Events

Cemetery Preservation Project – Old Hanover Presbyterian Churchyard

July 12, 2025 @ 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Location

Old Hanover Presbyterian Churchyard

1461 Ridge Rd

Grantville,

PA

17028

United States

+ Google Map

Event Information

Please see the following update for Saturday’s cemetery workshop:
Compatriots and Friends!
I wanted to send everyone an update on the cemetery workshop this Saturday 7/12/2025 at 10am at Old Hanover Presbyterian Churchyard.
First of all, THANK YOU to all that have responded, whether that is by volunteering, attending, donating, or even telling me you can’t make it (if you can’t make it and you got this email, sorry and feel free to delete). That communication is vital. I also want to say that I think we picked a very interesting cemetery to work at. Why? Not only has Harris Ferry worked at this site before (1940s and 1990s), but we have multiple chapter members who have ancestors buried here. This sort of work, bringing those descendants and brethren back to lend a hand to their own family’s gravesites, is one of the main reasons why I love this sort of work and why I want to give these opportunities to all of and the community.
Second, here are some more finite details about Saturday:
  • Weather: We’re looking at some slight rain, hopefully just a drizzle. Not the end of the world, might actually be refreshing, and it will help moisten stones so we don’t have to waste our own water. IF it turns ugly at any point, we can either wait it out or call it. (The cemetery isn’t going anywhere!)
  • Who is attending: So far, including myself, I’ve gotten about under a dozen people attending/volunteering. Whether more show up or not is a mystery; this was shared via email, with the DAR, with East Hanover Historical Society, and others. There is still time to come out if you like or donate if you wish, but zero commitments.
  • Time: I will be arriving early to set up and unload, probably around 8:30am. By all means come early if you wish. Those who volunteered to bring canopies may want to arrive early just so we can get those squared away. Start time is still scheduled for 10am.
  • Misc: We will raise a new flag on the pole, but no Color Guard or Ceremony. I would like to do this officially one day, maybe annually, but this project is meant to be for working with no real agenda. I am also bringing small pvc pipes that we can tap into the ground next to stones that are veterans, which makes them easily identifiable for those who bring flags out on holidays or occasions. I’m also bringing some slightly used flags I have a stockpile of that have plenty of life left in them.
  • Parking: Please see the attached images. We are going to do our best to safely park around the cemetery and along the street without going into the neighbor’s yard or hang out into the road. I’m trying to get ahold of the neighbor just in case; he used to mow it back in the day so I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if we had to park in the portion of his property, but I don’t want to assume anything.
  • Location: 1461 Ridge Rd, Grantville, PA 17028
  • Things to bring: comfortable/working clothes for hot or wet weather, gloves/hat/sunglasses, sun screen, foldable chair, umbrella
  • Things not to bring: pets, SAR medals or regalia, fancy clothes (you’re going to get dirty if you’re volunteering)
  • Refreshments: water will be available as well as granola bars. By all means bring more for yourself at least if you know you want to eat something a bit more hearty or lasting.
I am taking a half day from work tomorrow to mow and weed-wack if it is needed. I’ve confirmed the cemetery is mowed monthly, but I would rather stop out a day prior and do it myself so we aren’t walking through knee high grass in the scenario it hasn’t been cut yet.
If the weather is absolutely awful at the start of the day and shows no signs of letting up, I will email you, update the Facebook, and update the website with more information.
I believe that’s it, if you have any questions whatsoever, please ask. You may call, text, or email. You may forward this to whoever you wish. Thank you all so much, I’ll see those coming on Saturday!
Jacob R. Lemon (717-507-5364)
Below is an image of the parking layout:
Yellow: let’s park in these areas. If parking along the road, hug the grass so you’re off the road. When you approach the cemetery, the ground dips pretty sharp. I’ll help coordinate parking as people arrive.
Green: we will set up at least one canopy here near the entrance to the cemetery.
Red: overflow parking into the neighbors land that I would prefer we try to stay away from.
May be an image of map

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Compatriots!  It is time to show our ancestors just how much we honor and respect them, and we will do so by helping to preserve their final resting places.

