of Washington County, Arkansas
| "Let the women of the South organize memorial associations, for it is the women who must see that those who gave their lives for the greatest cause the world has ever known, must live forever in the hearts of the Southern people." Following in this spirit, about 40 Fayetteville ladies met on Monday June 10, 1872, at the Methodist Church South, to begin the task of securing a piece of land which would be the permanent resting place for Confederate dead. Just one year later on Tuesday June 10, 1873, the ladies dedicated the Confederate Cemetery and the first graves were decorated. The largest crowd ever assembled in the county, since the burial of Col. Archibald Yell, gathered that day to attend the first annual Southern Memorial Day ceremony. The 139th annual Southern Memorial Day will be held on Saturday June 2, 2012, at 10 am at the Confederate Cemetery.
The Southern Memorial Association was founded on June 10, 1872, and the year 2012 will mark the 140th anniversary of the founding of the association which began Fayetteville's historic Confederate Cemetery. This anniverary will also be celebrated at the cemetery during the memorial ceremonies. A history book about the Southern Memorial Association is being written by the officers of the SMA with plans for its presentation at the 140th anniversary. The history will cover the years 1872 to 2012. The Southern Memorial Association is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization which depends on donations for maintenance and preservation of the Confederate Cemetery and the Walker Cemetery. All donations made to the SMA for the care of these cemeteries are tax deductible. | ||||
Our Confederate Cemetery in Fayetteville, Arkansas, is Listed on the:
