Gravestone Preservation & Restoration Information
to Help Promote Restoring Historic Cemeteries
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NewsUPDATE: Vandalism spurs action, rewardWritten by Angie Anaya Borgedalen A reward for information leading to the arrest of vandals responsible for heavily damaging dozens of tombstones in the oldest section of Fairview Cemetery has increased to $4,000. Maj. James Simpson of the Liberty Police Department said he anticipated that the reward would go higher since so many people were upset by the desecration. He said he had received several calls from people interested in donating reward money. “We’re hoping the reward will get someone off dead center,” Simpson said. “There’s a lot of community interest in this.” Simpson said the case remained under investigation, and he was confident that the culprits would eventually be caught. It is believed the vandalism occurred late June 19 or early June 20. Meanwhile, Jonna Wensel, community development manager, said Jonathan Appel, an expert on cemetery restoration, would be in Liberty for three days later this month. At workshops, Appel will teach those interested how to repair damaged headstones. Some grave markers damaged by the vandals date back to the 1800s. Because Appel is in Missouri holding workshops in Richmond and Springfield, Liberty was able to acquire his services at a reduced price, she said. “We still need to raise $600 to pay for the third day,” Wensel said. “The Clay County Archives is paying for two days.” The first workshop, which is open to the public, starts at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 21, at Mt. Memorial on the William Jewell College campus. “They’ll probably work until 3 or 4 with a break for lunch,” Wensel said. Wensel said the workshop is free but reservations are recommended by calling the Clay County Archives at 781-3611. She said those participating should wear comfortable clothing and shoes, and a hat,. They also should bring sunscreen, bug spray and water. They can bring a sack lunch, too. “If you want to learn how to fix a damaged stone, then we encourage you to attend,” Wensel said. Appel will be working at Fairview Cemetery starting at 8 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, July 22 and 23. The public is not invited to these grave stone restoration sessions. The city owns and maintains the grounds at Fairview and adjoining New Hope Cemetery, but the individual plots are privately owned, city officials said. Some of the graves are so old that there are no longer living family members to care for them.According to Wensel, a cleanup day is scheduled at the cemetery starting at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 25. Mayor Greg Canuteson said he and Councilman Jeff Moore planned to grill brats and hotdogs for the volunteers at nearby Franklin Elementary School. “I also plan to appoint a new seven-member board to deal with more long-term maintenance and preservation issues at the cemeteries,” Canuteson said. “We have short-term problems and long-term problems, so we need dedicated individuals.” THE DETAILS Workshops to teach the public and city staff how to repair damaged headstones will be held at the following places. - The public is invited starting at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 21, at Mt. Memorial Cemetery, William Jewell College - City staff will be working with restorationist Jonathan Appell starting at 8 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday, July 22 and 23, at Fairview Cemetery. Additionally, a cleanup day will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 25, at Fairview Cemetery, with lunch served for volunteers at noon at Franklin Elementary School. For reservations or for more information, call the Clay County Archives at 781-3611 or Jonna Wensel at 439-4537. Liberty Editor Angie Anaya Borgedalen can be reached at 781-4941 or aborgedalen@npgco.com.
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