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Norfolk Society for
Cemetery Conservation
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Preserving, Protecting & Promoting
Norfolk's Historic Cemeteries
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QUARTERLY NEWS & UPDATES
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April 2019
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Cemetery Tours!
NO RESERVATIONS OR RSVP REQUIRED
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NSCC offers a variety of exciting tours that not only provide a detailed history about Norfolk's cemeteries, but also insight into the interesting lives of many of Norfolk's treasured residents. The tours are unique, so participants will gain different information with each tour experience. Each tour is led by dedicated NSCC volunteers who are knowledgeable local historians.
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Cemeteriescape 2019
PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST & EXHIBIT -
Deadline Extension!
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CALL FOR ENTRIES! March 17 to April 24
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The Norfolk Society for Cemetery Conservation (NSCC) will be accepting entries for the 2019 Norfolk’s Historic Cemeteriescape Photography Contest & Exhibit from March 17, 2019 to April 24, 2019. The 1st , 2nd & Board Choice winners will be on display at a reception at Slover library on May 21, 2019 from 6:00-8:00pm. First Place will be $1,000, Second Place will be $750 and Board's Choice $250. Photos can be taken in any
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cemetery in the Hampton Roads area which includes the cities of: Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Hampton, Portsmouth, Poquoson, Newport News and W illiamsburg. Norfolk’s Historic Cemeteriescape is designed to raise awareness of the historical, artistic, and cultural value of Norfolk’s historic municipal cemeteries. All funds raised are dedicated to conservation projects.
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Our first work day of the season on April 4 was productive!
We weeded, removed dead trees, pruned trees, and manicured and hedged overgrown bushes.
Thanks to the volunteers who came out!
Find out
about volunteering
HERE
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NORFOLK HISTORICAL CEMETERY
SPOTLIGHT
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Riverside Memorial Park was established in 1910 in the Campostella Heights area of Norfolk. The City of Norfolk purchased it in 1971. Riverside covers more than 44 acres and has a unique design - like the spokes of a wheel extending outward from a central circle creating sections shaped like pie slices. Since 1995, over 200 trees have been planted at Riverside as part of an ongoing urban forestry program. The installation of various species of trees enhanced Riverside's park-like atmosphere and those interested in horticulture find it very educational. Tugboats, industrial cranes, and other seafaring structures provide the backdrop to several sections at Riverside Memorial Park reminding those who visit of the import-ance of the ship repair industry to the City of Norfolk.
The Langley Angel monument is the largest at Riverside, dating back to the time when the Hendricks family owned and operated both the cemetery and a monument company on site. Additional, larger monuments populate the older sections of the park.
Notable burials are Robey E. Bateman, William Thomas Leggett, Thomas “Willie” Phelps, and Florence Steigler (Mary Ainslee). From HistorictForest.com
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Photo of Langley Angel monument, Riverside sign
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EARLY CEMETERY ASSOCIATION
by Cindy Meier
How does anyone get interested in a hobby? I have been volunteering with NSCC since October 2012 in response to a newspaper article. I have no family in or from Norfolk or anyone buried in a Norfolk cemetery. Now I have found that my interest has roots in my father’s family.
The Dwight Historical Society, Dwight, Illinois has a two-page document called “Goodfarm Cemetery Association.” My father’s family - my 2nd great grandparents from Germany - settled as farmers in Goodfarm Township, Grundy County, Illinois in 1849. An outbreak of cholera in Chicago in 1854 spread to Goodfarm. After an entire family and others died and were buried on their farm or near their homes, it was decided there was a need for a permanent burial place. In the year of 1854, fifteen men mentioned in a deed chose the plot now known as the Goodfarm Cemetery. My 2nd great grandfather, John Leonard Meier, was one of the fifteen men with an equal share and also a trustee of this association.“ In the very beginning space for burial was taken side by side as needed, a custom brought with these settlers from Germany. But this did not continue very long for in the
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records of 1865 it states that part of the cemetery grounds was divided into lots and numbered and that the charter members (including my ancestor) obtained by chance or choice a family lot. At first lots old for $5.00 and adult single graves for $.00, and children single graves for 50 cents, and by a gradual increase the lots sold for $20.00 by 1898.” [source Goodfarm Cemetery Association] In 1898 it was decided to have an annual business meeting in June of each year. At the meetings they discussed maintenance of the cemetery, pricing for lots and burial, and expansion. The aerial photo shows the well-maintained cemetery today surrounded as it was in the beginning by farm land.
