Through diligent research and transcription from historical records, volunteers of Save Austin’s Cemeteries and the Austin Genealogical Society created a database of information about Oakwood residents.
This information is used to create digital maps of Oakwood Cemetery that include audio, photo, video, historical links, namesake maps, and nativity maps. We expect this scholarship will continue for a very long time with the help of staff and volunteers.
Story Maps - Geolocated History
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All Together Here
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All Together Here is an exhibit to interpret the archaeology project at the Oakwood Cemetery Chapel. During the rehabilitation of the Chapel in 2016, there was a painful discovery: the Chapel had been constructed over preexistent burials.
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To Vote
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To Vote recognizes Austin's suffragists in 2020 during the 100th Anniversary, the 55th, and 45th Anniversary of all women gaining the right to vote in America. Many people who worked hard for that right are buried in Austin’s municipal cemeteries.
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Texas Independence Tour
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Save Austin's Cemeteries gravesite tour of people who contributed to the fight for the independence for Texas from Mexico in 1835-1836. The Republic of Texas was an independent country from 1836 - 1845, before it became part of the United States.
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To Hear
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To Hear appreciates Austin’s musicians, including the Besserer Orchestra, the Gant Family, Ernest "Ernie" Mae Crafton Miller and Gene Ramey. They played in music halls such as Scholz Garten, Pressler Beer Garden, and the New Orleans Club. John and Alan Lomax were known for traveling the world to record folk music as musicologists.
Additional To Hear links:
Gant Family Songs from the Library of Congress (Box link to files)
Ghost Notes: Michael Corcoran's new book, signed by the author and the illustrator Tim Kerr, is now available to order for direct shipping.
Ghost Notes: Michael Corcoran Spotify Playlist (a few songs have explicit content, so if you don't want to hear those songs on the playlist, change your settings in Spotify)
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To Elevate
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This research examines the legacy of African Americans in Austin through achievements in education, culture and business. These leaders raise each other up through commitment to their community and its future, through Huston-Tillotson University.
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Caminar
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This exhibition remembers Tejanos and Mexican Americans buried in Oakwood Cemetery, and honors their legacy in Austin, inspired by Danny Camacho's research.
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To Write: Barton Creek by Ed Crowell
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For an author talk by Ed Crowell on the book Barton Creek, this digital story map shows burials in Oakwood of individuals mentioned in the book whose lives affected Barton Creek.
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To Write: Cedar Choppers by Ken Roberts
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For an author talk by Ken Roberts on the book The Cedar Choppers, this story shows burials in Oakwood of a community whose culture depended on chopping cedar along creeks in West Austin.
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Murder, Mayhem and Misadventure 2019
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Save Austin's Cemeteries 13th annual gravesite tour on Saturday, October 26, 2019: free tours cover the chilling, untimely deaths of “residents” of Oakwood Cemetery portrayed by graveside actors. Tour route and stories vary each year.
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To Believe
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Featuring video, photography, digital maps and performances, we explore Black East Austin's historic and contemporary practices of faith and belief, as inspired by Reverend Jacob Fontaine.
To Believe, video exploring faith in East Austin churches by Amaz1n Entertainment, supported by iACT, Heimsath Architecture, Preservation Austin, the Austin Foundation for Architecture, Big Medium and Sightlines Magazine
Esri Story Maps help us digitally tag gravesites with the history of the person buried there, including maps that demonstrate the legacy and consequence of people's lives in Austin, and all over the world.
Educational Programs
Oakwood stories create engaging past, present and future learning tools for students of all ages. We work with educators to create learning programs that expand on human knowledge and the possibilities of imagination.
We host group tours for classes and camps, collaborate on content and resources, and help students and Eagle Scouts complete projects. Contact us to reserve a time that works for your group.