Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries awards over $62,000 in preservation grants

OREGON (KTVZ) -- The Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries (OCHC) has awarded $62,500 in grants to 14 historic cemetery projects across the state, including Deschutes County. These funds will support preservation efforts, tree care and surveys.

The grants are part of the annual Historic Cemeteries Grant program, aiming to help document, preserve and promote designated historic cemeteries.

Individual awards for the 14 projects ranged from $603 to $8,000. This grant program is an annual offering by the OCHC, which operates as part of the Oregon Heritage Program at the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). The program receives support from lottery and other state funds.

To be considered historic and eligible for OCHC documentation, a cemetery must include the burial of at least one person who died 75 years before the current date.

The funded projects address various needs at cemeteries statewide. This includes fence installation, marker repair, tree work, Ground Penetrating Radar work, and surveys.

Specific projects receiving funding include fence installation at the Blue Mountain Cemetery in Baker County. Marker repair will occur at Eastwood Independent Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery in Medford, Fairview Cemetery, Riverside Cemetery and Sandridge Cemetery in Linn County, as well as St. Boniface Cemetery and Twin Oaks Cemetery in Marion County. Tree work is planned for Bridal Veil Cemetery in Multnomah County, Burch Pioneer Cemetery in Polk County and Mo. Flat Cemetery in Jackson County. Camp Polk Cemetery in Deschutes County will receive funding for Ground Penetrating Radar work, while a survey will be completed at Allegany Historic Cemetery in Coos County. Security lighting will be installed at Mount Union Cemetery in Benton County and gravel road repair will be completed at Powers Cemetery in Coos County.

The OCHC, a seven-member appointed commission, maintains a list of all pioneer and historic cemeteries throughout Oregon. The commission assists individuals and organizations in their efforts to document, preserve and promote these designated historic sites.

For more information about the grant program or the OCHC, visit www.oregonheritage.org or contact Kuri Gill at Kuri.gill@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-986-0685.