Cemeteries are among the most valuable historical resources. They are reminders of various settlement patterns, such as villages, rural communities, urban centers, and ghost towns. Cemeteries can reveal information about historical events, religions, lifestyles, and genealogy.
Cemeteries are among the most valuable historical resources. They are reminders of various settlement patterns, such as villages, rural communities, urban centers, and ghost towns. Cemeteries can reveal information about historical events, religion, lifestyles, and genealogy.
Your time, energy, and effort are important to the survival of neglected cemeteries. Before starting a cemetery preservation project, please refer to the two documents, “Standards for Preserving Historic Cemeteries” and “Preserving Historic Cemeteries: Texas Preservation Guidelines.” The standards are included in this brochure on page 7, and the guidelines are available online at www.thc.state.tx.us (select “cemeteries,” then “preserving cemeteries”).
Graduate Program in Historic Preservation Graduate School of Fine Arts, University of Pennsylvania - Tomb and Marker Survey Manual.
There is no better way to connect with the history of a place than to visit its cemetery. Indeed, when Vermont was first settled in the 1700s one of the first signs of community life was the creation of a cemetery. Many of these early cemeteries still exist today, and a visit to these old burial grounds can tell us a lot about life in Vermont at the time. While most Vermonters will visit a cemetery at one time or another, many people do not realize that most of Vermont’s cemeteries are managed by volunteer boards.
Because cleaning cemeteries and decorating graves is a traditional springtime, pre-Memorial Day activity, we offer advice and sources of information regarding how to clear burial grounds and clean grave markers in a manner that will not damage them. Suppose you know of a cemetery needing preservation and cannot perform the work. In that case, we suggest you contact your local historical/genealogical society or other organizations, such as Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, who conduct public service projects.
