PRESERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT FUND
In his 1998 novel entitled Fear Nothing, best-selling author Dean Koontz wrote:
“I stopped in St. Bernadette's Cemetery, one of my favorite places... The trunks of six giant oaks rise like columns supporting a ceiling formed by their interlocking crowns. In the quiet space below, is laid out an aisle similar to those in any library. The gravestones are like rows of books bearing the names of those whose names have been blotted from the pages of life; who have been forgotten elsewhere but are remembered here.”
“I stopped in St. Bernadette's Cemetery, one of my favorite places... The trunks of six giant oaks rise like columns supporting a ceiling formed by their interlocking crowns. In the quiet space below, is laid out an aisle similar to those in any library. The gravestones are like rows of books bearing the names of those whose names have been blotted from the pages of life; who have been forgotten elsewhere but are remembered here.”
While people most often think of cemeteries in terms of things such as necessity and beauty, the greatest of all should be that of remembrance. Here at Mount Olivet, we hold this concept very close. This cemetery is the sum of its interments, and we have here a definitive mirror on Frederick's legendary past. Just as our town and county are known for its history and preservation efforts, we want to do the same with our records, buildings and most importantly, grave markers and monuments.
Monumental Funding
Thanks to the generosity of the Mount Olivet Cemetery Board of Directors, an amount of $25,500 was collected in 2017 to establish the newly formed Mount Olivet Preservation and Enhancement Fund (MOCPEF) with the Community Foundation of Frederick County.
For over a decade, the Mount Olivet Board of Directors have entertained the idea of establishing a preservation-themed fund with the Community Foundation. The idea was first pitched, and championed, by Colleen Remsberg, longtime Board member and immediate past president. In 2014, the Mount Olivet Preservation and Enhancement Fund was incorporated, but it wasn’t until December 2016 when the cemetery took the next important step to move forward—filing an application with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) public charity. The mission of this charity reads as follows:
The mission of the Mount Olivet Cemetery Preservation and Enhancement Fund is to assist in the conservation of the natural beauty and historic integrity of Mount Olivet Cemetery and to increase public knowledge and appreciation of its unique, cultural, historic, and natural resources through charitable and educational programs.
Thanks to the generosity of the Mount Olivet Cemetery Board of Directors, an amount of $25,500 was collected in 2017 to establish the newly formed Mount Olivet Preservation and Enhancement Fund (MOCPEF) with the Community Foundation of Frederick County.
For over a decade, the Mount Olivet Board of Directors have entertained the idea of establishing a preservation-themed fund with the Community Foundation. The idea was first pitched, and championed, by Colleen Remsberg, longtime Board member and immediate past president. In 2014, the Mount Olivet Preservation and Enhancement Fund was incorporated, but it wasn’t until December 2016 when the cemetery took the next important step to move forward—filing an application with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) public charity. The mission of this charity reads as follows:
The mission of the Mount Olivet Cemetery Preservation and Enhancement Fund is to assist in the conservation of the natural beauty and historic integrity of Mount Olivet Cemetery and to increase public knowledge and appreciation of its unique, cultural, historic, and natural resources through charitable and educational programs.
Putting this in layman’s terms, the cemetery’s Board wanted to take steps to preserve the history of this great “garden cemetery,” a community institution since the 1850s. In doing so, they are safeguarding the cemetery’s historic records, structures and grave monuments therein. This can be exemplified by things such as our “Stories in Stone” articles, onsite tours and lectures and presentations to local civic groups. In addition, we continue to expand upon heritage tourism products and programming, visitor assistance with genealogy and family history of those interred here, special commemorative events and anniversaries, educational partnerships (through school field trips), interpretive displays (such as historic waysides) and unique commemorative plantings. Best of all, we now have the opportunity, and more so the financial support, to preserve and repair broken and illegible gravestones and monuments in the cemetery’s historic section.
"I've fallen and I can't get up."
Union Civil War vet Sgt. Martin Hutz
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Broken ledger stone from Colonial era
A study in rusted-out supports
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Many people assume that “downed,” and leaning grave markers are products of vandalism or shoddy care. This is incorrect. Most have toppled due to the fact that graves of the 19th century lacked the underlying support foundations that are commonplace in the cemetery’s 20th and 21st century interments. Early graves and reburials lacked vaults of any kind, others consisted of brick vaults or simple “over coverings” of a casket with a slab of slate stone. Over time, the weight from above has caused a collapse as the slate and brick has given way. In other cases, most monument dies are simply held up by iron rods. Moisture can get to these inner pinnings and rust them out. Ground movement underneath (as mentioned), or a strong wind can fell these tombstones at will. In addition, fissures can develop based on weather, causing a stone to crack or a delicate angel’s wing to break. Weather and pollution are also to blame for monument discoloration and other things like algae growth and mineral buildup on marble and granite stones alike.
"Where are my arms?"
