Cemetery Restoration and Preservation Work—In my March 2018 column, I shared the story of cleaning-out the cabinets in the Sexton’s Tool House and finding various pieces of damaged headstones and monuments, along with a few small headstones. One of the pieces of Margaret Zumwalt’s headstone was happily returned to the Eugene Pioneer Cemetery where it belonged. While volunteer John McGlothlin and I were busy with that project, our Cemetery Sexton Richard Shields and his assistant, Eric Villarreal, had been busy clearing-out their small and cramped Cemetery Workshop. They were not only trying to make additional room for their tools and supplies but also to create an area for us to work during the winter months. Along one back wall were a number of very large and heavy pieces of headstones that had been

Peninger stone repaired – Photo by John McGlothlin

stored there. Most were damaged as a result of vandalism many years ago and placed in the shop for safekeeping. After moving the pieces of headstones outside into the daylight, Eric managed to match-up most of the pieces. He later determined from cemetery records where they belonged. Eric provided John and me with this information—and we started the process of repairing and placing the headstones back on the gravesites where they belong. We managed to get a couple done before winter set-in and will continue the work as soon as the weather is warm enough for the epoxy to setup. One that we managed to restore in the fall of 2017, was the headstone of John Peninger, who died on October 17, 1855 at the age of 39 years, 11 months and 7 days. The original sandstone base remained in the ground where John was buried, but his large marble tablet-style headstone was broken into two pieces. The two pieces were among those being stored in the shop. After digging-up and leveling the base, we reattached the first and smaller piece into the hand-chiseled base. We then waited a couple of days and then reattached the larger top piece using epoxy and clamping and bracing the pieces together. It is a beautiful marker and one that we are so pleased to have been able to place back on the gravesite of John Peninger. John was a Pioneer of 1852 and his remains were removed from what was referred to as the “Old Cemetery,” and reburied in the Jacksonville Cemetery following its opening in December of 1859. He is buried in the City Section, Block 217, Plot 3.

Upcoming Events and Activities

Marker Cleaning Workshop, Saturday, April 21 9:00am-noon—Join us for our first Marker Cleaning Workshop of 2018 and learn how to properly and safely clean headstones and monuments. All tools and supplies are provided along with instructions. We meet at the Sexton’s Tool House at the top of the Cemetery Road where you will find parking available. Dress for the project as you may get a little wet and you may want to bring along a stool to sit on, a hat and sun screen. This is a fun and very worthwhile volunteer project.

Coming in May

Tuesday Evening Cemetery Stroll, May 8, 6:30-8:00pm. “Cemetery 101: Monument and Monument Makers” will be the topic of our first stroll in 2018. Learn about how the cemetery is laid out, the different sections and the various materials that the monuments are made of and who made them.

History Saturday in the Cemetery, Saturday, May 12, 10:00-11:30am. Our topic will be, “Brides—To Love and Cherish,” presented by Lynn Ransford and Anne Peugh. Following the talk a short walking tour will be offered.

Community Clean-Up Day, Saturday, May 19, 8:00am-noon. Join us and other community volunteers in cleaning-up and preparing the cemetery for the Memorial Day holiday. Bring gloves, eye and ear protection, gas-operated lawn mowers and weed-eaters, leaf rakes, brooms and pruners. Freshly-brewed coffee and morning refreshments will be offered.

Featured image is of Peninger stone gluing by John McGlothlin.