Westview Cemetery

11/05/2025

Oaks, Sycamores, Dogwoods and More: Trees Atlanta Digs in at Westview

This past weekend, today, and before winter arrives, volunteers for Trees Atlanta - composed of individuals from the Emory Equestrian Team, Georgia Tech Civic Engagement, Georgia Tech's Association of Pulp and Paper Industries, and Trees Atlanta's Workforce Development team and Greening Youth cohort - came out to Westview and planted more than 50 trees.

Those trees included dogwoods, sycamores, different types of oaks, white fringe trees, tulip poplars, magnolias, pond cypresses, and elms; they were planted across the lawn of our administrative building, in the field along Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard toward Rest Haven, in front of Westview Abbey, in Sections 38 and 41-Z, and numerous other places.

Buffeting the winds out of Alabama on the western side of Atlanta, hence our name - Westview - we appreciate being able to replace felled trees, which occurs at the cemetery more than one might imagine. Therefore, a big thank-you to all of those who came out and volunteered their time, talents, and resources to help us keep Westview beautiful. In particular, a huge debt of gratitude is directed towards Trees Atlanta, who we have worked with for more than a decade.

We are already an Audubon bird sanctuary; maybe we ought to become a certified arboretum as well!

Come take a look, and let us know what you think!

(Photos courtesy of Chase Bowen.)

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10/31/2025

Lectures at Halloween or Any Other Time

Did you know Westview will come to you?

No, no, not in terms of selling graves or making funeral plans (those are best handled on site)! :-)

But our Director of Administration will come to your church group, senior group, school group, civic group, neighborhood association group, etc., to discuss the fascinating history (all 141 years' worth) of Westview and of some of the people buried here.

To schedule such a visit, reach out to: jclemmons@westviewcemetery.com.

This morning, we spoke to the "Prime Timers" group at Trinity Presbyterian Church at Howell Mill and Moore's Mill in Buckhead. What a great group. And half hadn't heard of us!

We are here, active, thriving, and growing!

Happy Halloween!

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10/27/2025

Lucille Frank Book Talk a Success

A thank-you goes out to author Ann Hite for talking about her new book ("I'm a Georgia Girl") and to author Robert Gwaltney for interviewing her about it this past Saturday at Westview Abbey.

A thank-you is also in order for Westview employees Jeff Clemmons and Chase Bowen, and volunteer Blair Bonds for hosting, setting up, and assisting with the event. A shoutout, too, to Annell Gerson of Bookmiser for selling copies of each authors' books.

To mark the occasion, we thought we'd share a few pictures from the book talk (some borrowed from attendee Ana Raquel).

The map and yellow signs were used to show participants where some of those mentioned in the book are buried at Westview.

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10/24/2025

Don't miss out on this incredible discussion about Lucille Frank, Leo Frank, Mary Phagan, the infamous trail, lynching, and other players.

Register today for what tomorrow will be a fantastic event: jclemmons@westviewcemetery.com.

Book Event at Westview Abbey This Coming Saturday!

Please join us on Saturday, October 25, at 2 p.m. to hear author Robert Gwaltney interview author Ann Hite about her new biography, "I'm a Georgia Girl: The Life of Lucille Selig Frank, 1888-1957," Mercer University Press, 2025.

After the interview, light refreshments will be given as well as a map to visit some of the graves of those involved in the infamous Leo Frank/Mary Phagan story (the murder, tabloid trial, 'guilty' verdict, and lynching, which led to a rise in antisemitism, a rebirth of the Klan, and the birth of the Anti-Defamation League), such as those of Hugh Dorsey, Luther Rosser, the Montags, and Lucille's sister Sarah Selig Marcus.

Register today at: jclemmons@westviewcemetery.com.

From Amazon:

"Twenty-five-year-old Lucille Selig Frank's whole life changed on April 26, 1913, as the Confederate Memorial Parade marched through Atlanta, Georgia. Lucille was attending the opera matinee with her mother. Her husband, Leo Frank, sat in his office in the National Pencil Company, where he was superintendent, working on a financial report. The brutal murder of fourteen-year-old Mary Phagan, an employee of Leo's, took place in the pencil factory that day. Lucille's husband would be the last known person to see Mary alive. While much has been written about Mary Phagan's murder and Leo Frank's subsequent trial over the past 115 years, very little has given voice to Lucille Selig Frank and other women connected to the horrific events that took place between 1913-1915. Lucille was part of a mission to make Governor John Slaton aware of the antisemitism being shown to Leo during his arrest and trial. She paid a heavy price for her courage."

