roses and participate in a variety of activities that benefit the history and horticulture of Old City Cemetery.

McDonald said there is “something for everyone” at this year’s festival. New events include the Mother’s Day Rose Craft and the Wine & Roses Benefit Garden Party. Proceeds from the garden party will go toward the cemetery and its programs.

According to the resident rosarian, Kaye Moomaw, about 150 varieties of antique roses will be available for purchase. The inventory for this year’s sale includes cuttings from both the cemetery’s roses and other varieties selected by Moomaw. The rosarian and her husband propagated more than 1,500 clippings for this year’s sale at their farm, Irvington Spring Farm, for about a year.

“I chose varieties that have low maintenance (and are) well rated by the American Rose Society to try to have things that people can grow on patios in pots,” Moomaw said of the varieties chosen from outside of the cemetery. “If you love roses but don’t have a big yard, some of these things you just can’t have. If you’re a city gardener and have to do it on your back porch, we’ve got something for you too.”

Antique roses are unique from modern varieties of roses because, according to Moomaw, they are more artistic, wild and self-sufficient. 

“Antique roses in my opinion are a whole lot more self-sufficient than the new varieties. They can survive without us, whereas … some of the newer things just need a whole lot more work,” Moomaw said. “If I don’t prune these, they won’t suffer any. … They’re a species. They’re wild. They’ve been around forever.”

Because of their resilience, the roses at Old City Cemetery survived the heavy rains of summer 2018, despite an irrigation problem in the garden. While Moomaw understands the character of these flowers, she shared her thoughts on her work as a rosarian. 

“There’s always something to learn,” Moomaw said. “I feel like we’ve got a relationship going, myself and these roses, but I don’t in any way feel like I’ve mastered them.”

Moomaw is not alone in her care for the antique roses and variety of other horticulture in the cemetery. Old City Cemetery also employs Grounds and Visitor Service Manager Margi Vaughn, receives grounds keeping help from the city and welcomes more than 100 volunteers. 

While antique roses may not interest everyone who comes to the cemetery, Moomaw emphasized the appeal of Old City Cemetery. 

“I’m trying to get people to use the slogan, ‘We’re Lynchburg’s Central Park,’ because it’s a great place to come and have a picnic. You can find so many private spots that have beautiful views of the city,” Moomaw said. “… It’s just a really happy, well-used, well-loved place, and we’re rich in history, but we still can satisfy modern families with what they want to do.”