Emek Sholom Holocaust Memorial Cemetery
Also known as: DHR File #043-5006
Why it's listed
Emek Sholom, meaning Valley of Peace, is a Holocaust memorial and small burial ground within Forest Lawn Cemetery in eastern Henrico County, Virginia. Its centerpiece is a light gray granite monument about seventeen feet long, made of three panels on a continuous base and cut by Empire Monumental Works of Richmond. Two hundred names are engraved, generally grouped by family, honoring relatives of Richmond immigrants who died in Europe and have no known graves. Gravesites for family members are arranged in a semicircle in front of it. The New American Jewish Club, formed in 1947 by immigrants who fled Germany and Eastern Europe, dedicated the monument in November 1955. Copper and bronze floral sculptures were added in 1986. The nomination states it is the earliest memorial of its type in Virginia and appears to be among the first in the United States, built by survivors at a time when most Holocaust memorials had not yet been erected. It remains the site of an annual Kristallnacht observance.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is the earliest and only monument of its type and size in Virginia honoring Holocaust victims, and among the first of its kind in the United States. It was built by Holocaust survivors who settled in Richmond after 1933, which the form describes as likely unique. It is listed under Criterion A, with exceptions for a cemetery, a commemorative property, and a property less than 50 years old.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 99000072, listed February 10, 1999. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 4000 Pilots Ln., Richmond |
|---|---|
| County | Henrico County |
| Listed | February 10, 1999 |
| Reference number | 99000072 |
| Resource type | Object |
| Period of significance | 1955 |
| Architect / builder | Monument cut by Empire Monumental Works Inc. of Richmond; floral sculptures added in 1986 by sculptress Linda Gissen |
| Architectural style | Commemorative monument |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Social History, Other |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a memorial and burial ground; 119 of 175 gravesites used and an annual Kristallnacht commemoration is held. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 37.59109, -77.43730 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 99000072.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5370323
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.