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BASTROP – The Oak Hill Cemetery Association gathered for their annual picnic at the burial site’s arbor on May 27, hosting a potluck lunch and silent auction.
Locals connected over home-cooked food and personal goods with the hopes of raising money for their community’s historic cemetery. The plot may be small, but it holds a long line of veterans, family members and tradition, attendees said.
“Generations have been coming to this event, it’s smaller but always enjoyable,” said Mickey Summers.
While the exact year of the original picnic isn’t clear, the event dates back close to 90 years. According to the associations vice president Peggy Adams, the picnic was once a premier event of the county – it was an active little community, hosting political speeches and locally sanctioned baseball tournaments.
Oak Hill was included in Camp Swift during World War II, a combat training zone. The area became host to many veterans, generations of which have since been honored on the grounds. The cemetery sports American flags and hand-crafted monuments dedicated to those who have fallen in service, with several “unknown” and simple “male” tombstones included.
The annual gathering has since turned into more of a homecoming for families and descendants of the Oak Hill community. Those with and without interred loved ones can come together in appreciation of tradition and in hopes of improving the cemetery, expressed association members.
“It’s gotten smaller, but it’s still hanging on. This is sort of our little celebration,” said resident Mark Breckenridge.
The association is not afraid to make necessary changes, as well. The removal of its decades old fence that once separated the cemetery by race is an important change to note, mentioned Breckenridge.
Items up for auction included vintage dolls, original paintings, dishware, lotion sets, a telescope, honey, saplings and a large fencing corner post.
The event concluded with a meeting to discuss allocation of funds and maintenance plans, while the children drank lemonade and ate sausages.
With the majority present having a long line of immediate or married into connections to the cemetery, upholding the tradition for years to come will be an important but enjoyable practice, picnic goers said.
