The majority of our group of volunteers have been caring for the cemetery grounds since 2002 with new people joining us on a regular basis. Over the year's enhancements such as a new sign at the cemetery's entrance, interpretive panels, benches, brochures, and Interpretive Center has made the Jacksonville Cemetery quite a popular place to visit for families, friends, residents, and visitors alike. Three yearly community clean-up days and ongoing monument restoration work have helped us to keep the cemetery grounds neat, tidy and safe for all to enjoy.

As a result of a grant that we received in 2006 from the Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries our trained volunteers are now able to share their skills and knowledge with others in Southern Oregon. In June of 2012 we held two training workshops, one on marker repair and restoration, and the other on how to clean cemetery markers. This June we will be holding ongoing marker cleaning workshops on the third Saturday of the month in April, June, July, August, and September. Our trained volunteers have also been able to assist other local cemeteries with marker restoration projects. It is wonderful to be able to help some of the smaller cemeteries with manpower and supplies.

In the Jacksonville Cemetery trained volunteers have restored 142 markers to date, with another 67 being restored by professionals. In addition, trained volunteers have also restored curbing, steps and decorative urns. Our three biggest projects have been the installation of a period style fence around the Plymale Family Block, the restored iron fencing around the Kahler Family Block, and the recent restoration of the retaining wall and curbing, as well as, the iron fencing around the Muller Family Block. These were all major and expensive projects with volunteers working along side the professionals to help keep costs down.

The photo at the top of the page is of a military marker that was placed at the gravesite of Pvt. Hayes Benjamin Taylor, a Spanish America War Veteran, who was killed in action at the Battle of Malabon in the Philippines on March 25, 1899. His remains were sent home to Jacksonville and buried in the cemetery on February 21, 1900. However, his final resting place was never marked. Working with the office of Veterans Affairs the Friends of Jacksonville's Historic Cemetery were able to secure a marker for his gravesite and we were honored to place it with a beautiful Dedication and Memorial Service on November 14, 2012.

2013 will mark the start of our major fund raising effort to restore the Ish Family Block, located in the Odd Fellow (IOOF) Section of the cemetery. The large elaborate markers are all of the Victorian Era and the block is surrounded by sandstone curbing with an entrance step and a beautiful iron fence and gate. Given time, settlement, and vandalism the entire block is in need of extensive restoration. It will be without a doubt our biggest undertaking to date. The FOJHC has set aside $5,000 towards the project with an additional $2,200 in donations received over the recent holidays. We plan on several fund raisers during the year and pursuing grant opportunities as they become available. Our first fund raiser will be hosted by the IOOF with a spaghetti dinner on Saturday, February 23, 2013. All proceeds will go towards this restoration project.

Our Eighth Annual production of our major fund raising event, Meet the Pioneers, is scheduled for Friday, October 11, and Saturday, October 12, 2013. Proceeds from this program cover our very limited operating expenses with the majority of the funds covering ongoing restoration and preservation work in the cemetery.

Be sure to check out the Calendar and Events Section for more information on our "Save the Ish Block" campaign, this year's Meet the Pioneers, and other Friends of Jacksonville's Historic Cemetery activities and events.