History organization lauds Old Township Burying Grounds work

by Chloe Leng

Restoration at the Old Hudson Township Burying Grounds will serve as a model for future projects of Ohio History Connection, a Columbus-based nonprofit that administers the Ohio History Fund. 

According to Hudson Assistant Public Works Director Trent Wash, the city received a $18,000 Ohio History Fund grant to restore headstones at the Chapel Street cemetery in 2021, after residents living near the site complained about the poor conditions.

The grant, along with other donations and approximately $20,000 in city funding, was used to hire Gravestone Guardians of Ohio, a contractor that specializes in historic restoration. The company repaired, cleaned and/or leveled every headstone within the cemetery, Wash said, using “the right limestone cement, and biologically safe cleaning materials” on the aged, brittle stone

Wash also noted that the headstones “were all hand repaired.” No big equipment was used during the restoration efforts.

Ultimately, he said, the technique and materials used during restoration were two big reasons why the Ohio History Connection was so pleased with how the grant was used.

So far, the total investment to restore the burial grounds has been approximately $50,000. In addition to cleaning and repairing the stones, which was finished in October 2023, the site was landscaped this spring.  Wash said future work will include repair of the roadside fence and sidewalk. ∞

These before (left) and after (below) photos show
the restoration work on headstone at Old Township Burying Ground. Photos
submitted.