Sharing photos from the August 11, 2021 work session at the Old Burying Ground - Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio

 On August 11, 2021, the Greenfield Historical Society volunteers in historic Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio, once again completed another work session at the Old Burying Ground that is adjacent to the stunning stone structure known as the Travellers Rest. Both are situated along the West bank of the Paint Creek that separates Highland County from Ross County in that area. 

Thanking John King of the Greenfield Historical Society who so kindly shared the first four photos below from this August 11, 2021 session.  

We see fellow volunteer, Michael Lee Anderson, in two of the photos. Michael Lee has been a steady volunteer for several years now assisting with the various tasks at hand at these ongoing work sessions at this scenic pioneer cemetery.  

Below are two photographs from Michael Lee Anderson who also shared with permission.  They are before and after views. We can see the improved differences in the after view showing the cleaning and re-setting of the markers and the completely repaired and reset obelisk.:

The before view below of the front row includes the broken obelisk that was lying in pieces on the ground at the distant end of it. This photograph was taken during the work session in July, 2021.  

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The after preservation work view is shown in the photograph below.  

Per Michael Lee, the ground around the obelisk had been leveled and seeded in July by Michael Lee, Scott, and John, so that the grass will start to grow around it to help keep the monument in place. Afterward, Scott Andersen re-set the broken pieces of the obelisk onto its base.  

Thus, the work continues toward achieving the ultimate goal of totally preserving and protecting the Old Burying Ground in Greenfield. 

As we can see, another successful step was taken on August 11, 2021 toward accomplishing it.  

Sharing side-by-side before repairs and after repairs photos of the Henry Wilson Irwin Family markers at the Old Burying Ground in Greenfield, Ohio courtesy of Scott Andersen

It is my pleasure to share these side-by-side photographs taken by Scott Andersen on August 22, 2019 of the row of Henry Wilson Irwin family grave markers at the Old Burying Ground in Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio.  

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Another step in this process remains to be completed for these grave markers.  That is cleaning them with D/2 Biological Solution.

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All of this restoration progress for these nine grave markers was made possible through the efforts of Greenfield Historical Society volunteers, Scott Andersen, John King, and Michael Lee Anderson who largely handle the repairs and re-settings of grave markers; as well as the heavy lifting for the larger monuments at the Old Burying Ground. 

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One of Greenfield's most notable native sons and decorated Naval hero was Rear Admiral Noble Edward Irwin.  

His parents were Henry Wilson Irwin and his fourth wife, Lavinia Ann "Lavina" Rogers Irwin.  

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"Rear Admiral Irwin graduated from the United States Naval Academy in June 1891. He was wounded in action on May 1, 1898 while aboard the USS Baltimore at the Battle of Manila Bay. Admiral Irwin was awarded the Navy Cross for meritorious service as director of Naval Aviation during WWI. 
The U.S. Destroyer, the USS Irwin, was named in his honor."

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The Greenfield Historical Society's tribute to Rear Admiral Noble Edward Irwin 

REMINDER: Thursday, August 22, 2019 - Volunteer work session at the Old Burying Ground in Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio

The Greenfield Historical Society of Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio is making great strides in 2019 during their sixth year of volunteer work preserving and restoring their village's Old Burying Ground; often referred to as the "OBG"!

Mr. John King is the contact person at jfking@earthlink.net. :

"Please join other volunteers as we continue to make improvements to the Old Burial Ground. We'll start at 8:00 a.m. and work as long as we have the energy. Come help and stay as long as you can."
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**You can always check the calendar section for upcoming events at the Greenfield Historical Society where the cemetery preservation/restoration work sessions are posted.:http://www.greenfieldhistoricalsociety.org/ghs-Calendar.html#aug  

So many historical society volunteers like John King, Scott Andersen, and Venus Andersen -- all who are leaders who have volunteered every year; and long time volunteers like Michael Lee Anderson, Jackie Doles, and Gloria Losey, who have been contributing in various ways for several years;  they all are to be congratulated for their efforts that have greatly improved the condition of the gravestones and the gravesites as well.  

These stalwart volunteers welcome serious and like-minded folks to join them as they continue with their work.  

