Cemeteries aren’t the first place that comes to mind for most college students when thinking about where to spend their spring break.
For roughly a dozen Western Carolina University students, Asheville’s peaceful and historic Riverside Cemetery is where they find themselves this week, in lieu of a crowded beach along the coast.
The students are a part of WCU’s Archeology and Forensic Anthropology programs, taking advantage of a unique opportunity to conduct archeological monitoring and damage assessment at the cemetery in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
The cemetery has been closed to the public since the storm due to extensive damage, including more than 50 downed trees throughout the property, according to City of Asheville officials.
While none of the historic grave sites experienced significant damage, 132 grave sites or headstones were disturbed by downed trees or other storm damage.
The WCU students will spend this week monitoring and recording damage to make recommendations for clean-up crews on whether or not debris removal will disturb the grave sites.
While the archaeological monitoring process is a major step in recovery efforts, the cemetery is still a ways away from being open to the public again, Parks and Recreation Director D. Tyrell McGirt told AVLtoday.
Riverside Cemetery sees more than 4,000 visitors annually, according to the city’s estimations. Nestled in the Montford historic district, the cemetery houses the grave sites of prominent writers like Thomas Wolfe and other famous Ashvillians. It’s also a popular place for locals to exercise, create art, and find peace in nature.
The cemetery is still holding funerals, and families with loved ones buried in the cemetery can make an appointment to visit while the area remains closed, McGirt said.
McGirt said the city will remain in close contact with the WCU students, who will wrap up their on-site work on Friday, March 14, and then make recommendations.
While no official date for debris removal is set, city officials said they hope to begin the process in April.
