The cemetery is located on the Bess property. George Bess and his wife Dorothy have both passed. The house is now owned by their son Todd who has turned it into a Airbnb. The narrow road that was used to drive up the Bess driveway up to the cemetery is partially blocked by a hedge and it is now necessary to park at the side of the driveway and walk up to the cemetery.



As a word of caution, if you visit the cemetery I advise applying bug repellent such as Off when you get out of the car. There are chigers in the grass that will make you miserable unless you use a bug repellent to discourage them.

This web site was first published in August 2019 for the purpose of spreading information about the Philips Sylvan Hall Cemetery's need for contributions and support to assure the maintenance of the cemetery for the next 200 years.


The Metro Historical Commission Foundation of Davidson County initiated a cemetery maintenance program in 2019 to manage the maintenance of historic cemeteries that had been restored and needed a tax-free organization to accept donations which they would also manage. The Philips Sylvan Hall Cemetery signed up for the program and collected donations beginning at the inception of the program.

While the donations were tax free to the Foundation, there was no interest paid on the money held by the foundation.

Thanks to all the Friends of Philips Sylvan Hall Cemetery for your donations in support of the ongoing maintenance of the cemetery.

The Metro Historical Commission Foundation decided to terminate the cemetery maintenance program late in 2022 as being beyond the capability of their organization. As a result, I have been managing the maintenance fund and directing the maintenance and will continue doing so going forward.

We moved from Hendersonville near the cemetery in the spring of 2024 amd we are fortunate to have a very reliable lawn service taking care of the cemetery. We are on a schedule that requires few visits during the year while keeping the cemetery in very presentable condition.

I expect us to be able to collect interest on money in the fund. On May 5 2023 I deposited $7,000 with an online bank, insured by FDIC, that earned $233.68 the first 12 months. I have since moved the funds to Charles Schwab to be able to invest in money market funds which are easier to manage.

Now at 89 years of age I continue to need your help to keep the cemetery from falling back into the shape it was in in 2013.

It only takes about three years for the cemetery to return to the way it was in 2013 before the restoration. None of us want that to see that happen.