Exploring Almost Forgotten Gravesites in the Great State of Ohio

Dedicated to cemetery preservation in the great state of Ohio


"A cemetery may be considered as abandoned when all or practically all of the bodies have been Removed therefrom and no bodies have been buried therein for a great many years, and the cemetery has been so long neglected as entirely to lose its identity as such, and is no longer known, recognized and respected by the public as a cemetery. 1953 OAG 2978."

Showing posts with label Hallowed Ground Cemetery Preservation LLC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hallowed Ground Cemetery Preservation LLC. Show all posts

Sunday, April 9, 2023

Happy Easter & Spring Cemetery Preservation Workshops are beginning! - May 20th & May 21st, 2023 - Canfield - Mahoning County - Old North Cemetery and Ellsworth Cemetery

Easter is here this Sunday, April 9th, 2023, and soon afterward a Season of Spring Cemetery Preservation Workshops will start in earnest in Ohio stretching through the months of Summer and early Autumn. 

From all indications of recent Spring to Fall seasons, cemetery preservation workshops have become increasingly popular among those who seek to learn more about taking clearer photographs of grave marker inscriptions to probing for buried markers and more.  Advancing to properly cleaning, repairing, and resetting a variety grave markers and monuments from ground supported tablets to those in slotted bases all the way up to re-erecting multi-piece monuments, including obelisks.  

The learning may mean taking a one-day class at a cemetery to attending a multi-day presentation to gain a better sense of what it takes to actually accomplish the Do No Harm Methods as put forth by the NCPTT / National Center for Preservation Technology and Training of the NPS / National Park Service.  

Some have pursued learning this work and turned it into a part-time or even full-time business working in Ohio and beyond the Buckeye State's borders. 

Cemetery preservation is a pursuit that has come unto its own akin to the rise in popularity of learning more about your DNA results as a natural follow-up to years of conducting genealogical research.  

So it is that Ohio is seeing more cemetery preservation workshops during the fair weather seasons.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 

In May, 2023 -- May 20th and May 21st in Canfield, Mahoning County a workshop is being planned that will feature Tim Foor of  Hallowed Ground Cemetery Preservation LLC as the instructor. 

More details will be posted here soon in an upcoming separate post.   

Sunday, July 3, 2022

From the Warren (Ohio) Tribune Chronicle: "Society Restores Obelisks" by Bob Coupland

Sharing from the Warren Tribune Chronicle this full coverage story explaining how a smaller size historical society, the Vienna Historical Society, and its President, Christine Novicky, led the tireless preservation project to properly repair and reset the larger size obelisk type monuments; and thus accomplish their goal to restore the entire Vienna Township Cemetery (AKA Vienna Memorial Cemetery)  

You can also check out the Vienna Historical Society's "Viennapedia's Save a Grave Campaign to learn more or donate to their cause." 

**********

Tim Foor and his son, Michael Foor, of Hallowed Ground Cemetery Preservation LLC were hired for the work. 

See below the photo collage of steps taken to repair and reset the Bartholomew obelisk at the Vienna Township Cemetery.: 

**********
This is another example of win-win outcomes benefitting all concerned.
 The preservation efforts enable the cemetery to continue as a resource to respect in the community and one everyone can be proud of and support.  
******
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Friday, July 1, 2022

Sharing from "The Portager" - Portage County, Ohio - "Rootstown cemetery restoration underway, with obelisk secured and more work planned" - by Jeremy Brown - July 1, 2022

 Excerpt from story.:

The Rootstown Township Trustees and the Rootstown Old Cemetery Committee sponsored a two-day cemetery workshop June 17-18, kicking off an ongoing tombstone marker process for “The Old Cemetery” on Tallmadge Road. 

The workshop featured cemetery restoration specialist Tim Foor, from Ashley, Ohio, who has helped townships restore cemeteries in locations as far away as Charleston, South Carolina. 

During the workshop, Foor educated trustees, committee members and other participants about the process of tombstone restoration. He also shared his knowledge regarding the history of old cemeteries and gravestones and the vivid record of community history that they hold. More than 20 participants attended the event over the course of both days.  

Restoring the grave markers at what was formerly known as “Ye Olde Cemetery” has been in the plans for a while, Rootstown Historical Society Trustee Don Boyle said, but acquiring the resources to undertake such a project has been a challenge."

