"The Man Who Changed the History of Ohio" - by Charles Coutellier P. S.

Sharing Mr. Charles Coutellier's in-depth research paper entitled:  

"The Man Who Changed the History of Ohio."

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Mr. Charles Coutellier's profile on "Linked In"

Mr. Charles Coutellier's papers available on "Academia.eu

William Wells memorial on "Find A Grave"

"Death may be the main event, but signs of life abound at Spring Grove Cemetery"

Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum in Cincinnati is indeed an awesome cemetery to visit and linger to pay proper respects to those who call it their final resting place.

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This spotlight story shapes our view through a historical lens to the beginnings of this, America's third largest cemetery, long known for its grand mausoleums that dominate the vast tree-filled landscape.
The photographs and story are from Alexandra Charitan for "Roadtrippers"

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Peace and comfort prevail.  

A visitor soon realizes how special Spring Grove Cemetery is as a burial ground.  

It projects a peaceful yet powerful presence permeating air and land alike. 

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Andrew Henry Ernst

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The website "Find A Grave" shows 235,528 memorials for Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati. 

Historic Cemeteries and Gravestones

Ohio House Bill 444 - Township "Omnibus Bill" includes updating the Ohio Revised Code Section 517.27 regarding the transfer of cemeteries to a township

Ohio House Bill 444 - 2020 - “The Omnibus Bill” - Includes Transfer of Cemeteries - per “Ohio Township News”

Ohio House Bill 444 - General Assembly 133 – 2020

 

This proposed Ohio House Bill 444 is referenced in the March/April 2020 “Ohio Township News”, on page 20, under the Heading of “Legislative Update” - “The Omnibus Bill” by Marisa Myers.

 

At the time of the magazine’s publication, the bill has had one hearing in the House State and Local Government Committee.

 

There is a listing of 10 issues that this bill addresses, including:

“Transfer of Cemeteries” which is summarized on page 20 of the “Ohio Township News”:

 

“ Townships are required to take control of cemeteries from religious organizations and cemetery associations without stipulation. For example, there is no requirement that a church transfer cemetery records or cemetery funds to the township should they wish to transfer a cemetery. Furthermore, there is nothing to prevent a cemetery from being transferred simply because a church or benevolent society wishes to stop caring for it. This legislation will put some minimum standards in place regarding the transfer of cemeteries and clarify the process by which an entity may transfer a cemetery.”

 

Link below to the Ohio Legislature - HB 444:

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA133-HB-444

 

As Introduced

133rd General Assembly

Regular Session H. B. No. 444

2019-2020

Representatives Baldridge, Abrams

Cosponsors: Representatives Carfagna, Seitz, Lang, Blair, Stoltzfus, Ginter,

Hambley, Carruthers, Grendell, Swearingen, Stephens, Riedel, Jones, Keller,

Cross, Roemer, O'Brien, Smith, T., Clites

A BILL

To amend sections 9.65, 165.01, 165.03, 503.07,

505.172, 505.43, 505.86, 505.87, 505.871,

517.27, 715.82, 742.33, 742.34, 3735.27,

4765.43, 5571.16, 5705.19, and 5705.25 of the Revised Code to make various changes to township law.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

   Sec. 517.27. (A) When a public cemetery in a township is not under the control of a municipal corporation, and the title or control thereof is vested in an association or the its board of trustees thereof, or is vested in a religious society, whether incorporated or not, or in the its board of trustees thereof, and such cemetery is used exclusively for cemetery purposes, such association, society, or the board of trustees thereof may convey such grounds to the board of township trustees and its successors in office. Subject Except as provided in division (B) of this section, and subject to the rights of the original grantor, his the original grantor's heirs or assigns, the board of township trustees shall accept and take possession of such the grounds, and take care of, keep in repair, hold, treat, and manage them in all respects as required by sections 517.01 to 517.32, inclusive, of the Revised Code.

            (B) A board of township trustees is not required to accept and take possession of the grounds of a public cemetery, or to take care of, keep in repair, hold, treat, or manage the grounds as described in division (A) of this section, if, as a result of the conveyance, any parcel abutting the cemetery grounds or from which the grounds were partitioned or subdivided satisfies any of the following conditions :

  (1) The parcel is owned by the association or its trustees or the religious society that conveyed the cemetery grounds or by an association, its trustees, or a religious society that is a successor to the association, trustees, or religious society that conveyed the cemetery grounds.

     (2) Any part of the parcel, including any building or structure situated on the parcel, is used for social, educational, recreational, or religious activities of the association or religious society or of an association or religious society that is a successor to the association ,

trustees, or religious society that conveyed the cemetery grounds.

