Amplify Memphis Day Two: Tales of Loss and Revitalization
On the morning of our second day, students arrived warmed by thoughts of yesterday and ready for a new adventure. We were fortunate to gain a private audience with Molly Crosby, author of The American Plague, who shared selected stories about the yellow fever outbreaks in the 
1800’s. And this, during a walking tour of Elmwood Cemetery. Embedded amongst the rolling hills of the cemetery are the stories of the “Martyrs of Memphis” — those who stayed to take care of the sick and dying during the worst plague in 1878 that ended up affecting 90% of those who stayed in the city and killing upwards of 5000 people. We learned that this was the worst natural urban disaster in American history. Students then participated in “carbon grave rubbing,” to learn assorted stories through the art of cataloguing of epitaphs. Cecelia Cordera, a risi
ng Senior, summed up our morning experience: “Capturing the history and essence perfectly, Elmwood Cemetery is a beautiful gem in the heart of Memphis Tennessee.”
We then headed for a visit to Crosstown Concourse to walk the area and hear a lecture by Dr. Todd Richardson. It was impossible to shake the feeling of expectancy as we learned all about the history of the iconic Sears building and all the efforts, put in by thousands of people, to make its refurbishment a reality in our city. And it is no longer a dream! In a mere seven months, the space will be up and operational, with over 90% of its retail space already rented and slated for use. Dr. Richardson described it an a “vertical urban village” and the only one of its kind in the vision of uniting the arts, education, health care, and diverse communities into one 5 million square foot project. As we drove off, we realized, serendipitously, that our new SG Bunkhouse on McLean Boulevard is within mere blocks of this unique site, which will include among other things, a vibrant shopping area complete with Kimbal Musk’s new The Kitchen Next Door: a locally supplied, real foods restaurant that is on the vanguard of revolutionizing the way people view the culinary arts.
Go Memphis!
