Just dying to get in? The Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Club met on August 10, 2020 at the Old Baptist Cemetery on Maple Ave. in Garrettsville, as Tim Foor of Hallowed Ground Cemetery Preservation presented a Zoomed program about this historic location and the work he is doing there.
Much of the neglect found in cemeteries everywhere is rooted in budgetary concerns in towns, townships and cities. Also, the saying, “out of sight, out of mind” frequently kicks in, especially in cases where the burial grounds are off the beaten path or so parklike as to be taken for wild lands. Much history resides in these locations and much is in danger of being lost or misunderstood at the local, state and national level. Someone interested in getting involved in restoration efforts might check Facebook–Preserving Ohio Cemeteries (or some variation of). Roger and Connie Angel have been spearheading restoration efforts at this antique and scenic Garrettsville feature; Roger gave many interesting background facts about the project as the assembled
Rotarians and guests explored the area. One example was the partially restored ironwork on the smaller of the two mausoleums, done by a local blacksmith. A possible source of further restoration had local connection uncovered at this event. Photos were taken and zoomed, techniques and tools were shown, stones were examined (earliest : Josiah Garrett, son of John and Eleanor Garrett, founders of the mill and the village), one stone even got a needed beginning at leveling. Excellent program, thanks to Jim Irwin for the arrangements.
