P.O. Box 2173
Welcome to the Second Edition of FHRC News. We plan to provide monthly updates to keep all informed and involved in the restoration and preservation of Riverview Cemetery. We anticipate a transfer of the cemetery from the current owner to the FHRC sometime in June. Please help our network of Friends of Historic Riverview Cemetery expand by sharing this information. ( 313 Brandywine Blvd - near Edgemoor Rd. & Philadelphia Pk. ) The following individuals have volunteered to provide leadership:
We are in the process of creating a Board of Directors and writing By-laws for FHRC and we still need a Treasurer. We will have an official election of officers after the FHRC members approve the By-laws. As many of you remember, a lawsuit was filed in 2007 to investigate the situation at Riverview Cemetery. We learned in early 2008 that the current owner was willing to relinquish the cemetery and no one wanted to assume ownership. The current officers were designated to incorporate FHRC, so that this new entity could receive the cemetery, until a more suitable owner arrangement can be secured. By incorporating as we did, our board members and officers are protected from personal liability during this temporary period of overseeing the cemetery. If you are interested in being our Treasurer or being on the board and/or the committee, please send a letter and resume to the address listed above or to friendsofficers@gmail.com Our new name and entity (FHRC) has confused some and we hope the information below provides clarification. The Friends and Family of Riverview is only an e-mail list of people who have expressed an interest in Riverview's future and wanted to be kept up to date on any progress or happenings as pertains to Riverview. This is not an organization with voting members, a board or officers. The Friends of Historic Riverview Cemetery is now incorporated and anyone who wants to may become a member. To do this you must fill out a membership form and pay dues to join (Forms are available on our website or by calling Cheryl at 239-7842). Your membership allows you one vote, and an opportunity to serve on a committee, and possibly become a Board member or officer. We hope everyone on the current e-mail list will take this next step and join FHRC. Every person is needed to restore and preserve Riverview Cemetery. If you are able to help, please contact us. Below are a few areas to consider:
FHRC incorporated with the state of Delaware in April 2008. We have a bank account at Wilmington Trust and an account with the Delaware Community Foundation www.delcf.org. The DCF currently provides our 501 (c)3 status. Upon completion of the application process FHRC will have its own 501(c)3 status as well. Activities: Community Clean-Up Day: We had fast growing grass and a lot of rain in May! Mayor Baker arranged for City Parks and Recreation crews to cut grass and, together with Friends of Historic Riverview Cemetery and neighbors, both sides of the cemetery were completed by the end of the month. Although we were promised $50,000 for grass cutting this year, the State made huge budget cuts and we lost this funding source for 2008. To develop a new plan, we met with Mayor Baker and his staff on May 30. They generously offered to hire contractors for a few more cuts this season (approximately once a month). We still need to establish more partnerships to help fund or cut this 87 acre cemetery. Adopt-A-Plot: Many of us visit the final resting places of our relatives at Riverview Cemetery and pick up sticks and cut grass around our family plot. Please consider "adopting" a larger area. If you find that someone has already cut your area, "pay it forward" and cut another area. Your effort will assist in keeping the grounds at Riverview more presentable. As you enter the East side of the cemetery, the first right hand section has already been "adopted" as well as part of the section on the left. You are no longer alone out there; together we can make a difference! Memorial Day: Appomattox Camp No. 2, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, under the leadership of James Hanby held a Memorial Day Service at Riverview Cemetery on Sunday, May 25th and about 20 people attended. A veteran from the Civil War, Sergeant John Shilling III, who is also a Delaware Medal of Honor Recipient, was honored. Paul Cathell, President of the Delaware Medal of Honor Historical Association (DMOHHA) assisted in the ceremony, introduced the descendants of Sergeant Shilling and those buried in the plot next to him. FHRC plan to honor a veteran from different wars each year.
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