Thank you!—It’s been a very busy summer and much has been accomplished and projects taken off of our “to do” list. The metal bollards on either side of the Cemetery entrance gates have been painted black to match the gates and archway, and have had decorative tops added to them. The support posts on the man-gates leading to the D Street parking lot have also been painted black to match the cemetery gates. In addition, the sign with the Cemetery Rules and Regulations has been placed on the left hand side of the road as you drive through the gates. Thanks go to Richard Shields and Eric Villarreal for putting the final touches on our beautifully restored entrance to our Pioneer Cemetery. I also want to thank Bryan Pancheau, Metal Sculpture & Design for his generosity for redoing the man-gates to match the entrance gates as a gift to the cemetery.

Our new brochure, “Civil War and Civil War Era Veterans” has been published and copies are currently available at the Cemetery Interpretive Center located next to the Sexton’s Tool House. Thank you once again to Jacksonville artist Anne Brooke for her thoughtful and meaningful design for the front cover and drawings inside. Much appreciation goes to John McGlothlin for his research and writing of this wonderful addition to the history of the Jacksonville Cemetery and its residents.

Current Project Updates

Work on the Mary T. Agnes Hanna plot should be just about complete when you receive your August issue of the Review. As of this writing, work on the original outer walls and the newly-added inner walls have been finished. The base and plinth for the large tablet-style headstone have been placed back on their original site. Next, the headstone will be reattached to the base followed by the cap pieces being reattached to the walls and then the corner bollards put in place. This has been the biggest and most rewarding restoration project taken on by volunteers to date, and we are very pleased with how things have been going.

Great progress has been made on the Cemetery Kiosk project as well. The pavilion has been stained a light color to better enhance the beauty of the wood and the wonderful iron work. Gutters and gutter screens have also been installed. A hand rail, leading up the ramp to the Interpretive Center and down the steps to the pavilion, is being made by Bryan Pancheau. In his design, Bryan will be incorporaping several pieces of iron scroll work that were donated to the Friends several years ago.

With the help of a great team of workers from Community Justice, hired by the FOJHC, sixty-two U-Channel posts were driven into the ground along the roadways of the City Section. Thank you to Richard and Eric for helping me keep ahead of the calls for “where does the next post go.” Next, signs will be added that will indicate the appropriate block numbers at each of the post locations. These along with a map will hopefully be a big help to visitors when trying to locate a grave site. Our appreciation to Valerie D. Coutts, who made a generous donation in memory of her husband, Glenn L. Coutts, who passed on November 12, 2017. Valerie requested that her gift be used towards signage for the Kiosk project.

Thank you all for your support and wonderful feedback on these projects, it means a lot and we appreciate it. Be sure to check out our website for upcoming events and activities at friendsjvillecemetery.org.

August Cemetery Events

  • Saturday, August 10, 10:00am: History Saturday in the Cemetery “Courageous Women, Ahead of Their Time”
  • Tuesday, August 13, 6:30pm: Tuesday Evening Cemetery Stroll “A Visit to the Masonic Section of the Cemetery”
  • Saturday, August 17, 9:00am: Marker Cleaning Workshop Volunteers needed for a fun and worthwhile project

Featured image; The Hanna plot in the final stages of a total restoration.