I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all our volunteers who did so much in preparing the cemetery grounds for the Memorial Day holiday. The grounds looked neat and tidy with flowers and flags marking this special day of remembrance for the 410 known Veterans who rest in our cemetery. Our new Adopt-A-Block program, with some 180 volunteers, certainly played a big role in that effort as well as providing ongoing care. It seems no matter the day of the week or time of day that I am in the cemetery, volunteers are working on their blocks or caring for other areas of the grounds.

A total of 233:30 hours were contributed in volunteer labor in the month of May. This included restoration work, marker cleaning, a Community Clean-up in the Catholic and German Order of Red Men sections, placing flags at the gravesites of our Veterans and other general maintenance items. This does not include the many hours of labor that our Adopt-A-Block volunteers, who work on their own schedule, put in caring for their blocks. Again, my appreciation and gratitude to our dedicated volunteers for all that you do.

I am happy to report that our newest brochure, “The Chinese in Jacksonville’s History,” has been printed and copies are available in the cemetery brochure box. My appreciation to Lynn Ransford and Anne Peugh, for the original research they did for a program they presented at History Saturday in the Cemetery in 2016. Thank you to Dick Meyers for his editing work in preparing the material for a brochure format. A big thank you to Jacksonville artist and friend, Anne Brooke, for the cover design and art work. We hope you find the new brochure interesting and informative.

We are happy to announce the return of History Saturdays in the Cemetery!

  • Saturday, July 10, 10am—”Cemetery Superstitions,” presented by Lynn Ransford and Carolyn Embry
  • Saturday, July 24, 10am—”Let’s Talk Cemetery: History, Future, Terminology, Workings, Care and Concerns,” presented by Dirk Siedlecki

Programs run approximately 90 minutes and may include a short walking tour following the docent presentation. We suggest wearing comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen and bringing along a bottle of water. Please plan on keeping a social distance and wearing a mask if you have not been fully-vaccinated, out of courtesy to our other guests and docents. Parking is available at the top of the Cemetery Road and around the traffic circle. These programs are free, but donations are always appreciated and help support our educational and restoration projects in the cemetery. Thank you for your consideration of making a donation.

Marker Cleaning Workshop, Saturday, July 17, 9am- noon—Monthly workshops are held on the third Saturday of the month April-September. Volunteers clean headstones, monuments and other cemetery fixtures to help preserve and protect them for future generations. All the proper tools and supplies are provided along with instructions on safe cleaning techniques. As this is a hands-on project dress accordingly as you will get a little wet! We suggest bringing along a garden type stool to sit on, a hat, sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes. We meet at the Sexton’s Tool House at the top of the Cemetery Road.