Restoration Work Begins on Oakland’s Main Gate

Oakland’s stately, ever-welcoming front door is getting a major makeover.

“The gate,” as many of us know it, was built in 1896, forty-six years after the Cemetery's founding in 1850, for the cost of $1,200 at a time of significant improvements to the Cemetery. In the many years it has existed, it has become one of the most iconic and recognizable symbols of the Cemetery.

But with time also comes wear & tear. The decades have taken a toll on the gate, leaving it with white stains (the result of crystalline deposits of salt and minerals), environmental grime, and missing caps at the top. The last major restoration of Oakland’s iconic archway and gate was conducted in the 1960s.

Thanks to our generous community of Oakland supporters and with the partnership of the City of Atlanta Department of Parks & Recreation, we raised enough funds to begin major restoration work on the gate at the start of 2026.

And now, the work has begun. You might have noticed some utility work in late April as we worked with Georgia Power to bury the power lines that previously blocked our view of the iconic “OAKLAND.” For the next few weeks, the gate will undergo major cleaning and structural repairs. The historic iron gates have been deinstalled and taken off-site for restoration, repairs, and repainting. (Don’t worry - temporary fencing has been installed in the meantime.) And, mind the scaffolding, and don’t be too startled if a drop of water splashes the sidewalk around your feet - the restoration team is using a complex of hand scrubbing and some microabrasion to clean the chemical deposits off the brickwork. You’ll also notice some repointing and brick repair and replacement in the coming weeks, the restored gates will be rehung, and new granite topcaps, specifically made for the archway, will be installed towards the end of the project. 

The restoration work is expected to be completed by the first week of June, barring any unexpected weather. We look forward to having our “front door” looking its best to welcome visitors to the Cemetery each day.

(Also…check out all of the restoration and preservation work happening inside the Gate when you next visit, too!)