Society's 2022 Annual Holiday Gift-Wrapping Fundraiser a Huge Success
The Society's 2022 Annual Holiday Gift-Wrapping Fundraiser was a huge success! Society members, friends, and partners tirelessly wrapped gifts from December 16th-24th, 2022, from open to close each day, at Governor's Square Mall.
We would like to thank all the volunteers who generously offered their time and talents in wrapping gifts, and we also would like to thank all the individuals who donated money to our organization during the fundraiser.
The Society is excited and eager to continue carrying out our mission in 2023!
Society Holds Wreaths Across America Ceremony on 17 Dec 2022
On 17 Dec. 2022 at 1100hrs, the Society hosted a Wreaths Across America Day ceremony, sponsored by The Wounded Warrior Project, to honor and remember the 32 Veterans interred at Mt Olive Cemetery, and to teach others about their sacrifices and the value of freedom.
Thirty-one wreaths were placed at the cemetery, and the 32nd wreath was placed at the United States Colored Troops monument at Fort Defiance.
A variety of civic and fraternal groups and individuals took part in the event, with some including AARP, Women Veterans of America Chapter 47, The Wounded Warrior Project, and others.
Thank you for your service to our mission and this special day.
Society Receives a $1,500 Discretionary Grant from the Grateful Daniel Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
The Society is pleased to announce that we were awarded a $1,500 Discretionary Grant from the Grateful Daniel Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee in November of 2022.
This grant will help fund our Trail Signs Project, which will place signposts and trail signs throughout the cemetery to help with navigation, while honoring specific Veterans groups and individuals interred at the cemetery.
Society 2022 Highlights
Here are the Society's highlights for 2022! Thank you to all those who offered their time, talents, and/or treasures to further our mission. You are appreciated!
Society Receives a $2,500 Altra Community Assistance Award
On Tuesday, December 13th, 2022, the Society was one of 10 organizations awarded a $2,500 Community Assistance Award through Altra Federal Credit Union's Best Life Community Awards program. This money will be used to purchase memorial grave markers for many of those interred at Mt Olive Cemetery with no known headstone.
Thank you Altra for your generosity!
Society & Friends Present USCT Event At The Customs House
On Saturday, December 17th, beginning at 1100hrs, the Mt Olive Cemetery Historical Preservation Society will hold its Wreaths Across America ceremony at Mt Olive Cemetery to remember and honor the 32 veterans interred and teach about their lives' contributions and sacrifices. This event is sponsored by The Wounded Warrior Project. Please see the attached flyer for details and join us!
Annual Gift-Wrapping Fundraiser Invitation
In need of gift-wrapping services this holiday season? Please visit the Mt Olive Cemetery Historical Preservation Society at Governor's Square Mall (across from Old Navy) from December 16th through the 24th (open to close). Details are included on the flyer below. Thanks!
Veterans Day Ceremony: November 11, 2022
On November 11, 2022, at 0900hrs CST, the Society held a Veterans Day Ceremony to honor and remember the 32 Veterans who lay in eternal rest at Mt Olive Cemetery. We thank them and all Veterans today and everyday!
Delivering speeches during the ceremony were Austin Peay State University's Military Advisor in Residence, Retired Major General Walt Lord, and the President of the Women's Veterans of America Chapter 47, Monica Meeks. We thank them for their military service and their commitment and passion for continuing the remembrance of the Veterans interred at Mt Olive.
November 2022 Photographs
Please take some time to enjoy and reflect upon some photographs of Mt Olive Cemetery from November of 2022, captured by Maegan Collins, Marketing Communications Manager at the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center in Clarksville, TN.
CMCSS JROTC Program Cemetery Cleanup on Oct 2, 2022
On 2 Oct. 2022, approximately 70 cadets of the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System JROTC program and 11 adults worked to preserve and restore Mt Olive Cemetery by clearing large tree debris and raking trails.
