Jacksonville Review – September 2025

VISITORS to the cemetery on the morning of July 14 enjoyed a lively History Saturday talk by docents Roan Reed and Ellen Martin (Ellen is also an FOJHC Director) on “Victorian Etiquette from Birth to Death.” While the Victorian Era began in England prior to Jacksonville’s founding as a gold rush town with miners, merchants, and ladies of ill repute, it wasn’t long before polite society arrived bringing all the rules and customs needed to create a social order, emphasizing propriety and decorum in virtually all situations. As an example, while expectations abounded for all, some simple (but key) behaviors for men included: wearing a suit coat in public (unless you were a laborer), not wearing a hat indoors… and not spitting on the floor! The times were very different, and we thank Roan and Ellen for an interesting and fun morning, and for describing the world of Victorian Jacksonville for us so eloquently!

A week later, on July 21, another beautiful summer morning brought the largest turnout of the season (maybe ever) for our Marker Cleaning Workshop! Friends Director, Dee Reynar, had plenty of cleaning supplies at the ready, and the crew of fourteen, including several new recruits who benefited from Dee’s expert coaching, together cleaned some thirty-six markers in the City and IOOF sections. The areas adjacent to the Sexton’s Tool House are now a great example of the progress the marker cleaning project is making in caring for our historic, pioneer cemetery. Thanks to all for participating in this on-going effort!

Finally, a reminder to all Adopt-A-Block volunteers that our raking and bagging services are especially needed at present due to the heavy drop of Madrone leaves currently blanketing many parts of the cemetery. Please consider an early morning visit to your Adopt-A-Block plot(s) and enjoy a cool, beautiful time of day outdoors, while helping to keep our cemetery safe and attractive!

Please check our website at friendsjvillecemetery.org for future events and programs.

SEPTEMBER CEMETERY EVENTS

History Saturday in the Cemetery
Saturday, September 13, 10-11:30am
“Early Farmers and Ranchers
in the Rogue Valley”
No advance registration is required. May not be suitable for the very young. Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. There is no fee for the tour, however donations supporting our programs are greatly appreciated.

Marker Cleaning Workshop
Saturday, September 20, 9am-noon
Come learn the latest tools and techniques to safely clean and preserve the many grave markers in our cemetery that are covered in moss, lichen, and dirt and have become difficult to read. This is a hands-on workshop, so dress accordingly. Bring a stool to sit on, plus sunscreen and a hat.

All Events: Meet at the Sexton’s Tool House, top of Cemetery Road. Parking within the cemetery.

Featured image: A fun moment at History Saturday in the Cemetery, July 2025. Photo: Dick Meyers