Friends of Woodlawn Cemetery of Elmira, Inc.

Projects and Events

The Friends support Woodlawn cemetery through a variety of projects and events.

Projects

 

Completed or underway:

• Masonry and ironwork on the Walnut St. and Davis St. gates
• Restoration of the historic iron fencing
• Masonry work on the Pierce-Bickford Chapel
• Erection of signage in keeping with the Victorian character of the cemetery.
• Restoration of the Stephens Memorial

1. Proposed future projects:

• Restoration of historic vaults, mausoleums and monuments
• Inventory of grave markers
• Digitization of the cemetery’s 150 years of valuable historical records
• Improvement of landscaping and grounds
• Educational programs for local schools
• Restoration of the Pierce-Bickford Chapel
• Relocation of office

Events

 

Observance of the 100th Anniversary of the Burial of Samuel Langhorne Clemens in Woodlawn Cemetery, Saturday, April 24, 2010, a part of the Twain 2010 celebration. A funeral procession with period transportation (horse-and-carriages, vintage cars, "trolleys") will leave the historic Park Church, 208 W. Gray St., Elmira, at 10:15 a.m.  An interment ceremony reenactment will take place at the Langdon Plot in the cemetery 11:00-11:30 a.m. (enter by Walnut St. gate).  You may wish to join in the spirit of historic reenactment by wearing black or very dark attire and carrying a black umbrella.

Poetry Post Installed. Woodlawn Cemetery was included as one of the first six City of Elmira locations to have a Poetry Post installed.  Poetry Posts are simple wooden podiums which display weather-proofed poetry written by area poets.

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