OPRD release – SALEM, Oregon – Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries (OCHC) has awarded $63,700 in grants to 19 historic cemetery projects throughout the state. The funds will help support preservation efforts, repair work and visitor education. Individual award amounts ranged from $1,439-$6,544. Funded projects: Marker repair at the Aurora Community Cemetery in Marion County. Marker repair and interpretation at the Goodrich/Warren Cemetery in Yamhill County. Monument repair and cleaning at the Zion Memorial Cemetery in Canby. Marker repair at the Jefferson Historic Cemetery in Marion County. Tree removal at the IOOF Eastwood Cemetery in Medford. Clatsop Community College Historic Preservation program will offer training in marker assessment and repair and research the history of the Oceanview Cemetery in Astoria. Repair markers, install memorials on unmarked graves and install a bilingual interpretive sign at the Fern Hill Catholic Cemetery in Yamhill County. Fence the Fort Harney Cemetery in Harney County to discourage cattle. Clean and repair headstones at the Hubbard Cemetery. Repair headstones and trim trees at the IOOF West Point #62 Cemetery in Lane County. Provide a volunteer training and complete marker cleaning at the Laurel Grove Cemetery in Lane County. Correct and replace temporary markers in the Logtown Cemetery in Jackson County. Repair markers in the Sterlingville Cemetery in Jackson County. Complete repair of vandalized monuments in the Lafayette Cemetery in Yamhill County. Remove and trim trees at the Phoenix Pioneer Cemetery. Install a fence at the Butte Falls Cemetery. Gravel the road, install markers for unmarked graves, create an interpretive sign, and install a flagpole at the Westfall Cemetery in Malheur County. Remove trees at the Tygh Valley Pioneer Cemetery in Wasco County. Historic cemeteries are documented by OCHC and must include the burial of at least one person who died 75 years before the current date. The historic cemetery grant program is offered annually by the OCHC, part of the Oregon Heritage Program at Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). The grant program is supported by lottery and other funds. OCHC maintains a list of all pioneer and historic cemeteries in the state. The seven-member appointed commission helps people and organizations document, preserve and promote designated historic cemeteries statewide. For more information about the grant program or the OCHC, visit www.oregonheritage.org or contact Kuri Gill at Kuri.gill@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-986-0685.
