"Save Our Cemeteries" Workshop

Morning Program: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Location #1: Calvin K. Richards Community Center, 7000 Lockport Road, Town of Niagara, New York

9am - 10am   Registration with coffee/snacks-displays

10am - 10:45am Presentation “Uncovering the Past: Using Cemetery Records for Genealogy Research” by Lewiston Librarian/Genealogist, Michelle Kratts

Michelle Kratts is the local history librarian and genealogist at the Lewiston Public Library.She has written, edited or contributed to several books of local interest including: Niagara Falls in World War II, the Italians of Niagara Falls series and more.

10:45 - 11:00 a.m.  Break

11:00am - 11:30am   Presentation: “Importance of Volunteerism” by Hugh Golden, Business Manager of Lake View Cemetery Association, Jamestown, NY

11:30am - 12:00am   Presentation: “Cemeteries in New York State” by Michael Catena and Cynthia Craig, NYS Department of State, Division of Cemeteries

12:00pm-1pm    Lunch provided (Wegmans subs with chips and water)

Afternoon Program: 1:30 - 4:00 p.m.

Location #2: Witmer Cemetery, corner of Witmer Road and Pennsylvania Avenue, Town of Niagara, New York 

Special Note: Attendees wanting or needing seating during the cemetery portion of the program are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket.

1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.   Gather at Witmer Cemetery and divide into four groups for workshop sessions

1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.    Four Rotating Sessions

• Session #1:  Pete Ames/Jeff Manning will lead a tour of the cemetery to share results of restoration process there.
• Session #2:  Maureen Gleason shows the proper way to clean headstones.
• Session #3:  Nick Cornett from Cornell Cooperative talks about landscaping and combatting invasive species.
• Session #4:  Gary Strenkoski local masonry expert demonstrates headstone repair and resetting techniques.

Directions:

>> Click here for directions to both locations with annotated map.

Have questions? Call the event coordinator, Peter Ames, at 716-297-4429.