Moss and algae has grown on several of the gravestones. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
SOUTHWICK – Dating back to 1770, the Southwick Old Cemetery has plenty of rich history. In order to preserve that rich history, the Old Cemetery needs drastic maintenance. The last time maintenance was done was from 1975 to 1977.
Recently, an effort has been made to restore and preserve the Old Cemetery. Gene Theroux, who is heavily involved in local veteran’s organizations and knows a number of people who are laid to rest at the Old Cemetery, has taken the initiative and will lead the project.
“The Southwick Old Cemetery is not only a place of burial, but it provides a vivid record of community history,” said Theroux. “This cemetery is an important part of our town’s cultural landscape.”
According to Theroux, he began this process last October, logging thousands of hours at the Old Cemetery doing inventory, documenting, and cleaning monuments and headstones. With several grave markers damaged by trees or mowing equipment, or depleted over time, Theroux has taken close-up photographs of the markers in order to have record of the ones that need maintenance. Theroux acknowledged that the biggest threat to the Old Cemetery may be the overgrown trees, with many being diseased or dead.
Recently, Theroux met with the Southwick Cemetery Commission and gave them a presentation explaining the project and what needs to be accomplished. With assistance of the Friends of the Southwick Cemetery, the Select Board has been informed of the restoration and preservation of the Old Cemetery.
The Friends of the Southwick Cemetery is working with the Select Board to hold a town meeting in an effort to use CPA funds for the project. Throughout this process, the Select Board has approved two separate funds of $250 and $300 to help Theroux purchase a D/2 Biological Solution. The solution is a chemical product that will clean the headstones, footstones, and monuments in the cemetery. A quart of the biological solution will clean about four to six headstones that are 24 inches by 36 inches. Over time, moss and algae have grown on several of the gravestones and that needs to be cleaned off. Theroux added that he’s used some of the funds from the Select Board to purchase brushes, plastic scrapers, epoxy, mortar, lead spacing, and pigments for repairing some of the monuments.
In an attemp to improve the restoration and preservation efforts, Theroux is looking to have Ta Mara Conde assess the Old Cemetery. Conde, of Historic Gravestone Services in New Salem, Mass., is a professional stone conservator. Conde assisted the Friends of the Quabbin Park Cemetery in Ware, for their project in October of 2017.
Tree damage has been one issue with the Old Cemetery. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
Theroux is also actively seeking volunteers. Some of the tasks for volunteers include doing inventory of monuments, documentation on a master database on the computer, monument cleaning, headstone resetting, and other miscellaneous duties. If anyone is interested in volunteering, they can reach Theroux at 413-627-3475 or email him at [email protected].
Once word gets out Theroux is optimistic that the public will take part in restoring and preserving the Old Cemetery.
“Don’t we as citizens have the responsibility to protect the history and make sure they have their legacy going forward?” said Theroux.
While waiting to receive volunteers, Theroux will be getting help from a local non-profit organization. Joe Deedy of the Southwick Civic Fund will be accepting any donations for the project earmarked to the Old Cemetery. Donations can be mailed to the Southwick Civic Fund, 258 Feeding Hills Rd., Southwick, MA 01077. For more information, call 413-569-1700.
Theroux is also hoping that the completion of the project will be a part of the 250th anniversary of Southwick celebration. In April, the Select Board announced that they were looking to form a committee to work on the 250th anniversary project. In 2020, the town of Southwick will be celebrating their 250th anniversary of incorporation as a separate community on November 7, 1770.