This was one of the last major cemetery cleanup events of the fall, which have all acted to beautify the cemetery for our upcoming Veterans Day and National Wreaths Across America Day events on November 11th and December 17th, respectively.
Society President, Arthur "Nick" Nicholson, is Interviewed by Frankly Speaking with Tyra G Podcast
Recently, the Society's President, Arthur "Nick" Nicholson, had the pleasure of being interviewed on the Frankly Speaking with Tyra G podcast. The theme of the interview was "legacy," and President Nicholson spoke about a variety of experiences with leadership throughout his professional life, including his work with the Mt Olive Cemetery Historical Preservation Society and his book, "Dancing on the Razor's Edge: A Story of Leadership and Triumph."
The podcast audio can be accessed at either of the below links, and President Nicholson speaks specifically about Mt Olive Cemetery from the 10:45 - 17:00-minute mark:
- Tyra Garlington website: tyragarlington.com/category/podcasts/
- Blubrry Podcasting website: https://blubrry.com/frankly_speaking_with_tyra_g/89826549/legacy-is-about-life-and-living-featuring-col-arthur-r-nicholson-ret/
The Wounded Warrior Project: Cemetery Cleanup
On September 27, 2022, members of The Wounded Warrior Project helped with a cleanup of Mt Olive Cemetery for an entire afternoon, where they felled, limbed, and bucked trees, as well as cleared tree debris to further preserve, restore, and beautify the cemetery. We thank all of these Warriors for their service and give a special thanks to Tony Perry, who is an outreach specialist for The Wounded Warrior Project and leads and coordinates events at Mt Olive Cemetery on a regular basis.
Girl Scout Troop 845: Cemetery Cleanup and Flower Planting
On September 25, 2022, Girl Scout Troop 845, led by APSU's Dr. Heather Phillips, helped with a cleanup of Mt Olive Cemetery from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m., where they cleared tree debris and also planted mums. We thank Troop 845 for their service to further beautify and preserve Mt Olive Cemetery!
MOCHPS Attends Austin Peay State University's Military Alumni Chapter Dinner
On September 23, 2022, the MOCHPS attended Austin Peay State University's Military Alumni Chapter Dinner at the Morgan University Center. The event honored a number of individuals, with the guest of honor being CW5 (R) Gary Linfoot, a U.S. Army Veteran, who served for more than 23 years in a number of capacities, with more than 13 of those years as a member of the Army's elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), known as the Night Stalkers. Mr. Linfoot's accomplishments are vast, and he served his country with the utmost bravery, honor, and courage. Please see his biography in the photo below.
The MOCHPS thanks Joe Shakeenab for inviting us to this special event.
MOCHPS Provides Keynote Address for Leadership Middle Tennessee Class of 2023
On September 14, 2022, the MOCHPS gave a presentation to the Leadership Middle Tennessee (LMT) Class of 2023 at a reception held at F&M Bank on Franklin Street. This was the first session of the new class of leaders, and the focus was on Montgomery County's military impact in Middle Tennessee. Thank you to Major General Walt Lord (LMT Class of 2022) for inviting our organization to provide the keynote address about how the MOCHPS aims to not let those at Mt Olive Cemetery die twice.
MOCHPS Welcomes Girl Scout Troop 845 for a Tour of the Cemetery
On September 12, 2022, the MOCHPS welcomed Girl Scout Troop 845 and their troop leader, APSU Assistant Professor, Dr. Heather Phillips. We are thankful for the 7 scouts that attended the tour, which was led by the MOCHPS' historian, Phyllis Smith.
On September 25th, 2022, Troop 845 will participate in a cleanup event at the cemetery, and we thank them for their service and efforts towards preserving, restoring, remembering, and honoring the African American history at Mt Olive Cemetery.
MOCHPS Welcomes APSU Students for an Educational Tour and Headstone Cleaning
On August 31, 2022, the MOCHPS welcomed APSU students in HHP 3450: Health Issues of Special Populations, for an educational tour and headstone cleaning event. We are thankful for the 33 students who offered their time, efforts, and talents in further preserving and restoring the cemetery, while also learning about the lives of those interred and their health experiences.
