Tuesday, July 11, 2017

CHCC Cleanup Event: CR076 - 6/25/17


The Cranston Historical Cemetery Commission (CHCC) coordinated a major cleanup effort with the West Bay Land Trust (WBLT) for CR076, the Wight-Arnold Lot, on Sunday, June 25th. This event was a fantastic success and great progress was made towards the restoration of this long-neglected cemetery.

The Wight-Arnold Lot is located off Burlingame Road on WBLT property and has been heavily overgrown for many years. Of the six recorded burials, only two stones remained visible and were hidden deep among the growth. It was not known where the actual cemetery boundaries were and whether more stones could be found. This cleanup effort would be the first step in determining this.


Members of the CHCC, WBLT, and a few additional volunteers spent about three hours removing all of the growth while taking care to ensure no damage came to the cemetery and the stones within it. We would like to especially thank Mike Klitzner, who assisted by cutting trees, logs, and vines, and who provided the use of his tractor to move much of the heavy waste. The amount of progress made was more than expected, removing enough growth to make a pile approximately 10' x 20' and 8' high!




Although no new stones were found, we now have a reasonably sure idea of where the burials are located. In coming weeks, we will return to remove more ground cover, probe to search for other stones, and determine the boundaries of the cemetery. Eventually, we hope to have all of the graves marked and any stones replaced/repaired, and even will be looking into having a permanent fence installed. The WBLT will soon be able to show off this cemetery as one of the many highlights of their properties and will ensure this lot will not fall into such disrepair again.

Thanks to all of the volunteers who assisted us! If you would like to volunteer to work on this or any other cemeteries, please feel free to contact us through our website.



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