“The work of the Friends of Historic Westview Cemetery makes it possible for generations to observe, learn, and be changed by the cemetery's beauty and cultural significance.”
—SHEFFIELD HALE
President and Chief Executive Officer of Atlanta History CenterReintroducing the public to a beautiful, historic community space in a respectful and honorable way.
In 2015, Westview Cemetery became a participant in the Phoenix Flies program of tours organized by the Atlanta Preservation Center (APC), and then with the APC established regular tours of the grounds of Westview to showcase and educate the public in the history and culture of the cemetery.
This led to discussions with APC, the Atlanta History Center, and Westview of how to make the wonderful history and culture contained within the cemetery available to the public in an organized and authentic manner while preserving some of the ancient parts of the cemetery.
Subsequently, Westview and APC entered into a formal agreement establishing Friends of Historic Westview Cemetery, a 501 c3 organization with eyes on the first project of restoring the mothballed 1890 Gatehouse and using it as a launching pad for tours and education of the wonderful history and culture stored at Westview Cemetery.
INITIATIVE 1
The Gatehouse
Preserve Atlanta has commissioned Landmark Preservation LLC (Landmark) to conduct a conditions assessment of the Gatehouse located at Westview Cemetery. The purpose of this assessment is to identify building deficiencies and to make recommendations for future treatment. This assessment does not focus on restoration to a specific period but instead recommends treatment to attest deterioration, ensure life safety, stabilize the structure and allow accessibility.
Our immediate attention turns to the restoration of the north wing interior which will include a welcome center and unisex restrooms as well as partial restoration of the exterior. This phase will provide usable spaces to engage the public, and visitors to the cemetery, and provide visible restoration progress to the passerby to be completed by Fall 2021.
The next two phases include restoration of the remainder of the exterior; restoration of interior of the tower, south and west wings to include storage, exhibit space, unisex restrooms, and a community room to be completed by Spring 2023.
Will you join us in preserving this piece of history?
“Through the preservation efforts of Friends and APC, opening the 1890 Gatehouse as a whistlestop on the Beltline will make the history and culture of the Atlanta area contained within Westview available to the public in an organized presentation. And this is only the beginning of what Friends can bring to the public for a great experience of history and culture.”
CHARLES BOWEN
Director of Westview Cemetery and
Third Generation Caretaker
INITIATIVE 2
Chapel Stained-Glass Windows
The 38 panels depicting the life of Christ were made by the LA ART Glass Company in 1943. Windows of this age (80-100 years) typically are in need of major restorative efforts to re-lead and support the beautiful glass art. Adopting one of these windows provides a naming opportunity by individuals wanting to preserve such a glorious piece of art.
Will you join us in preserving this piece of history?
“The ability to use the past to find a way forward is enhanced when established groups focus on a common goal. What the Friends of Historic Westview Cemetery and the Atlanta Preservation Center are initiating is the process to use preservation as communication.”
–DAVID Y. MITCHELL
INITIATIVE 3
Restrooms in the Abbey
The construction of the massive Westview Abbey occurred during the Second World War. As such, it has been determined that many of the utility supply lines providing water to Abbey were made of scrap metal as most raw materials were dedicated to the war effort. This led to a complete loss of integrity in the water supply to the Abbey and restrooms included. A rebuild of the water supply and the restrooms will make this beautiful structure more available for the public to experience during the great tours organized by the APC. This effort will also include the restoration of water to the beautiful lawn fountain.
Will you join us in preserving this piece of history?
"The Friends of Historic Westview Cemetery collaborating with the Atlanta Preservation Center to create a space to promote preservation through the activation of the historic gatehouse exemplifies a phenomenal opportunity for Atlanta."
DAVID Y. MITCHELL
Executive Director of the Atlanta Preservation Center
