Thank You Volunteers—Our sincere appreciation and gratitude to all the volunteers who showed-up for our first Community Clean-up Day of the year on March 10, 2017. It was a beautiful day and a great turnout with members of the community and the Church of Latter Day Saints pitching-in to clean-up the grounds of winter debris. Approximately 111 large trash bags were filled and piled alongside the roadways, as well as four large tarps piled high with leaves and branches. Thank you to Cemetery Sexton Richard Shields and his assistant, Eric Villarreal, for making a quick job of picking-up and hauling-off the piles of debris.

Upcoming May History Events and Activities in the Cemetery

Tuesday Evening Stroll in the Cemetery, May 9, 6:30-8:00pm—Join us for an after-dinner stroll through the cemetery grounds and learn some of the history of Jacksonville’s Pioneer Cemetery and its residents. May’s stroll will be through the Improved Order and the Independent Order (German) of the Red Men sections of the cemetery. Learn the interesting history of this fraternal organization, the nation’s oldest patriotic fraternal organization of American origin, and hear the stories of some of its members who rest within these two sections. The stroll will be guided by Pam Smith and Dirk Siedlecki. No advance reservations are required and the tour is free however, donations are always appreciated and help to support the work of the Friends of Jacksonville’s Historic Cemetery. Meet your docents at the top of the Cemetery Road where you will find parking available. Tuesday Evening Strolls are offered on the second Tuesday of the month, May through August.

History Saturday in the Cemetery, May 13, 10:00-11:30am—More history about Jacksonville, the Rogue Valley and Southern Oregon will be presented when our program will be on “Entertainment and Leisure Time in the Late 1800’s and Early 1900’s” as presented by Docents Lynn Ransford and Seth Weintraub. This ninety-minute program promises to be informative, interesting and fun! No advance reservations are required and the program is free. Donations are accepted and greatly appreciated as they help fund the work of the Friends of Jacksonville’s Historic Cemetery. Parking is available at the top of the Cemetery Road where you will meet up with your docents. History Saturday programs are offered on the second Saturday of the month, May through September.

Community Clean-up Day, May 20, 8:00am-noon—Join us for a Community Clean-up Day of the Cemetery grounds as we prepare for families and visitors over the Memorial Day Holiday. Bring gloves to wear, eye protection, gas-operated weed eaters, lawn mowers, leaf rakes, pruners and brooms (to sweep off headstones). Dust masks and ear protection will be provided along with freshly-brewed coffee and morning refreshments. Parking is available at the top of the Cemetery Road.

Memorial Day Meet and Greet, May 28 & May 29, 11:00am-3:00 pm—Volunteers with the Friends of Jacksonville’s Historic Cemetery will be on-site in the cemetery to greet visitors and help them locate the gravesites of loved ones. They will also answer questions about the cemetery and the work of the Friends of Jacksonville’s Historic Cemetery.

The Friends will also place flags on the graves of all those Veterans who rest in our cemetery. This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the United States entry into World War I on April 6, 1917. Stop by for a visit and pay your respects to all who have served our Country.