Volunteers Clean, Mend Gravestones at Old Lyme Cemetary

Information via Old Lyme Cemetery Association

OLD LYME, CT – The Old Lyme Cemetery Association has begun an important initiative to restore neglected gravestones in the Ancient Section of the Duck River Cemetery and connect people with Old Lyme’s burial places through information and stories on a newly-launched website (oldlymecemeteries.org).

DUCK RIVER CEMETERY RESTORATION

Established as a burial place in 1676, Duck River Cemetery is one of the oldest active cemeteries in Connecticut. Covering more than fifteen acres along the west bank of the meandering Duck River, it includes gravestones commemorating a Connecticut governor, prosperous colonial merchants, African-descended slaves, distinguished judges, ministers, educators, ships captains, artists, actors, ornithologists, shopkeepers, and veterans from many wars.

Beginning in September 2021, volunteers have worked in Duck River’s Ancient Section to preserve and restore early gravestones. Under the expert guidance of Ruth Shapleigh-Brown of Connecticut Gravestone Network, Michael Carroll of Rediscovering History, and Parker Lord and Bill Denow of Lyme’s gravestone restoration project, this dedicated group has learned to clean, straighten, excavate, reset, and mend gravestones dating from the seventeenth to the nineteenth centuries.

As of June 2022, volunteers have straightened and reset 55 stones, cleaned 78 stones, and mended six stones. The OLCA welcomes volunteers to join the restoration project. Anyone wishing to volunteer can contact the Association for more information. OLCemeteryAssociation@gmail.com