10/20/2025

Book Event at Westview Abbey This Coming Saturday!

Please join us on Saturday, October 25, at 2 p.m. to hear author Robert Gwaltney interview author Ann Hite about her new biography, "I'm a Georgia Girl: The Life of Lucille Selig Frank, 1888-1957," Mercer University Press, 2025.

After the interview, light refreshments will be given as well as a map to visit some of the graves of those involved in the infamous Leo Frank/Mary Phagan story (the murder, tabloid trial, 'guilty' verdict, and lynching, which led to a rise in antisemitism, a rebirth of the Klan, and the birth of the Anti-Defamation League), such as those of Hugh Dorsey, Luther Rosser, the Montags, and Lucille's sister Sarah Selig Marcus.

Register today at: jclemmons@westviewcemetery.com.

From Amazon:

"Twenty-five-year-old Lucille Selig Frank's whole life changed on April 26, 1913, as the Confederate Memorial Parade marched through Atlanta, Georgia. Lucille was attending the opera matinee with her mother. Her husband, Leo Frank, sat in his office in the National Pencil Company, where he was superintendent, working on a financial report. The brutal murder of fourteen-year-old Mary Phagan, an employee of Leo's, took place in the pencil factory that day. Lucille's husband would be the last known person to see Mary alive. While much has been written about Mary Phagan's murder and Leo Frank's subsequent trial over the past 115 years, very little has given voice to Lucille Selig Frank and other women connected to the horrific events that took place between 1913-1915. Lucille was part of a mission to make Governor John Slaton aware of the antisemitism being shown to Leo during his arrest and trial. She paid a heavy price for her courage."

10/14/2025

'Party with the Past' Made the News

If you've been following this page, you know last week we hosted - along with the Atlanta History Center - Party with the Past at our abbey/mausoleum.

https://www.cbsnews.com/atlanta/news/atlanta-history-center-party-with-thepast-westview-cemetery/

Despite the rain, we had more than 300 people show up to enjoy the festivities, do tours, and witness the beauty of Westview firsthand.

A thank-you goes out to Westview President Charles Bowen; Chase Bowen, manager; Jeff Clemmons, director of administration; and Brian Williams and Robert Parks, family associates - along with Barry Green, John Schmidt and the Atlanta History Center - for hosting/assisting in the event.

If you haven't been to Westview, visit, take a tour, buy a plot!

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(To view story, click the link above, not the picture; we are not sure why FB is linking the below to "comments.")

10/13/2025

Upcoming Lucille Selig Frank (Leo Frank's wife) Book Event at Westview Abbey

Please join us October 25 at 2 p.m. to hear award-winning author Robert Gwaltney interview award-winning author Ann Hite about her new biography, "I'm a Georgia Girl: The Life of Lucille Selig Frank, 1888-1957," Mercer University Press, 2025.

After the interview, light refreshments will be given as well as a map to visit some of the graves of those involved in the infamous Leo Frank/Mary Phagan story (the murder, tabloid trial, 'guilty' verdict, and lynching, which led to a rise in antisemitism, a rebirth of the Klan, and the birth of the Anti-Defamation League), such as those of Hugh Dorsey, Luther Rosser, the Montags, and Lucille's sister Sarah Selig Marcus.

Register today at: jclemmons@westviewcemetery.com.

From Amazon:

"Twenty-five-year-old Lucille Selig Frank's whole life changed on April 26, 1913, as the Confederate Memorial Parade marched through Atlanta, Georgia. Lucille was attending the opera matinee with her mother. Her husband, Leo Frank, sat in his office in the National Pencil Company, where he was superintendent, working on a financial report. The brutal murder of fourteen-year-old Mary Phagan, an employee of Leo's, took place in the pencil factory that day. Lucille's husband would be the last known person to see Mary alive. While much has been written about Mary Phagan's murder and Leo Frank's subsequent trial over the past 115 years, very little has given voice to Lucille Selig Frank and other women connected to the horrific events that took place between 1913-1915. Lucille was part of a mission to make Governor John Slaton aware of the antisemitism being shown to Leo during his arrest and trial. She paid a heavy price for her courage."