Old Hanover Presbyterian Churchyard (one of several names) is located in Grantville, near the Hollywood Casino.  Back in the 1940s, Harris Ferry went to the church (now gone) and raised the issue of the cemetery’s deplorable condition.  Over the years, the burial ground was repaired, including the beautiful stone perimeter.  In the 1990s, Harris Ferry dedicated the cemetery with a large bronze marker by the entrance.

In the current time period, it would appear the cemetery is at least occasionally mowed, if not continuously.  I am inquiring about that frequency and by who.  We, however, have the opportunity to visit and conduct a workshop there.  I will be leading this, as I have the knowledge and tools on how to clean, reset, and repair tombstones.

What will we be doing?

  1. The plan is to clean as many tombstones as possible, with a focus on the veteran tombstones first (Patriot stones and those of later wars).  Depending on the number of volunteers in attendance, that may be easily achieved and we can focus on other stones after.
  2. If the number of volunteers is substantial, I and a few other will focus on resetting and repairing stones while the majority of others are cleaning.  This ensures the survival of these stones for even more years.
  3. Raising a new flag on the flag pole, which may be accompanied by a Color Guard.  (more to come on this).  We will also distribute new flags to veterans if existing flags are in need of retirement.

What can YOU do to contribute?

  1. If you wish to volunteer to clean and help on the stones, by all means grab a pair of gloves and we’ll put you to work!
  2. If you wish to simply watch and learn and hang out, that is more than welcomed.  A lot of people like to learn about the process and some history along the way, especially if they’re unable to physically contribute.
  3. Factoring in potential hot weather, we could use some help ensuring water and refreshments are available, a tent or two and chairs are available, etc.  If you have any of these you are willing to bring and set up, please contact me promptly.
  4. If you wish to make any sort of financial contribution toward supplies or to the chapter, that is always extremely appreciated.  Contact me regarding this please.
  5. RSVP to me ASAP if you wish to come, that is what I TRULY need from you so I can coordinate this effectively.

Miscellaneous

  • Date/Time:  Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 10am to whenever we decide as a group to hang it up.
  • Rain Date:  Sunday, July 13, 2025 at 12pm. (If both days are bad weather, this event will be rescheduled entirely and communicated on our website, Facebook, and email.)
  • Location:  1461 Ridge Rd, Grantville, PA 17028
  • Parking:  There is parking along the street, but not much.  This is very dependent on the number of volunteers.  If there are only a few of us, we can park along the street or request from a local neighbor we park at their property and walk.  If there are a lot of us, we may be able to park at the parking lot at Hollywood Casino and shuttle over via a van or bus.  I will be in contact with the casino and someone who may be able to provide a van or bus.
  • Who is invited?:  Anyone and everyone!  Bring the kids and grandkids, other SAR/DAR/CAR members, your neighbors, all are welcome!  (Just update me on who is confirmed coming, I’ll  need a headcount.)
  • Things to bring:  comfortable/working clothes for hot weather, gloves/hat/sunglasses, sun screen, foldable chair, umbrella (to shield the sun even)
  • Things not to bring:  pets, SAR medals or regalia, fancy clothes (you’re going to get dirty if you’re volunteering)
  • Refreshments:  water will be available as well as light refreshments.  Depending on the number of attendees, we may be able to get a sponsor for food from a local shop.

That should be about everything, I’ll update this as I get more things hammered out.  Please check this posting on the website for these updates.  That link is:  https://harrisferrysar.org/event/cemetery-preservation-project-old-hanover-presbyterian-churchyard/.

This project is meant to be fun, constructive, educational, and historical.  Your cooperation and assistance is invaluable.  Some of our own chapter members have Patriot Ancestors buried here, so let’s show them our support.

Contact me if you are volunteering, wish to attend as a bystander, wish to donate, wish to bring things to help out (tents, chairs, water, food, van/bus transportation, etc), or if you have any questions at all.  You can reach me at the following email or phone number.  If you call me, please leave a message and I’ll return your call (weeds out the spam calls we all get).  You may also text.

Thank You!  –  Jacob R. Lemon, President, Harris Ferry Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution

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