The Oakwood Cemetery, home to the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) plot, will once again welcome visitors and pay homage to its rich history. Set to unveil its restored grounds, the cemetery’s special plot reopens on May 14, as announced by the City of Austin. The TSBVI plot, shaped in the 1880s and home to individuals linked with the school, has just undergone a transformative restoration project. The collaboration between TSBVI, the Parks and Recreation Department, and Save Austin’s Cemeteries culminated in a concerted effort to revive a piece of Texas history. "TSBVI has enjoyed collaborating with the City of Austin on renovating our historical lot at the Oakwood Cemetery and we look forward to celebrating the city's work on May 14th," said Emily Coleman, TSBVI Superintendent, in a statement obtained by the City of Austin.
The effort to restore the TSBVI plot commenced back in fall 2023 when school officials were alerted to the plot’s deteriorating condition. Prompt action was taken, with school leaders providing financial support for the restoration and the Cemetery Division committing to manage the proceedings. Activities undertaken included disassembling, cleaning, and creating new cement bases for the burial tablets. This venture not only restored the gravestones but also offered a hands-on educational opportunity as TSBVI students were involved in cleaning the plot's ground.
Restoration procedures were comprehensive: a total of 18 burial tablets and their respective bases were meticulously stored and cleaned; seven broken tablets received the care needed for reattachment; and new cement bases were fabricated for 13 out of the 18 tablets. Each tablet was then carefully reset to stand as a testament to the people they commemorate. The celebration, open to all, is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the Oakwood Cemetery Chapel, located at 1601 Navasota St.
The TSBVI is a bedrock educational institution, serving an average of 11,000 students who are blind, visually impaired, or deafblind across Texas. They offer specialized public schooling, consultations, online courses, and in-person training aimed at transforming education outcomes for the visually impaired. Save Austin’s Cemeteries, a non-profit concerned with the preservation of historic cemeteries, played a crucial role in the restoration. Their commitment encompasses not just renovation, but also documentation, preservation, and education, promoting cemeteries as important cultural resources. Contact information for anyone interested in pursuing the restoration of their family lots within Austin's historical cemeteries can be found on the City of Austin’s website.
As the gates open to the public, the project stands as a poignant convergence of past and present, honoring the memory of those long gone, while fostering a teacher for current and future generations to appreciate and care for our communal heritage. The fruits of this joint labor speak to the broader mission of the Parks and Recreation Department ,which, over the past two years, has collaborated with more than 350 families in Austin to restore and preserve historical lots, ensuring the threads of history remain woven tightly into the fabric of the community.