Grave of former Frederick mayor Lewis Bruner
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Recipient of multiple "quick fixes" over the years
An "Algae Angel"
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Before (leaning forward and hard to read) Photo taken in June, 2017
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After (Given quick solution wash with D2 and straightened. Marble will return to original white state over time.) Photo taken in August, 2017
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Revisited months later (D2, from original treatment, continues to leach out dirt, etc) Photo taken in January, 2018
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With these problems, who’s responsibility is it to make repairs? Well, the stones are the property of individual lot holders. The cemetery comes into play with any damage done by cemetery staff, mowing vendors, or acts of nature/God such as a tree or branch collapse. Sadly, In the case of the historic area of Mount Olivet, descending generations have passed on, and many monuments are presently unvisited, and unclaimed, as families moved from the area, or simply “died” out. Our Preservation Fund will allow us to continue with gravestone cleaning by our beloved "Stoners" and repairs, and in some cases, elaborate fixes by our own volunteer corps and sometimes the aid of other specialized craftsmen. Through our Mount Olivet "Monument Hall of Fame" we are addressing a long range goal of compiling inventories of architecturally and artistically unique monuments here at Mount Olivet, representing not only prominent folks from Frederick’s past, but serving as testaments of outstanding art works of early craftsmanship.
Colleen Remsberg
Since receiving our IRS non-profit standing in February, 2017, donors can help us with our various preservation goals. We have an immediate use fund that assists our Friends of Mount Olivet and helps finance cleaning solutions and supplies, and repair tools and associated epoxies, compounds, etc. and materials to assist with historical research, collection and storytelling. To date, our volunteers have cleaned thousands of gravestones and repaired hundreds of monuments. This has resulted in an amazing transformation of the cemetery's historical section.
Grant awards have helped in a variety of ways including projects such as interpretive waysides for Barbara Fritchie, Jacob Engelbrecht and Thomas Johnson, Jr., our World War I Memorial Gazebo and repointing/rebronze-ing the Francis Scott Key Monument. Upcoming large projects include digital platform history storytelling aids for notable decedents, Star-Spangled Plaza, and enhancement for the World War II Memorial.
For long-range endowment purposes, The Mount Olivet Cemetery Preservation and Enhancement Fund is qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts through the Community Foundation of Frederick County.
With roots dating back to 1986, the Community Foundation allows members of the Frederick community to establish charitable funds that are then distributed to nonprofit agencies and other social services throughout Frederick County. The cost of establishing a fund with this great organization is $25,000. Colleen Remsberg gave the initial pledge of $10,000 and started the ball rolling for us toward the goal of $25,000. In doing so, she challenged her fellow board members and the rest is history as they say.
Grant awards have helped in a variety of ways including projects such as interpretive waysides for Barbara Fritchie, Jacob Engelbrecht and Thomas Johnson, Jr., our World War I Memorial Gazebo and repointing/rebronze-ing the Francis Scott Key Monument. Upcoming large projects include digital platform history storytelling aids for notable decedents, Star-Spangled Plaza, and enhancement for the World War II Memorial.
For long-range endowment purposes, The Mount Olivet Cemetery Preservation and Enhancement Fund is qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts through the Community Foundation of Frederick County.
With roots dating back to 1986, the Community Foundation allows members of the Frederick community to establish charitable funds that are then distributed to nonprofit agencies and other social services throughout Frederick County. The cost of establishing a fund with this great organization is $25,000. Colleen Remsberg gave the initial pledge of $10,000 and started the ball rolling for us toward the goal of $25,000. In doing so, she challenged her fellow board members and the rest is history as they say.
Mount Olivet Cemetery is more than just a burying ground, it’s a “museum without walls.” This fund, and the monetary support that it will provide into the future, will ensure that this special place continues to thrive and stay relevant into eternity as these life “Stories in Stone” are certainly worth preserving. You are invited to make a tax-deductible contribution of your own to our fund. Make it in your name, or in the name of a loved-one or family who reside within the garden-cemetery's gates. We look at "Giving Tuesday," the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, as a perfect day to do so, but we are open to the 364 other days/year as well!
The month of December is a special month to collect membership dues for our Friends of Mount Olivet group, and generous donations to our FOMO Preservation Operating Fund. This can be done through credit card payment utilizing the PayPal platform securely linked through our website (at the top of this page and below) or checks made payable to:
Mount Olivet Preservation and Enhancement Fund
c/o Mount Olivet Cemetery
P.O. Box 565
515 S. Market Street
Frederick, MD 21701
The month of December is a special month to collect membership dues for our Friends of Mount Olivet group, and generous donations to our FOMO Preservation Operating Fund. This can be done through credit card payment utilizing the PayPal platform securely linked through our website (at the top of this page and below) or checks made payable to:
Mount Olivet Preservation and Enhancement Fund
c/o Mount Olivet Cemetery
P.O. Box 565
515 S. Market Street
Frederick, MD 21701
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Mount Olivet's Board of Directors (2017)
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For more information on giving to the Mount Olivet Preservation & Enhancement Fund, please contact Mount Olivet Preservation Manager Chris Haugh at (301) 662-1164, or email him at [email protected]. Click our Friends of Mount Olivet logo below to discover more about preservation, research, social and volunteer opportunities.
To learn more about donating to the Community Foundation endowment, call 301-695-7660 or click their logo below.
To learn more about donating to the Community Foundation endowment, call 301-695-7660 or click their logo below.
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Become a member of our "Friends Group!"
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