H & P Page 7
Wood County Historical and Preservation Society
Looking Over Our Cemeteries
While the mission of the WCHPS isn't limited to any one aspect of preservation, cemetery preservation has become a focus of our group; there probably isn't a part of our past that is in such dire need of attention as our cemeteries.
Our "adopted" cemeteries, Holliday, Tavenner and Dils, are all being maintained by mowing weekly and trimming every other mowing or as required.
At Tavenner, we are in the process of "reviving" the Tavenner Cemetery Association, after which, we hope to build new steps into the grounds.
For Memorial Day, Barbara Radiker helped place American flags on graves at Tavenner and Holliday Cemeteries.
Thanks are hereby extended to Ron Moncrief, Rodney King and Stacey Warner for their help with trimming at our "adopted" cemeteries; any and all help is greatly appreciated.
Nick Martin, Eagle Scout candidate of Boy Scout Troop #95, recently completed a project which involved resetting tombstones and clearing growth from the Way Cemetery. This "top-of-theknoll" cemetery is located behind Scott's Landscaping at Central, as you leave Vienna, going north.
Eagle Scout Candidate Resets Stones
parkgaz.com
Never heard of it? Those who are interested in early Parkersburg history are in for a treat! This new web site, created by Jeff and Christy Little is focusing attention on Parkersburg's pioneer cemeteries and details of those who are interred in them.
The site offers a brief history of the cemetery, location, and a photo of the stones, if they exist.
They also list the sources from which their information
was found. by searching courthouse records and newspaper
obituaries, they have found that most old readings are far from complete.
While the site is still "under construction", Jeff and Christy have created something that is very nice and from which genealogists will benefit.
Check it out. It's easy. Just go to Google search and type in "parkgaz" It will take you to "Parkersburg Nostalgic Gazette ". You'll be but a key-stroke away from cemetery nostalgia.
The following excerpts, penned circa 1880's by local historian Alviro F. Gibbons, would be as appropriate today as they were 130 years ago:
"...Strange as it may seem, many of these private, village and rural burial grounds are unintentionally neglected and allowed to become matted -with briers, vines and underbrush, so that a visit to them discloses a neglect apparently inexcusable.
Our people are not unmindful, in their hearts, of the gratitude they owe to those who have preceded them in generations vanished, but the whirl of the present era and other difficulties have obscured this portion of their sky. A pioneer son, who perhaps may be as guilty as others, would blow away some of the haze. ..."
The only thing that has really changed since this was written, is that today we have wonderfully developed tools that should make maintaining these sacred grounds much easier. It just takes the DESIRE and a bit of TIME!
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