The Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) plot at Oakwood Cemetery has officially reopened following a restoration project. The initiative, which ran from October 2023 to April 2025, was a collaborative effort involving the Parks and Recreation Department, TSBVI, and Save Austin’s Cemeteries. A reopening event took place on May 14 at the Oakwood Cemetery Chapel.
The restoration work began after Cemetery Division staff approached TSBVI in fall 2023 regarding the plot’s condition. The school’s leadership quickly committed to funding the restoration, while Cemetery Division staff managed the project.
The TSBVI plot was established in the 1880s and includes tablets of individuals associated with the school. It had not seen an internment for over a century.
Emily Coleman, Superintendent of TSBVI, stated: “TSBVI has enjoyed collaborating with the City of Austin on renovating our historical lot at the Oakwood Cemetery and we look forward to celebrating the city’s work on May 14th.”
This project underscores efforts by Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department to preserve historic cemeteries. Over two years, their Cemetery Division has worked with more than 350 families to restore plots across several local cemeteries.
For those interested in cemetery lot restorations within Austin Memorial Park Cemetery or other listed locations, contact can be made via phone or email through Parks and Recreation’s Cemetery Division.
TSBVI serves around 11,000 students who are blind or visually impaired throughout Texas. Their programs aim to enhance educational outcomes for students aged birth to 22. Meanwhile, Save Austin’s Cemeteries focuses on preserving historic sites through documentation and education.
