Richmond's 5,000-Strong Hiking Group Restores Historic Graves
A solo walker turned his local walks into a massive volunteer force that has restored 70% of the stones in Shockoe Hill Cemetery.
By Vanessa Lopez ·
Dennis Bussey has turned a solitary pastime into a massive civic force in Virginia. The group he founded, James River Hikers, now counts 5,000 members who combine outdoor recreation with historical preservation. The organization focuses heavily on maintaining the graves of prominent local figures.
Bussey lived in Lexington, Virginia, when he started walking along the James River alone. After a year and a half of solitary hikes, he decided to find a companion. He searched online and held a first gathering 14 years ago. That initial meetup drew only seven people. The group has grown rapidly since then.
The hikers operate under the motto 'hiking with history.' Their activities include group walks, social events, and volunteer work. One of their most visible projects is cleaning the headstones at Shockoe Hill Cemetery in Richmond. The site is the burial ground for several key figures in American history.
Those interred there include James Marshall, the nation's fourth chief justice. Elizabeth Van Lew, a Civil War Union spy and abolitionist, also rests there. Dr. William Foushee, the first mayor of Richmond, is buried on the grounds. When the volunteers first began their work with the city's permission, many stones were illegible.
Bussey noted that Foushee was buried 201 years ago. The headstone was completely black with age. The group has since scrubbed 70% of all the stones in the cemetery. This marks the 65th time the volunteers have gathered for this specific task. They meet at the location twice a month to perform the labor.
The physical work requires consistent funding. The group relies on donations and grants to buy the necessary supplies. Without this financial support, the restoration project could not continue. Bussey describes the effort as a way to honor the deceased while benefiting the living community.
The volunteers work together to ensure the preservation is done correctly. The group views the task as a mutual benefit for the city and the members. The next steps involve continuing the monthly schedule of cleaning and hiking events. The group will maintain its current operational structure.
