P.O. Box 2173
Welcome to the Third 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 in July. To date, the following individuals have volunteered to provide provisional leadership:
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. A membership form can be found at the end of this newsletter, 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. If you would like to apply to become a Board member of FHRC or serve on a committee, please contact friendsofficers@gmail.com or call Cheryl. 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:
Do you have a suggestion or an idea of something you would like to do to help which isn't on the list? We'd love to hear about it.
FHRC incorporated with the state of Delaware on April 17, 2008. We have a checking 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 the FHRC will have its own 501(c)3 status as well. Activities: Fundraiser Cookout: Coming soon! Join the Friends of Historic Riverview Cemetery for our first Community Cookout Fundraiser and Membership Drive! We will feature your cookout favorites, music, tours, and good conversation, all for a minimum cost of $10 per person. Be on the lookout for our flyer announcing the date and time. For further information, call 762-3184. Adopt-A-Plot: Please let us know the areas that you are cutting. You may go on our website, look up your section on the cemetery map and email us the information at friendsofficers@gmail.com OR when you are at the cemetery, look under the mat at the top of the Chapel steps for a map in a plastic sheet. Circle or mark your area and put your name on it. Everyone's effort to beautify the cemetery is greatly appreciated. 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. The section behind the chapel has also been "adopted". Together we can make a difference! Grass Cutting: Cutting Edge did their first cut on June 16th and 17th . Quality work was done on both sides of the cemetery. They will return for their last cut on July 14th. The City of Wilmington is paying their fee. Do you know a landscaper or lawn service company that you could approach and ask if they might donate one Riverview cutting? In return, we could provide them with a tax receipt.
In 1921, the Board of Trustees of the First and Central Presbyterian Church made an agreement with the Riverview Cemetery Company to move the cemetery remains in their adjoining churchyard (on Market Street between 9th and 10th ) to section H, west side at Riverview Cemetery. This 200 year old cemetery was moved so that the land could be sold by the church. The Wilmington Free Library was built and still stands at that location today. Below is an interesting website, where at last count, 1,635 interments from Riverview Cemetery are listed. Copy and paste the link into your web browser. On the right side, click "search for a cemetery"; type in "Riverview" and fill in the state "DE"; click on the cemetery name. Two contributors to this website are our own Russ Pickett and Chrissie Braddock. http://www.findagrave.com May 6, 1963 Riverview Cemetery Board of Trustees Minutes: Mrs. Clara Wallace Eyre of the Caesar Rodney Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) requested permission to copy the records of burials in Riverview Cemetery and send the copies to the DAR Library in Washington, DC. This request was granted by the Board. The question is, "Did she actually do this?" We have contacted the Caesar Rodney DAR Chapter. They have generously offered to check in their local files, to check with the Delaware DAR State Historian and they will contact their National Chairman to see if they can locate any such records. Stay tuned.
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