Sharing the latest status report from Christina Yetzer Drain regarding the deteriorating state of the Historic Community Mausoleum at the Oakland Cemetery in Shelby, Richland County, Ohio.

Click on the link below:
 View of an early colorized image of the Oakland Cemetery Mausoleum courtesy of the Columbus Metropolitan

 Library
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Sharing this important updated status report regarding the Community Mausoleum containing 240 crypts located at the Oakland Cemetery in Shelby, Richland County, Ohio.  

Truly, time is of the essence because the mausoleum's condition has been deteriorating at a rapid pace.  It is a grim report indeed to be sharing while deliberations continue about adopting the most effective coarse of action to undertake to better restore and preserve this one-of-a-kind structure to ensure a brighter future for it. 
Please read the information provided in the attached links to gain a greater grasp of the severity of the situation. The pictures help tell the story of how serious the immediate need is to act as soon as possible to save this structure and thus the final resting places for those who are interred in it.  

"Mausoleum at Shelby's Oakland Cemetery in Need of Restoration" by Hayden Gray

Excerpt:

"SHELBY — Christina Yetzer Drain said the community mausoleum at Shelby’s Oakland Cemetery is likely the city’s most important landmark."

"Constructed in 1907, it’s the second oldest community mausoleum in the state, according to Friends of Oakland Mausoleum."

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"Drain, a Shelby historian, has been talking with the Oakland Cemetery Board to figure out how to best proceed with restoration work. The board includes John Ensman, Steven McLaughlin, Brian Crum, John Hancock, Scott Shatzer, Julie Alt and Kevin Ernst."
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Friends of Oakland Mausoleum on Facebook
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Shelby-Oakland Cemetery on Find a Grave
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Shelby Ohio History - By shelbyohiohistory / May 24, 2021
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The Fayette County Genealogical Society - Chapter of O.G.S. - Presents - Mr. Paul LaRue, Educator and Historian - "The Feeble Minded Institute Cemetery: One of Ohio's Most Unique Cemeteries" - Monday, March 17, 2025 - 7:00p.m. - 101 E. East Street, Washington Court House, Ohio - Evelyn Pentzer Meeting Room

Sharing from: 

The Fayette County Genealogical Society - Chapter of O.G.S. : 

Presents 

Mr. Paul LaRue, Educator and Historian 

"The Feeble Minded Institute Cemetery: One of Ohio's Most Unique Cemeteries"
Monday, March 17, 2025 - 7:00p.m.
101 E. East Street, Washington Court House, Ohio - Evelyn Pentzer Meeting Room

***This event is free and open to the Public***

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The Orient Feeble Minded Institute Cemetery on Find a Grave.

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Mr. Paul LaRue

Also:

Additional biographical links for Mr. Paul LaRue:

https://doughboy.org/paul-larue-leads-st-colman-cemetery-tour-in-fayette-county-oh/

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https://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/ohio-in-ww1-reading-resources.html

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https://news.va.gov/76872/preserving-legacy-veterans-buried-unmarked-graves/

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https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/military/2016/05/30/veterans-unmarked-graves-get-new/23617459007/

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https://blogs.loc.gov/teachers/2024/01/using-the-veterans-history-project-for-holocaust-education/

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Sharing news of the 2025 "Scenic Ohio" Award Recipients for Ohio's Scenic and Historic Cemeteries & Spotlighting the Old Burying Ground in Greenfield, one of the seven cemeteries chosen for this award.

"Preservation Project" Old Burying Ground Greenfield, Ohio

 

 

 

"Since 2014, the Old Burying Ground (OBG) in Greenfield, Ohio, 

has been undergoing work by a group of dedicated volunteers.

Throughout each year, work sessions have been held by key volunteers. 

This email is our way of sharing the progress 

informing you of any upcoming work sessions,

and offering information about this historic cemetery. 

We encourage your continued support in this

effort and your sharing of this information

with your friends.

"2024 marked the completion of our mapping of the cemetery.  By working in 50'x50' sections we identified the burials in each section,  took pictures of the gravestones and updated the Billion Graves website and our Master List of Burials and Working List. A map was also created showing the individual sections that we created. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* When the spring weather finally arrives this year we will survey the cemetery to see if there has been any winter damage to any gravestones and determine what our work plan should be for the year.  We would also like to schedule a time  when volunteers can help in cleaning gravestones. This is not a difficult process,  but we do need to know if you want to help so we can provide enough items to perform the cleaning.  ***** If interested, please email:      (jfking@earthlink.net), and we will put your name on the list and let you know when we can schedule that session. Thanks! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* This month we received exciting news that our efforts to preserve the Old Burying Ground will be recognized by Scenic Ohio as  one of the recipients of this year's ***Scenic Ohio Award.*** ******* "Scenic Ohio's awards program recognizes  the work of organizations, agencies, and  individuals that conserve, restore,  maintain and manage Ohio's scenic places.   ******** Our Historic Cemeteries are treasures  to be honored as true  "Gardens for the Living".   ******** The restoration work at Old Burying Ground Cemetery is exemplary and an important example of what many historic cemeteries need.  ******** The work of restoration, preservation and maintenance of historic cemeteries is work of the highest order and to be encouraged throughout Ohio."  ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* The Old Burying Ground will be recognized at an event in April with six other cemeteries in Ohio: 2025 AWARDS RECIPIENTS:   1.  Lake ViewCemetery, Cleveland   2.  GreenlawnCemetery, Columbus   3.  Spring GroveCemetery, Cincinnati   4.  FerncliffCemetery, Springfield   5.  Mt. Tabor Church Cemetery, Mingo   6.  Old BuryingGround, Highland County   7.  StratfordCemetery, Delaware County AWARDS LUNCHEON EVENT: DATE:                    April 4 LOCATION:          Newark, Ohio The Historic Buckingham Meeting House    5 North 6th Street   Newark, Ohio  43055 TIME:              11:30 am - 1:30 pm KEYNOTE:  Krista Horrocks,                         Ohio History Connection BOOK SIGNING: 11:30 - Noon                                  and 1:30 pm - 2:00 pm,                                  Ian Adams, photographer "This Place of Silence"  Ohio's Cemeteries and Burial Grounds" POST EVENT TOUR: 2:30 pm The Octagon World Heritage Site  Newark,  Jeff Gill ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Thank you all for being supporters and volunteers to help make this happen! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Throughout each year, work sessions have been
held by key volunteers. 
We encourage your continued support in this
effort and your sharing of this information
with your friends."

Thank you for caring!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* (Above photo by Jackie Doles  September 30, 2018)