10/10/2025

TOUR THIS SUNDAY

Despite the rain, last night's Party with the Past (with the Atlanta History Center and Westview presenting at Westview Abbey) was a great success with a number hovering around 350 people. Pictures to come.

But if you didn't get enough on Westview last night, or you want to learn more, or you have never been here, join the tour this coming Sunday and learn about what makes Westview so great - not just its size (nearly 600 acres), but its people, history, art, and culture.

Sign up today, space is limited.

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Come learn about the lives of many important Atlantans while enjoying beautiful sculptures and historic structures

10/08/2025

We are one day out from Party With the Past, and we couldn't be more excited! Read the below (the link) for details, some history, and whatnot.

If you are attending the event, think about ridesharing, MARTA, and so forth. A large crowd is anticipated.

Also, be advised that the entrance to the event is at our MLK gate (2021 MLK Dr.) NOT the main gate off of Abernathy Blvd.

Once inside the cemetery, follow the parking signs and staff instructions and park ONLY on the right side of the roads, not in the grass on graves.

There will be brief tours of the abbey at 6:45, 8, and 9 from the Florence Candler Chapel; a history chat at 7:45, outside; and a costume contest at 8:45 (applause meter). Food and beverages for sale.

If questions, please feel free to call us tomorrow before the event.

On Thursday, October 9, from 6:30-9:30 pm join us at Westview Abbey Mausoleum and Chapel for a bone-chillingly fun evening in the Southeast’s largest cemetery!   While Westview Cemetery is not […]

09/26/2025

Westview is thrilled to be mentioned in this month's GEMC's Georgia Magazine.

Longtime Westview supporter and volunteer, and Adventures in Cemetery Hopping blogger Traci Ryland was highlighted in the piece, which mentions a few of the many people buried at Westview.

Take a look! And thank you, Traci!

One correction: The "Death by Chocolate" epitaph mentioned in paragraph five is in a Lawrenceville, Ga. cemetery, not at Westview.

; Preservation Center; ; ; ;

09/17/2025

Changes Coming This Fall: Westview Cemetery Expands and Restores

It is with great excitement that we announce two major events happening at Westview this month and throughout the fall - expansion of the mezzanine level at Westview Abbey and the restoration of the Florence Candler Chapel's stained-glass windows.

This month, we started construction on 348 new crypts and 180 new niches within Westview Abbey's third floor (the "Mezzanine"). McCleskey Construction, who finished out our Northwest Wing in 2020, is in charge of the project. While the crypts were actually "constructed" in the 1940s, they were never finished with marble; the floors in front of them were never completed, and the ceiling and stained-glass windows were never installed. But that's changing!

Marble has been selected and ordered. Flooring - which will include new terrazzo - is being installed at this moment. And stained-glass windows have been designed and ordered from Radiant Arts, Inc. (Jim Foltz) in Ohio.

See the attached photos for renderings and come out and visit today; pre-construction pricing is now being offered. Buy today and plan for the future!

Also, Radiant Arts - funding provided by Friends of Historic Westview Cemetery - will be removing four stained-glass windows, specifically the three large ones containing 27 panels of Christ's birth through resurrection - from the Florence Candler Chapel within Westview Abbey. Installed by 1949, the Los Angeles Art Glass windows' leading has degraded over time, so the windows are being taken down, shipped to Ohio for restoration, and then will be shipped back to us and reinstalled. In their absence, photographic-film reproductions will be displayed until the originals are returned.

If you'd like to donate money for a window restoration in remembrance of a family member, reach out to the cemetery for details; arrangements for a brass "in memoriam' plaque can be made. And, as we are also trying to raise donations for the restoration of our 1890 gatehouse, please visit our Friends of Historic Westview Cemetery website for more. Restoration on the belltower was recently finished using original 1890-1935 slate roofing materials.

To see the progress on the above in person, visit us along with the Atlanta History Center for the upcoming Party with the Past on October 9.

Help us preserve Westview and make it your family's forever home.

Reserve a ticket for Party with the Past: https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/event/party-with-the-past-westview-cemetery/

Friends of Historic Westview Cemetery: https://friendsofwestview.com/

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