The Greenfield Historical Society has two Old Burying Ground work sessions scheduled in August - August 12 and August 22 - starting at 8:00 a.m.

 

The Greenfield Historical Society has announced their two upcoming August work sessions at the village's historic Old Burying Ground (affectionately called the "OBG"!):

 Monday, August 12th, and Thursday, August 22nd.  
Both work sessions begin at 8:00a.m. and the work will continue to "whenever"; as the weather can dictate!!!  

 Photo above courtesy of:

 Scott Andersen - Team Leader

Volunteers standing left to right:

John King, Jackie Doles, 

and Michael Lee Anderson

Photo above courtesy of:
Michael Lee Anderson

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The Old Burying Ground is included on the website: "Find A Grave" with 802 interments.  It is 84% photographed.  There are currently 14 outstanding photo requests for gravestone photos at the "OBG."

Map for the Old Burying Ground as shown on "Find A Grave."

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"How Can YOU Help?"

"Join us for an upcoming volunteer session. 

You can stay as long as you like. 

We will help you get started if you have not participated previously. 

Tasks range from cleaning stones, straightening stones, recording information, etc. 

We post our scheduled sessions on the GHS website calendar and through communications such as this email.: jfking@earthlink.net
**If you are unable to attend a session and still want to help, donations are always welcome as we do have to purchase gravel and other supplies for cleaning and repairing the gravestones. 

Donations can be made payable to the Greenfield Historical Society and include a note that it is for the cemetery project. Thanks for the support."

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Spotlighting the July 15 2019 Old Burying Ground work session - Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio

Volunteers continued their work this morning, July 15, 2019, at the Old Burying Ground in Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio. 

John King, of the Greenfield Historical Society, who is among the chief volunteers who has been steadily working at the "OBG" since 2014, also uploads photographs taken during the work sessions onto the "Past Events" Page of the society's website.  

There are several links to the Greenfield Historical Society's Pages here on the left side bar of this blog.  

 

Be sure to check out the calendar to learn when the next work session is scheduled if you are planning to join the volunteers!

  Scott Andersen, Venus Andersen, John King, and Michael Lee Anderson were working today until noon as the temperatures soared higher during the afternoon.  Jackie Doles and Gloria Losey are also long-time volunteers.  

This group of hearty volunteers from the Greenfield Historical Society, and all who have assisted them at various work sessions since they started this preservation project in 2014, have been totally transforming the entire cemetery one grave marker at a time.  After almost six years of work, their improvements are quite apparent all across the landscape of this early Ohio burial ground!

Halloween was more than Ghosts & Goblins in Greenfield! Recapping the October 31st Old Burying Ground work session

John King and Scott Andersen were undaunted by the threat of rain on the last day of October, 2018 to proceed and conduct a work session where over a dozen gravestones were repaired and restored by them. 

Below are 'sneak peek' photos which illustrate the type of  preservation work that John and Scott, and other volunteers from the Greenfield Historical Society, have undertaken throughout their 5-year total restoration project of Greenfield Ohio's earliest burial ground.  

The historic cemetery is adjacent to the historic Travellers Rest. 

 

Above composite photo courtesy of the 

Greenfield Historical Society

October 31, 2018 work session

Old Burying Ground - Greenfield

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From the Greenfield Historical Society's web page

for the October 31, 2018 "OBG" work session:

"Volunteer Session - October 31, 2018"

"Halloween turned out to be another productive morning at the OBG. Although it looked like rain would drown us out, we managed to work on over a dozen stones before quitting just minutes before rains came. 

Scott Andersen and John King leveled and straightened tombstones and planned for the next area to address in the cemetery. Venus Andersen stopped by to offer encouragement and bring us soft drinks. This might have been the last session for the year, but maybe with a break in weather later in November or December we might be able to do some more work in 2018. This was probably one of the more productive years at the cemetery! 

Many thanks to ALL the volunteers who help throughout the years making this a very successful project."

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Old Burying Ground Restoration Project  

Photos below from the June 9th, 2018

Old Burying Ground Work Session:

 Above - Left to Right:  

John King, Jackie Doles, 

and Michael Lee Anderson

June 9, 2018

Photo belong is a scene from

the June 9, 2018 work session

Check out the Past Events Page

for "OBG Preservation" to

view the Recaps and photos 

of each of the work sessions

at the Old Burying Ground

since 2014! 

