Section and lot must accompany photo requests in this massive and active city-owned cemetery; There is a staffed on-site records office to assist. The first burials were in 1855. In 1861, Richmond was named the capital of the new Confederate States of America. After the Civil War broke out, the city's hospitals and clinics received a large number of critically wounded soldiers. The Committee on Burying Grounds agreed to provide interment for soldiers who died in Richmond or Henrico County, and in July 1862 offered to have Oakwood Cemetery opened for large scale burial of Confederate soldiers, and set aside a separate section of the grounds for this purpose. Oakwood Cemetery was the final resting place of soldiers who died in treatment at Chimborazo Hospital, a massive facility on Church Hill, along with casualties from several battles fought in the Richmond area. By the end of the war, the Confederate section of the cemetery covered about 7.5 acres and contained around 17,000 burials. Oakwood Cemetery today covers about 199 acres of ground, and continues to be maintained by the City of Richmond and various charitable trusts.

Section and lot must accompany photo requests in this massive and active city-owned cemetery; There is a staffed on-site records office to assist. The first burials were in 1855. In 1861, Richmond was named the capital of the new Confederate States of America. After the Civil War broke out, the city's hospitals and clinics received a large number of critically wounded soldiers. The Committee on Burying Grounds agreed to provide interment for soldiers who died in Richmond or Henrico County, and in July 1862 offered to have Oakwood Cemetery opened for large scale burial of Confederate soldiers, and set aside a separate section of the grounds for this purpose. Oakwood Cemetery was the final resting place of soldiers who died in treatment at Chimborazo Hospital, a massive facility on Church Hill, along with casualties from several battles fought in the Richmond area. By the end of the war, the Confederate section of the cemetery covered about 7.5 acres and contained around 17,000 burials. Oakwood Cemetery today covers about 199 acres of ground, and continues to be maintained by the City of Richmond and various charitable trusts.