Look for coming improvements at the historic cemetery
By W. John Funk
President, Stewards of the Western Cemetery, Inc
Spring has arrived! The Stewards of the Western Cemetery, Inc. is looking forward to renewing activities at the Western Cemetery. We’ll be busy with gravestone cleaning and restoration, maintaining the grounds, removing invasive species, continuing burial research, and conducting tours.
Beginning in May (or earlier if weather cooperates) we will have our Saturday morning work sessions for volunteers. Tours will be held on Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m. Please go to our website www.westerncemetery.me to keep abreast of our news.
Following up on an article in the February edition of The West End News, we received final notification from the National Parks Service. As of March 17th, the Western Cemetery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Over the winter, we continued to make progress on our Capital Campaign. As of March 23rd, donations total over $214,000, substantially all from individuals who reside in our community. We need less than $36,000 to meet our goal of $250,000!
The funds donated from the campaign are now being committed to make the improvements to the cemetery.
Our tool shed and related water service are under contract, and we expect to have them installed in 2025. Also, we are working with the City of Portland to issue a RFP to extend the fence along the Western Prom. If possible, we hope to erect the fence in 2025 as well. Part of the project will include repair to damaged fence sections on Vaughan Street across from Spring Street. The damage is from two recent vehicle crashes. One vehicle also struck a tree in the cemetery. No monuments were damaged.
In addition, we are seeking to install railing on the steps leading to the Western Prom on the southwest side of the cemetery. Finally, we have contracted to refurbish and install the historic wrought-iron section of the fence on the upper southwest side.
We would greatly appreciate your continued help to reach our Capital Campaign goal and cover our annual operating budget of $12,000. You may contribute funds by sending to our mailing address at 622 Congress Street, Suite 9998 #5267, Portland, ME 04101. Or contribute through our website. We are an IRC 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Our vision is to restore the Western Cemetery to its rightful place as a source of pride for the city. We hope you will visit the cemetery regularly to enjoy its serene environment and historic character.
