SUMMER SOIRÉE IN THE CEMETERY 2022
The public gathered on a late August afternoon to sip lemonade and listen to stories of bygone times to dig deep into local Guilford lore. Musicians floated about the grounds as children ran barefoot amongst the stones. History was a focal point as well as preservation of this bucolic cemetery by the historic Christ Church.
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PRESERVATION PROJECT
Here is good news about the Christ Church Cemetery at Route 5 and Melendy Hill Rd., where many of you have family members and loved ones buried.
The Board of Trustees of the Cemetery embarked on a preservation project under the expert work of Mark Spilman of Wilmington, Vermont. This work has included cleaning, repairing, and stabilizing many neglected gravestones, some of them dating back to the early 1700’s. Many new finds have been uncovered, and the overall aesthetics of the cemetery has vastly improved. There are many other similar tangible benefits to his work, not just the overall aesthetics. The historical value to our town by his work is vast! For example, he found small markers which were completely covered over with grass and virtually lost; Mark replaced them to their base and cemented them in. He also uncovered other previously obscured information that displayed important local history. For example, there was a stone which he cleaned which states ”first white child born in Guilford”. Died circa 1868 at age 87, so they must have been born in approximately 1781. Had anyone noticed this before?
This opportunity to fix old, neglected stones for everyone's benefit came along at an opportune moment in time. We were lucky to have a competent and trusted person on hand to do the preservations – so despite the costs, we took the opportunity, as current caretakers with a responsibility to future generations. Mark completed one more section of the cemetery in the spring of 2021. We invite you to visit the cemetery and look around where some of Mr. Spilman’s work is apparent.
This past year we also updated our regulations to include the option for Green Burial, to bring our options in line with a growing movement, and in line with the State of Vermont cemetery laws which now include this option. We also have begun a collaboration with the Guilford Cemetery Commission, so that we may learn from each other’s experiences in care-taking of cemeteries in Guilford, and continue to shine a light on the beauty and historical significance of the Christ Church Cemetery.
This work has taken effort and resources. We write not only to inform you of these improvements, but also to ask for your help. The Board is small, but we could benefit with more engaged people who have an interest to guide the future of the Christ Church Cemetery. The time commitment is minimal – one or two meetings per year and periodic communications in between – yet there is great satisfaction in helping to make decisions to ensure the continuity of this treasured cemetery.
Further, we ask you to help with a donation to the Christ Church Cemetery. As you know, the cemetery is a non-profit organization, and entirely volunteer-driven. Any contribution, large or small, will help to defray the costs of this year’s outlays and future improvements. Contact us here.
Christ Church Cemetery Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees of the Cemetery embarked on a preservation project under the expert work of Mark Spilman of Wilmington, Vermont. This work has included cleaning, repairing, and stabilizing many neglected gravestones, some of them dating back to the early 1700’s. Many new finds have been uncovered, and the overall aesthetics of the cemetery has vastly improved. There are many other similar tangible benefits to his work, not just the overall aesthetics. The historical value to our town by his work is vast! For example, he found small markers which were completely covered over with grass and virtually lost; Mark replaced them to their base and cemented them in. He also uncovered other previously obscured information that displayed important local history. For example, there was a stone which he cleaned which states ”first white child born in Guilford”. Died circa 1868 at age 87, so they must have been born in approximately 1781. Had anyone noticed this before?
This opportunity to fix old, neglected stones for everyone's benefit came along at an opportune moment in time. We were lucky to have a competent and trusted person on hand to do the preservations – so despite the costs, we took the opportunity, as current caretakers with a responsibility to future generations. Mark completed one more section of the cemetery in the spring of 2021. We invite you to visit the cemetery and look around where some of Mr. Spilman’s work is apparent.
This past year we also updated our regulations to include the option for Green Burial, to bring our options in line with a growing movement, and in line with the State of Vermont cemetery laws which now include this option. We also have begun a collaboration with the Guilford Cemetery Commission, so that we may learn from each other’s experiences in care-taking of cemeteries in Guilford, and continue to shine a light on the beauty and historical significance of the Christ Church Cemetery.
This work has taken effort and resources. We write not only to inform you of these improvements, but also to ask for your help. The Board is small, but we could benefit with more engaged people who have an interest to guide the future of the Christ Church Cemetery. The time commitment is minimal – one or two meetings per year and periodic communications in between – yet there is great satisfaction in helping to make decisions to ensure the continuity of this treasured cemetery.
Further, we ask you to help with a donation to the Christ Church Cemetery. As you know, the cemetery is a non-profit organization, and entirely volunteer-driven. Any contribution, large or small, will help to defray the costs of this year’s outlays and future improvements. Contact us here.
Christ Church Cemetery Board of Trustees