Cemetery Revival seeking more clean-up projects

PLATTSBURGH | Cemetery Revival members recently gathered at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to discuss this year's main goal: restoring as many local forgotten burial sites as possible in light of the United States' Semiquincentennial. Following that meeting, several letters were sent to superintendents throughout both Clinton and Essex counties to introduce themselves and their mission, and to see whether anyone would be interested in requesting their services. Cemetery Revival currently offers a comprehensive range of gravestone cleaning and repair services, whether that be a gentle cleaning, meticulous repairs, or complete restoration. They use long-term preservation strategies to protect gravestones from future damage and deterioration. Cemetery Revival was founded last year through a shared interest in family history among five individuals. Jackie Stewart's work of cleaning veterans' gravestones inspired the group, and the FamilySearch Center (located within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) was in the midst of seeking out a new community project. Since its formation, the volunteer group, now comprising about 10 individuals, has not only helped restore 50 gravestones in Fairview Cemetery in Au Sable Forks but also taken on the responsibility of bringing the Old Burial Ground in Keeseville back to life. Dating back to 1889, the graveyard, which has been abandoned since 2009, contains 208 plots, but it was originally hard to tell because it had become overgrown with grass, poison ivy, shrubs, and trees. The volunteers appointed Banjo Acres, a farm based in Malone that offers goat and sheep grazing for land management, to help clear the land, which allowed the volunteers to get in to clean, secure, and restore the stones. "When we first went to look at it, the cemetery was a complete jungle," said Janne Lanzoni, one of Cemetery Revival's founding members. "Now, the underbush is pretty much all gone, and a lot of the overgrown trees and other tall ornamentals have been removed." Unfortunately, the dedicated team of volunteers ultimately had to stop due to the overwhelming amount of poison ivy left behind. A professional needs to be hired to remove the poison ivy before they go back in to finish the clean-up fully, which they hope to do sometime before July 4, 2026, which marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This year, the U.S. will mark an extraordinary milestone: 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. In honor of this important milestone, communities across the country will come together to celebrate, including several in New York. Throughout the state, historic sites, museums, battlefields, and attractions will be finding ways to celebrate this historic milestone. And for Cemetery Revival, the perfect way to commemorate this important day in history is to honor those who once served and fought for the country. "Cemetery Revival is a personal project born out of a passion for history and preservation. [...] We are committed to providing respectful and reliable gravestone cleaning and [...] repair services," as stated on its website. "Our approach is rooted in care and attention to detail, ensuring that every memorial is treated with the utmost respect." In addition to searching for new cleanup projects, Cemetery Revival is seeking to raise $3,000 to purchase a lift and hoist system, along with the materials needed to enable volunteers to safely repair and restore gravestones. Also, Cemetery Revival is currently seeking a cemetery partner in either Clinton County or Essex County to host a hands-on Gravestone Cleaning Class on April 25 as part of the 3rd annual Caring for Your Cemetery Day. The event will not only teach volunteers safe gravestone cleaning, but also how to help care for a local cemetery and preserve local history. "Each gravestone tells a story," as stated on the website. "At Cemetery Revival, we believe in preserving these stories for generations to come." To make a donation, visit zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/raise-the-stones-preserve-the-stories. For more information, visit cemetery-revival.org or check them out on Facebook.

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Cemetery Revival seeking more clean-up projects

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