As part of this event, Matt Groves, who serves with The Wounded Warrior Project and also volunteers with our organization, presented us with a very generous donation! Thank you Matt for your generosity and service.
MOCHPS Welcomes Nashville Predators Foundation Representatives
On August 26, 2022, representatives from the Nashville Predators Foundation came to Clarksville to view the Society's two newly-developed United States Colored Troops interpretive panels at Fort Defiance. Society members then led these individuals on a tour of Mt Olive Cemetery, while also unveiling the proofs of the three interpretive panels that will be installed in the cemetery later in 2022. All five panels were funded by a Helper Grant from the Nashville Predators Foundation in May of 2022.
Hutton Memorial Staff Visits Mt Olive Cemetery
On August 26, 2022, staff members of Hutton Memorial toured the cemetery with Society members. They are creating a bronze plaque to be placed by the MOCHPS' interpretive panels at Fort Defiance, to acknowledge the Helper Grant that was awarded to the Society by the Nashville Predators Foundation. Hutton Memorial is also creating a memorial headstone that will be placed at Mt Olive Cemetery to remember the African Americans interred that have not been identified and have no headstones.
Hutton Memorial staff pose for a photo with a Society member.
Unveiling Ceremony of U.S. Colored Troops Monument at Fort Defiance, June 18, 2022
The Mt. Olive Cemetery Historical Preservation Society has been on a year-long journey to obtain the support to construct a monument in Clarksville to honor, celebrate, and remember the U.S. Colored Troops (USCT), who were men of African descent, many of them formerly enslaved, who enlisted in the Union Army to fight for their freedom. This journey is now nearly complete, as the formal unveiling ceremony of the USCT monument will occur at the Fort Defiance Civil War Park & Interpretive Center on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. Please join us and the Clarksville community as we celebrate this special occasion.
Documentary Featuring Mt Olive Cemetery To Be Shown At The Customs House Museum & Cultural Center To Kick Off Juneteenth Weekend 2022 In Clarksville
Black Mosaic: Reclaiming Clarksville Stories will be shown at the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center on Thursday, June 16, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. This documentary was created by Angela Peterson, a May 2022 graduate of Austin Peay State University's Master of Arts Program in Communication Arts.
Mt Olive Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony, May 29, 2022
On May 29, 2022, at 1:30 p.m., Mt Olive Cemetery held a Memorial Day Ceremony. Attending the event were members of the Wounded Warrior Project, the Women's Veterans of American (Chapter 47), Society members, and others. Please see below for some images from the day.
Mt Olive Cemetery Featured In Documentary: "Black Mosaic: Reclaiming Clarksville Stories" (May 25 2022)
Angela Peterson, a graduate of Austin Peay State University's Master of Arts program in Communication Arts, created a documentary titled, "Black Mosaic: Reclaiming Clarksville Stories." This special work contains a wealth of information related to African American history in Clarksville, including that of Mt Olive Cemetery. Thank you, Ms. Peterson, for your efforts and time placed into this project. Please consider taking some time and watching the video below or at the following link: https://youtu.be/fNBUw9eZ01A.
USCT Monument Groundbreaking and Preparation at Fort Defiance Civil War Park and Interpretive Center (2022 May - 2022 June)
The first picture on the left is day one (May 10, 2022) of grounds preparation for the USCT monument at Fort Defiance. Nick Nicholson, President, and Mike Taliento, Director of Preservation and Restoration, observe, as workers begin preparing the space.
The above pictures provide a look at some of the tasks involved with installing the monument and preparing the site for the USCT monument unveiling ceremony. For a closer look at this overall process, please click on the Newsletter tab and enjoy the June 2022 Mt Olive Cemetery Historical Preservation Society Newsletter.
