By Michael Butler

Some of our greatest history is in cemeteries. Some very significant historical markers lie at Tuskegee Cemetery on the Tuskegee University campus.

The National Park Service lists the site on its National Historic Marker database. It includes the headstones of George Washington Carver and Booker T. Washington, significant figures well beyond Central Alabama.

W&W Monument Company, a business based in Eclectic, took part in the restoration of the cemetery. Owner Brandon Wright spoke about the project.

“Everything was leaning. We had a lot that were literally in the ground that we had to dig up, redo and get leveled up,” he said. “It looks amazing now. The marble is so porous that it absorbs all the dirt over the years. When you clean them, they look brand new. It’s beautiful now.”

Washington served as the head of Tuskegee Institute and became good friends with Carver while he was head of the Agriculture Department. Washington died in 1915. Carver passed away in 1943.

“It’s cool being able to work on things like that,” Wright added.

Cody Moore, who has been working with Wright on the restoration, explained that the cemetery is a tourist attraction.

“It’s amazing,” Moore said. “While we were there working, you’d see so many people come by and visit. It’s non-stop all day long.”

W&W Monument Company has been in business since 1994. Wright works with his father, who followed in his father’s footsteps in opening the business.

“My grandfather started in 1959. One of the reasons we’re in this business is being able to help a person make that last special thing for that family member. That’s going to be there forever. It makes it special for us too.”