     (3) Any part of the parcel, including any building or structure situated on the parcel, is exempted from property taxation under section 5709.07 or 5709.14 of the Revised Code, or under division  (B) of section 5709.12 of the Revised Code on the basis of being used by the association or religious society exclusively for charitable purposes.

            (C) When a cemetery association or religious society conveys a cemetery under this section, all cemetery records and funds shall be transferred to the township. Transferred funds shall be used exclusively for cemetery purposes as set forth in section 1721.06 of the Revised Code and any other similar provisions of the Revised Code that require funds to be held in trust

for cemetery purposes.

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Link below to the CURRENT Ohio Revised Code 517.27:

http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/517.27v1

“517.27 Transfer of cemeteries to board of township trustees.”

“When a public cemetery in a township is not under the control of a municipal corporation, and the title or control thereof is vested in an association or the trustees thereof, or is vested in a religious society, whether incorporated or not, or in the trustees thereof, and such cemetery is used exclusively for cemetery purposes, such association, society, or the trustees thereof may convey such grounds to the board of township trustees and its successors in office. Subject to the rights of the original grantor, his heirs or assigns, the board shall accept and take possession of such grounds, and take care of, keep in repair, hold, treat, and manage them in all respects as required by sections 517.01 to 517.32, inclusive, of the Revised Code.”

Effective Date: 10-01-1953 .

Sharing this story from Sheridan Hendrix of the Columbus Dispatch - Floral Hills Memory Gardens in Circleville will be up for auction on March 24, 2020. No bids for it on March 3.

 "Columbus Dispatch" reporter, Sheridan Hendrix, compiled an in-depth story :"Auction of Circleville Cemetery Dead before it Started"on March 4, 2020, the day following the scheduled Sheriff's auction at the Pickaway County Courthouse for the sale of Floral Hills Memory Gardens - and there were no bidders. 

The next date for another auction will be on Tuesday, March 24.
 

We will stay tuned for more details for what comes next should Floral Hills Memory Gardens not sell.  

Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum continues with basic and advanced cemetery preservation workshops - Instructor Misti Spillman

The Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum in Dayton, Ohio is again offering both beginner and advanced cemetery preservation workshops. Misti Spillman returns as the instructor for this 2020 series of classes. 

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"Classes include hands on, one-on-one and group instruction on headstone preservation and proper cleaning techniques. 

Two class types will be provided including a basic beginners class featuring basic headstone cleaning techniques and demonstrations on headstone repairs. 

The advanced class will delve into base production, up-righting monuments, mortar mixing and hoisting.

Each attendee will receive a class instruction booklet and tools to take home. You will receive detailed instructions and a map via e-mail about a week before the class on where to meet and park at the cemetery." 

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 Click HERE to enroll in workshops of your choice.:  

 Beginner's Classes:

Saturday - May 16, 2020 - 10 to 3 - $30.00

 Saturday - August 15, 2020 - 10 to 3 - $30.00

Advanced Classes:

Saturday - June 20, 2020 - 10 to 3 - $50.00

Saturday, September 19, 2020 - 10 to 3 - $50.00

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  Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum in Dayton, Ohio has 113,092 memorials posted for in on "Find A Grave."

Mantua Township Historic Cemeteries Restoration Committee is hosting guest speaker Dr. Jarrod Burks - March 17 2020 - 7PM - at Mantua Township Town Hall -- HAS BEEN CANCELLED

This meeting has been cancelled.
😢😢
Sharing this announcement about an upcoming meeting with presentation by Dr. Jarrod Burks to the Mantua Township Historic Cemeteries Restoration Committee. 

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"All are welcome to join the group at 7 p.m. March 17, at Mantua Township Town Hall, 4122 Route 82, at the corner of Mantua Center Road and Route 82 on the Historic Mantua Center Green."

"Refreshments will be served."  

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The Mantua Center Cemetery on Find A Grave in Portage County, Ohio with 341 memorials.

"FIELD EXPERIENCE IN BIOARCHAEOLOGY IN OHIO - 2020 - HARRISON TOWNSHIP CHOLERA CEMETERY - PICKAWAY COUNTY - JUNE 1 - JULY 10

This is the third year that the Institute for Learning in Archaeology and Bioarchaeology will be conducting their excavation program at the Harrison Township Cholera Cemetery in Pickaway County, Ohio. 

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***PLEASE NOTE***:

April 30th, 2020 is the deadline to apply for enrollment in this program which begins on June 1st and extends through July 10, 2020.  

Applications can be completed online.:

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https://www.irlabnp.org/field-experience-application/

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"Please note that places in the program are assigned to successful students on a first come, first served basis; hence, it is advisable that you apply as soon as possible to increase your chances of being admitted.

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If you have any questions regarding the program, contact info@irlabnp.org prior to submitting an application form."