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The mission of NSCC is accomplished through the efforts of volunteers - maintaining and conserving the Norfolk’s historical municipal cemeteries. Our volunteer workdays run from April through November on Thursdays from 8:30-12:30. If working at Elmwood Cemetery, the group meets at the circle near the Elmwood Office. Our workday efforts consist of landscaping and monument repair such as leveling, realigning, gluing, bracing and resetting headstones, footstones, cribs, cornerstones, curbing and steps.
We train volunteers in these efforts. We especially like to have groups as more work is accomplished with more people. Water and snacks are provided on all workdays. You can bring your own tools or they will be provided. As we are getting ready for a new year, we look forward to lots of volunteers. Please spread the word and follow the NSCC
Facebook
for updates on the volunteer schedule. For more info
CLICK HERE.
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INTERESTED IN BECOMING A BOARD MEMBER?
Norfolk Society of Cemetery Conservation accomplishes its mission with a board of directors and volunteers. We are searching for new board members. Board members serve 2 year terms. Our board year runs from June through May. The board consist of a president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, membership chair, and 6 directors. We meet monthly on the 2
nd
Tuesday night of the month. We know that there are a lot of people out there that appreciate the work of NSCC as we get many nice comments on our Facebook page. Please consider donating time to a wonderful organization. If you know someone you think would make a good candidate, please notify
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Sustaining Member Levels
Footstone - $10 per month
Headstone - $25 per month
Monument - $35 per month
You may also become an NSCC member for a one-time fee of $25 per year per person ($15 for students & military with valid ID).
Becoming a
Sustaining Member
of the NSCC is easy and insures that more of your donation goes towards the preservation of Norfolk's public cemeteries.
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Your monthly gift will make it possible for the NSCC to:
Professionally assess restoration projects
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Procure materials to repair broken artifacts
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Hire a professional stone mason and contractors
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Make use of equipment to lift & move monuments
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Provide tools, gloves, and
safety apparel
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Provide a reliable stream of program support
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MONUMENT MEMBERSHIP:
David Sullivan
HEADSTONE MEMBERSHIP:
Bobette Nelson
Want to send a donation?
P. O. Box 11446, Norfolk, VA 23517
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FOOTSTONE MEMBERSHIPS:
Kathryn Melhuish
Mike Frost
Roland Vaults
Andra English
John and Jane Oakes
Jim Ramsey
Diana Ramsey
Cindy Meier
Richard Gresham
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Want to know more about the NSCC?
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Is your civic league, historical society, or any other group interested in a speaker for your upcoming meeting? if so, please contact Norfolk Society for Cemetery Conservation
at 757-619-0540. NSCC has a number of members knowledgeable about Norfolk’s historical cemeteries,
the history of the City of Norfolk, and related topics.
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The mission of the Norfolk Society for Cemetery Conservation (NSCC) is to preserve, protect and promote the eight historic municipal cemeteries located in Norfolk, Virginia through conservation, education and advocacy. NSCC partners with The City of Norfolk's Bureau of Cemeteries to ensure the conservation & preservation of Norfolk's eight historic municipal cemeteries. These sacred spaces are valuable artistic, educational, cultural and recreational resources for our community
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Board of Directors
Diana Ramsey, President
David Cacace, Vice President
John Cameron, Treasurer
Mike Frost, Secretary
Donna Bluemink
Cindy Meier
Jim Ramsey
Andrew Roberts
John Dill,
Chief Conservator
Robert Hitchings,
Advisor
David Sullivan,
Advisor
P. O. Box 11446
Norfolk, VA 23517
757-619-0540
Director@NorfolkSocietyforCemeteryConservation.org
Administrative Staff
Norfolk Bureau of Cemeteries
Ted Dudley, Bureau Manager
John Dill, Chief Conservator
Susan Platt, Public Information Specialist II
Pat Rowsey, Administrative Technician
238 E. Princess Anne Road
Norfolk, VA 23510
757-441-2576
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