Be sure and check out!:

The Old Burying Ground in Greenfield

on "Find A Grave"

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25 new memorials have been added

by Scott Andersen in the last 30 days

at the Old Burying Ground

many with grave marker photos!

Total burials at the "OBG" on "Find A Grave"

now at 801!!!   

October 31st, 2018 will be more than Halloween this year in Greenfield, Ohio - It will be another cemetery preservation work session at the Old Burying Ground!

 

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****The Greenfield Historical Society's Volunteer Form***

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"Volunteer Session - October 21, 2018"

"It's amazing what a difference a few dedicated volunteers can make! Beginning at 8 a.m. again (although we soon began to rethink that decision), Scott Andersen, John King, Jackie Doles, and Mike Anderson were successful in repairing and straightening/leveling some very large and heavy headstones. Venus Andersen also stopped by to offer encouragement, but due to the cold temperatures did not do any cleaning of tombstones. 

Many thanks to ALL the volunteers who help throughout the years making this a very successful project.

More sessions will be planned for the future to continue this massive effort. If you would like to participate, check our website calendar for the next scheduled session."

 Sharing a few photos below of the Old Burying Ground in Greenfield -- often called "OBG" by the volunteers who spend a great deal of time there because the transformative restoration work they are doing is now in its fifth year!  

The Greenfield Historical Society volunteers are always happy when earnest and eager folks join them as volunteers to help clean, repair, and reset grave markers and monuments.  

So, please keep that in mind!  

While the old adage of "A picture is worth a thousand words" is true; but to fully savor the scope of the amazing progress made by these dedicated volunteers, the photos themselves can be best considered as a good lead-up to being at the Old Burying Ground and enjoying the remarkable view in person -- seeing an early Ohio cemetery that has regained its respect, dignity, and rightful standing as one of Greenfield's crowning jewels.  It just doesn't get any better than that!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark your calendars for Sunday, October 21, 2018 for the next Old Burying Ground work session - Beginning at 8:00a.m. in Greenfield, Ohio

The Greenfield Historical Society just announced the date for their next work session (labor of love session!) at the Old Burying Ground, and it will be Sunday, October 21, 2018 beginning at 8:00a.m. 

Check out the Calendar for these announcements as well. 

OCTOBER
3	Old Burial Ground next to Travellers Rest	"Please join other volunteers as we continue to make improvements to the Old Burial Ground. We'll start at 8 a.m. and work as long as we have the energy. Come help and stay as long as you can."

 

Browse through Past Events to learn more about the progress made in each session.

Spotlighting the September 30, 2018 Old Burying Ground Work Session with photographs from regular volunteer, Jacquelyn Doles

It is my pleasure to share these wonderful photographs below taken by Jacquelyn Doles, one of Greenfield Historical Society's regular work session volunteers, who has participated in many of these hands-on cemetery preservation events at the Old Burying Ground over the past five years.  Her photographs were taken during the work process of the September 30, 2018 work session. 

Additional photographs can be seen from the September 30, 2018 work session on the Greenfield Historical Society's website posted on their "Past Events" section under the "Look Back" tab at the top of the main page.   

It is such a treat to see these photographs that "Jackie" Doles has shared.  She has cleaned several grave markers over the past five years, and she has been a regular participant along with Scott Andersen, Venus Andersen, John King, and Michael Lee Anderson who are the mainstays of this all-volunteer group.  They are steadily progressing with their total restoration and preservation of the Old Burying Ground (affectionately known as the "OBG" by the volunteers) which is adjacent to the Travellers Rest in Greenfield, Ohio.  

Check out the Greenfield Historical Society on Facebook!

 

(Below)

from Jacqueline Doles:

"The Moon family stones all line up neatly in a 

row like good little soldiers. 

Need a little scrubbing and they will be great."

  

 

 

(Below)

from Jacquelyn Doles:

These stones were broken when the big tree fell during a storm. We are not sure if the tree has any hidden surprises

(stones swallowed during its growth. Lots of stacked stones around its base, however, as is the case in many cemeteries.

 

 

 

 

The Old Burying Ground on "Find A Grave"