Clarksville Online News Story - From Enslaved to Soldier: The History of Fort Defiance By Tracy Jepson, May 13 2022
Tracy Jepson, a historical interpreter living in Clarksville, Tennessee, published an article on May 13, 2022, to Clarksville Online, a digital newspaper for Clarksville and Montgomery County. The article explores the history of the U.S. Colored Troops (USCT) in Clarksville, as well as their connection to Fort Defiance, which is now known as the Fort Defiance Civil War Park and Interpretive Center. Mrs. Jepson connects her story to the USCT monument unveiling ceremony taking place on June 18, 2022 at Fort Defiance, where the community will have the opportunity to honor and celebrate the USCT. Please visit the following link for the story: www.clarksvilleonline.com/2022/05/13/from-enslaved-to-soldier-the-history-of-fort-defiance/
Mt Olive Cemetery Historical Preservation Society Awarded Helper Grant from the Nashville Predators Foundation (May 9, 2022)
From left to right: Gerry Helper, Tyler Nolting, Dr. Chad Brooks, Linda St. Romain (front), Nick Nicholson, Phyllis Smith, and Gnash. The grant money will be used to purchase five wayside exhibits and six memorial benches, to honor, remember, and celebrate African American history, with a special emphasis on educating youth. Two of the wayside exhibits will be placed around the U.S. Colored Troops monument at Fort Defiance. The other three wayside exhibits will be placed in Mt Olive Cemetery, with each exhibit in the cemetery surrounded by two memorial benches.
The Society Presents Mt Olive's History for Nashville's Afro-American Genealogy & History Society (May 7 2022)
On May 7, 2022, members of the Mt Olive Cemetery Historical Preservation Society remotely presented Mt Olive's history to Nashville's Afro-American Genealogy & History Society (AAGHS). The following link is a summary of the presentation by the President of AAGHS, Taneya Koonce: aahgsnashville.org/2022/05/07/meeting-summary-saving-historic-cemeteries/
Mt Olive Cemetery's Only Known Living Descendant Visits for a Tour (May 1, 2022)
When in Clarksville for the funeral of a family member, Sylvia Stanfield, a current resident of Washington D.C., was doing genealogical research at the Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library. Knowing she had family members interred at Mt Olive Cemetery, the library put her in touch with Phyllis Smith. This led to a tour of the cemetery on May 1, 2022, with Phyllis and several other Society members present. Through her previous research and tour, Sylvia demonstrated numerous familial connections to several individuals at Mt Olive Cemetery.
Mt Olive Cemetery Historical Preservation Society Spring Spruce Up (May 1, 2022)
On May 1, 2022, members and volunteers of the Society met to plant flowers at the entry way of the cemetery. Above, you can see everyone hard at work.
Members of the Wounded Warrior Project Beautify Mt Olive Cemetery as Part of the Great American Cleanup (April 24 2022)
As part of the Great American Cleanup, members of the Wounded Warrior Project work to beautify and preserve Mt Olive Cemetery on April 24, 2022. A variety of duties were performed, such as planting flowers and mulching, cleaning headstones, spreading gravel on trails, and clearing debris.
Spring 2022 Cemetery Tours with APSU
Top two images: Phyllis Smith (Mt Olive historian), provides a tour on April 21, 2022, to Dr. Monique Freemon's undergraduate public speaking class. Dr. Freemon is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication at Austin Peay State University.
Bottom two images: On April 22, 2022, Phyllis provided another tour to Dr. Jessica Fripp, Associate Dean of the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychological Science & Counseling at Austin Peay State University.
Mt Olive Cemetery Historical Preservation Society Dedicates a USCT Display Case at APSU's Newton Military Family Resource Center (March 2022)
In March of 2022, the Mt Olive Cemetery Historical Preservation Society designed and dedicated a display case to the USCT at the Newton Military Family Resource Center (MFRC) at Austin Peay State University. Above, you can see the items that are inside of the display. The Society thanks Jasmin Linares, Director of the MFRC, and Major General Walt Lord, Military Advisor in Residence of the MFRC, for this opportunity to shine a light on the USCT at the MFRC.
