Welcome!

Welcome to our web site!

On this home page we'll introduce our organization and highlight important areas on our site.

There is created a permanent advisory commission to study the location, condition, and inventory of historical cemeteries in Rhode Island and to make recommendations to the general assembly relative to historical cemeteries in Rhode Island.

There are 39 cities and towns in RI and all have historic cemeteries within their boundaries. These historic cemeteries are a template of the developmental patterns of each community and demonstrate the social and economic growth, as well as the changes throughout each community.

It is our hope to formulate and develop plans and programs to restore, rehabilitate and maintain historical cemeteries and locate sources of funds such as grants and individual or corporate sponsors.

With this web site we hope to inform the public on where to go for help in regarding historical cemeteries. As an example, if anyone should "find" a cemetery that is not marked or they think not "registered" it should be reported to a Commission member. Along with the information on where this "found" cemetery is should have particulars such as stones with names on them, and possible GPS location. If not GPS than at least street, telephone pole etc. The member would then contact the Historical Cemetery Database to see if it might be on it. If it is not on the database there would be a number given to it. Member would then notify Town Clerk, Planner and Assessor with particulars so they, the Town can register the cemetery.

We will try to provide links to the exact question you have on your mind. We will also be available to answer any questions you have that could not be answered here. On the Our Purpose page we will give suggestions that we feel are appropriate to you.

Volunteers Needed

Mentors for High School students regarding Historical Cemeteries and History

Teaching the care of a cemetery, the history that is in there, recording of stones, research on the computer, research of deeds at City Hall, taking GPS readings, Survey the plat maps, research on Google Earth to gather GPS readings.

Commitment would be 2 times a week in Providence.

For more information please call Evelyn Wheeler at 401-789-3503 or e mail eviewhee@verizon.net

Tillinghast Cemetery

	On May 17, over 20 students from Moses Brown spent their Community Service day cleaning the Tillinghast Cemetery, East Greenwich #18. This had been half cleaned on Earth day by volunteers, Chris Sanford and Leanne, Julie Nathanson, Deborah McCoy and a group from the Sons of American Revolution.
	Under the great enthusiasm of the Moses Brown students it got finished and then some. They put the sign back, and cleaned the overgrowth in front of the stone wall so now visitors trying to find this can easily see it as a cemetery

Helpful hints of the day.

DO seek permission from property owner to pass through their land. Ask where to park. Respect their land and their wishes. Leave no refuse. Leave everything as you find it or better.
DO NOT move gravestones.
Record names and dates if stones have not previously been documented. Call Commissioner with this information. Photograph if possible.
DO NOT cut large living trees
DO NOT drag fallen trees across gravestones. Lift carefully
DO NOT cut brush in the spring as it will multiply.
DO cut between October and January.
DO take away any debris.
DO wear gloves, safety glasses. Watch for poison ivy, oak and sumac. Use rubbing alcohol as soon as possible on you and your equipment.
GRAVESTONE RUBBING is not recommended except under expert supervision.
PHOTOGRAPHY is welcome. Take before and after photos. Record date, cemetery location and direction photo was taken. If you have undocumented grave stones, please let us know so we can update the Historical Cemetery Database.
Use a "Space Pen" as it writes upside down and when the paper is wet.

Contact Us

For full listing, see Members Page