The Victorian aesthetic of the cemetery as a public park was falling out of fashion by the time Evergreen Cemetery was established, but Fitzgerald embraced the ideal, planting trees and shrubs to enhance the landscape. Part of the park concept often included pavilions for public remembrances. Such remembrances were commonplace in the years just after World War I, when this Craftsman-inspired structure was built. At the time, Evergreen was a much smaller cemetery than it is today, and funeral services were sometimes held here, as well.

I inherited this photograph of the newly built pavilion from the daughter of the man standing beside it. They were distant cousins of mine. Needham John Trammell (1863-1938) was the sexton of Evergreen Cemetery during the 1910s and 1920s and he was charged with its upkeep and the recording of burials. I believe the photograph was made in 1924 (it’s one of several), but will have to locate more paperwork to confirm a specific date. I’ll update when I do.

I also have several volumes of his sexton’s monthly reports, covering most of the 1920s. This page indicates there were only two burials in April 1922.

As the preceding vintage photograph illustrates, the pavilion didn’t have the louvered sides when built. They were added for shade, no doubt.

The pavilion continues to be well-maintained and has become a symbol of Evergreen Cemetery over the years.