In each of my eighteen summers in Jacksonville, there has always come a morning sometime in mid-September when suddenly there’s a slight crispness in the air, and it becomes clear that our typical hot summer days will soon be giving way to the cooler weather of early fall.
September also marks this year’s final sessions of History Saturday in the Cemetery and our Marker Cleaning Workshops, September 9th and 16th respectively. We hope you’re able to join us on a beautiful Saturday morning to hear another chapter of Jacksonville’s history or help preserve the markers on which so much of that history was initially recorded (details below).
Our History Saturday program in June, “Travel by Stagecoach,” presented by Joan and Tony Hess, was interesting and informative. A tour afterward shared stories of some of Jacksonville’s early pioneers who could only have wished their travel over the Oregon Trail by covered wagon had been as comfortable as the later stagecoach travel described by Tony and Joan.
July’s History Saturday program on “Marker Symbolism,” described the wide variety of marker materials, shapes, and sizes in the Jacksonville cemetery, and explained the meaning behind the many symbols appearing on those markers. Docents Dee Reynar and Ellen Martin then led a well-received tour of markers throughout the cemetery to illustrate the points of their talk.
Reflecting on this year’s Marker Cleaning Workshops, it’s hard to imagine a more pleasant and rewarding community activity for a summer morning! If you’re a “newbie,” the important-to-know instructions are straight-forward and well-presented, with all cleaning materials provided and well organized. You’ll enjoy some mild exercise, gentle camaraderie, and a sense of accomplishment when your marker quickly begins to shine. In three sessions so far this season, (May through July) nearly 100 markers have been cleaned and returned to readability!
History Saturday in the Cemetery, Saturday, September 9, 10-11:30am, “Education in the Victorian Era”— A popular outdoor local history talk followed by a short walking tour to related cemetery sites. Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. Meet at the Sexton’s Tool House, top of Cemetery Road near the flagpole. Parking within the cemetery grounds. There is no fee for the tour, however, donations are greatly appreciated and help support our educational programs and restoration and preservation work within the cemetery.
Marker Cleaning Workshop, Saturday, September 16, 9am-noon—Please join us and learn to safely clean and help 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, sunscreen and a hat. Meet at the Sexton’s Tool House, top of Cemetery Road near the flagpole, for detailed instructions and to pick-up cleaning tools and supplies. Parking within the cemetery grounds.
Featured image: Volunteer Michael Sneary at the Peter Dietrich marker (Redmen 16). Photo by Mary Siedlecki.