The first cemetery rehab session sponsored by the Waterford Historical Society, on June 25, 2022, was a resounding success! VOCA (Vermont Old Cemetery Association) members arrived before 8 a.m., to survey the lovely fenced cemetery and make a plan of action. Some came from as far away as Rutland, and their skills and teaching efforts are enormously appreciated.
Here are some photos from the 4-hour session -- it was so rewarding to see the names emerge on the stones, and there will surely be more of these events. People joining us from other towns plan to also share the skills that the VOCA leaders taught today. THANK YOU, ALL!
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VOCA members lift & straighten stones, as Joan Alexander of Glover looks on.
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Nola Forbes of East St J, Waterford Historical Society and DAR member, tackles a stone on the shady side of the cemetery.
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Nicole from Wilder, another VOCA pro, gives a basic lesson on cleaning the stones; Elizabeth Dean, Kacey Dean, Susan Hayes, (sorry, missed your name), and Donna Heath get ready for action.
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Elizabeth Dean cleans one of the Bugbee family stones. She is an Austin family descendant.
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Kacey Dean applies new skills to discovering long-hidden names here.
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Christine Morey has her own list of stones in a neighboring town where she plans to apply her new skills.
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Steven Carpenter-Israel maneuvers to lift crooked and sunken stones. His wife Wendy's family has roots in Waterford back to the 1700s.
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I am so grateful that my family has a couple of lots at Park Lawn in Bennington. The care is impeccable. The staff helpful. Family lore is that my husband’s grandmother bought multiple lots after the cemetery at the “old Catholic Church” (now the Bennington museum) was washed, almost in totality, down the river in the ‘27 flood including her husband. I wonder how much of the extent of the destruction was accurate and how much myth. Any insights?
ReplyDeleteIn any case Park Lawn is a wonderful example of great respect and stewardship in the care of cemeteries. 🙏🙏. Thank you.
The flood of 1927 was terribly destructive -- and pretty well recorded. I think if you ask the Bennington Historical Society, they could help you learn more.
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