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Date: 5/23/2023
MONSON — In an effort to maintain and preserve monuments in town, the Monson Cemetery Commission is hosting a historical gravestone restoration workshop on June 3.
“[The workshop] is a benefit for us, because we get to accomplish one of our goals — to beautify our cemeteries — but also give an opportunity to the community, an opportunity to learn about something that they may not think about. During government lockdowns interest in cemeteries exploded [which] sparked the interest for the town,” said Mat Wawrzyk, Monson cemetery foreman.
Workshop participants will have the opportunity to learn about historic monument preservation and restoration techniques, and take part in the cleaning themselves.
“Essentially, the Cemetery Commission came to the conclusion it would be the most beneficial as a community-type workshop, because it is the only way to get it done. The main goal is to fix and clean all historic monuments,” Wawrzyk said.
The Monson Cemetery Commission is responsible for maintaining 10 town-owned cemeteries and the common, located in front of the library. According to the town website, the first burial in town was in 1762 at the Bethany Road Cemetery, the oldest cemetery in town. Other Monson cemeteries include the North Main Street Cemetery which was established in 1777, Moulton Hill Road Cemetery established in 1779, Butler District Cemetery in 1791, Brimfield Road Cemetery in 1800, Main Street Cemetery in 1803, Bennett Road Cemetery in 1810, Stafford Road Cemetery in 1813, Hillside Cemetery in 1825 and Hillcrest Cemetery in 1969. There are two private cemetries in town where only family members were buried. These sites are not maintained by the town. They include the David Bradway lot at Moulton Hill and the Pease Burying Ground on Lower Hampden Road.
Workshop attendees will clean, reposition, glue cracks and preserve monuments. Those who choose to volunteer must wear closed-toe shoes and be prepared to get dirty.
Bottled water will be provided, however people are encouraged to bring snacks or their own lunch. Adult supervision is recommended for volunteers under age 16.
The historical graveyard restoration workshop is free and open to the public, including employees of surrounding municipal cemeteries.
The workshop will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the top section of Hillside Cemetery. Parking is available across from the entrance of the cemetery at 29 Thompson St. The rain date is June 10.
The workshop is funded by the Regional Economic Development Organization Grant program. While an RSVP is not required, it is recommended. For more information and to RSVP, email cemetery@monson-ma.gov, or call 413-267-4113.
Staff Writer Marcella Comerford contributed to this article.