~*~*~*~*~*~

Here is a link to the Facebook Page of "Rootstown OH Old Cemetery Restoration Project"

~*~*~*~*~*~

Here is a link to "The Old Cemetery" in Rootstown as it currently appears on Find A Grave

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Spotlighting the recent complex repair and restoration of the Thomas and Mary Iiams obelisk monument at the West Point Cemetery, Congress Township, Morrow County, Ohio

Please Note:
First and most importantly, it cannot be stressed enough that because this was a complex repair and restoration of a tall obelisk that was broken in two heavy large pieces, this type of work should only be attempted and undertaken by a licensed and insured professional working in the field who has undergone training and has had experience conducting this type of work in the same or similar setting.
  *~*~*~*~*~*~*
The photographs below are being shared courtesy of Tim Foor of Hallowed Ground Cemetery Preservation LLC who was hired for this project.  
Tim, with assistance from his son, completed the needed repair and restoration process.
The photographs were taken during the stages of this complex repair of the monument for Thomas James Iiams and his wife, Mary Polly Hardesty Iiams.  
As can be seen in the series of photographs, the obelisk had been lying on the ground in two large pieces.  
The Iiams gravesite and family plot is at the West Point Cemetery in Congress Township, Morrow County, Ohio. 
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 
 
 

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Saturday, August 15, 2020

Sharing the latest about the preservation progress at the Old Baptist Cemetery in Garrettsville, Portage County, Ohio

Sharing this news story by Iva Walker of the "Weekly Villager" that was published online on August 14, 2020.  The publication covers events in and around Garrettsville. 
The story comes titled:  
To our pleasant surprise the content is about the ongoing restoration and preservation work being done at the Old Baptist Cemetery in Garrettsville.
Tim Foor of Hallowed Ground Cemetery Preservation presented an on-site Zoom program to the visiting members.  
Below is one example of the type of work completed by Tim.:
All photos by Tim Foor:
 
Below is Eleanor Jones Garretts' marker 
straightened, reset, and cleaned.
This is the second year for the preservation work at the Old Baptist Cemetery in Garrettsville.  
We look forward to further updates about the progress being made with this larger project that has received a tremendous amount of local interest and support.  
A correction and further information pertaining to a statement included in this story.:
Quoting.: 
"Someone interested in getting involved in restoration efforts might check Facebook–Preserving Ohio Cemeteries (or some variation of)."
The correct name of the (Closed/Private) Facebook Group is Preserving Ohio's Cemeteries.  
The group was created in 2013 and has grown to currently 1,418 members. 
Potential members need to answer membership questions when requesting to join.  
Only members can contribute and read/view content in the group.
Adding that the group has serious preservation minded members at all levels. We feel that sharing is learning.  
The focus is primarily on Ohio and the content covers topics ranging from how the Ohio Revised Codes affect cemeteries to hands-on cemetery preservation workshops, cemetery and grave marker photographs, members helping members with questions, and a great group of welcomers who extend their own personal greetings to each new member!  

Sunday, May 3, 2020

Thanking Tim Foor of Hallowed Ground Cemetery Preservation LLC for locating the H. D. Gowey (Hartland Duportal Gowey) grave marker at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Delaware, Delaware County, Ohio

 Tim Foor, is a well known leading advocate for active but abandoned cemeteries in Ohio.  
Tim's qualifications for this role come from his personal experiences dealing with long-standing problems that have befallen Fairview Memorial Park in Delaware County
Tim started the "Cemetery Advocacy" Facebook Group offering support and updated information to help those impacted by the ongoing issues still affecting this once tranquil 20th Century cemetery.
  
 More recently, Tim has been conducting hands-on cemetery and grave marker preservation and restoration work at inactive cemeteries.  
His company is:
 Hallowed Ground Cemetery Preservation LLC.
Hallowed Ground Cemetery Preservation LLC on Facebook
One aspect of cemetery preservation is locating and unearthing grave markers long sunken out of sight.  
Tim has demonstrated his inherent ability to accomplish work of this nature quite well. 
Citing here one such example is his recent locating Hartland D. Gowey's obscured and partially buried grave marker at Oak Grove Cemetery in Delaware.
~*~*~*~*~*~
(Photos below courtesy of Tim Foor)
  

The overbearing Yucca plant had partially obscured the Hartland D. Gowey marker for an untold number of years - but not any longer!
My thanks to Tim for locating this marker! 

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Jonathan Appell Hands-On Cemetery Preservation Workshop - 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. - Saturday, June 22nd and Sunday, June 23, 2019 - North Fork Cemetery, Morrow County, Ohio

Announcing a free event upcoming hands-on cemetery preservation workshop for Saturday, June 22, and Sunday, June 23, 2019 - each day 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. conducted by nationally known professional gravestone conservator and preservation expert, Mr. Jonathan Appell
Location:  North Fork Cemetery (Also known as Blair CemeteryNorthfork CemeteryOwl Creek CemeteryOwl Creek Harmony Baptist Cemetery)

**Please see announcement below for further details**
*************
Ohio Contact for sign up information and questions:  


Phone # 419-210-4866 
Email:  tfoor28@yahoo.com
Facebook and website links for further information:
Jonathan Appell:

Jonathan Appell
Atlas Preservation
**
Websites:  
Gravestone Conservation
Gravestone Preservation

Atlas Preservation - Gravestone Conservation/Preservation Supplies
***********************
Tim Foor:

Facebook - Tim Foor

Hallowed Ground Cemetery Preservation, LLC
**
Morrow County Preservation Society