Historic Cemetery Committee
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Current Members: Julie Fernald, Chair (2025) Joan Terry (2025) Katharine Walton (2025) Aimee Williams (2025) David Scull (2025) |
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Overseen Cemeteries: Clark Cemetery Evergreen Cemetery King Cemetery Newman Cemetery Dolliver Family Burial Ground Gilley Cemetery Lurvey Cemetery Union Cemetery Dolliver Grave High Road Burial Ground Moore Cemetery |
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Committee Responsibilities:
The Southwest Harbor Historic Cemetery Committee (appointed by the Selectmen, July 2016) is charged with fostering the protection, preservation, and appreciation of the community historic burying grounds. There are eleven known cemeteries (possibly more) in the town of Southwest Harbor. These cemeteries are abandoned and neglected and the focus of our restoration and preservation efforts. See the list above for currently overseen cemeteries. (Mount Height Cemetery has its own association and is not overseen by this committee.) Objectives: Documentation, Preservation, and Education The objectives of the committee are to protect and preserve the community cemeteries, including historic character, integrity and significance; open space and landscape management; conservation of historic grave markers and other structural elements; education and public involvement. If you know of other old cemeteries or grave sites in Southwest Harbor not listed or if you are interested in attending a meeting or joining the committee, please call committee member Kathe Walton at 207-244-5560. |
Scope of Work:
•Develop a master plan for implementing objectives. •Identify cemetery trust funds available for care and preservation of historic cemeteries. •Reach out to abutters, neighbors, family associations, community businesses and organizations, etc., to make donations toward cemetery restoration and maintenance. •Create a program for ongoing maintenance, gravestone repair and conservation, and public awareness. •Conduct a survey of the town’s historic cemeteries. •Consider applying for State/National Historic Register designation for the cemeteries. •Use survey information to update town records and planning maps. •Propose protective regulations and guidelines for new construction and gravel removal on land that includes historic cemeteries. •Encourage the town to provide for a responsible gravestone repair and conservation program. •Establish guidelines for cataloging monuments and fragments. •Design and install a model sign system. |