Volunteering: Cemetery Preservation Workshop
TBD
A Sacred Task

Established in the early 1700s, the English Graveyard is Canton’s first and oldest cemetery and is the final resting place for some of the Town’s earliest residents. The work we are doing is sacred. The preservation of graveyards involves a wide range of disciplines, including landscape architecture, historic and archival research, conservation, and at times even a structural engineer. In this case, we are cleaning graves that date to the early 1700's. This work is being done by the Canton Historical Commission and supported by the Canton Historical Society.
The session will start with a brief orientation and history of the graveyard. Volunteers will work in teams throughout two shifts, with time for snacks and lunch built into the day.
We will be guided by Barbara Mangum who is the founder of Sculpture & DecArts Conservation. Barbara has over 30 years of experience in the conservation of works of art and artifacts. Clients include some of the most prestigious institutions in the New England area: Harvard University, The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mount Auburn Cemetery, The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Peabody Essex Museum. Barbara has worked extensively at the Canton Corner Cemetery and is one of the foremost experts in the field.
The session will start with a brief orientation and history of the graveyard. Volunteers will work in teams throughout two shifts, with time for snacks and lunch built into the day.
We will be guided by Barbara Mangum who is the founder of Sculpture & DecArts Conservation. Barbara has over 30 years of experience in the conservation of works of art and artifacts. Clients include some of the most prestigious institutions in the New England area: Harvard University, The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mount Auburn Cemetery, The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Peabody Essex Museum. Barbara has worked extensively at the Canton Corner Cemetery and is one of the foremost experts in the field.
What To BringYou will be working on the ground, and we have developed a list of items that you may find most helpful to the success of this project.
Snacks and lunch will be provided, but bring along water and anything else you think you may need. Bathrooms are located at the Ponkapoag Fire Station (7 Sassamon Street) - a five minute walk away. |
What To WearYou will be working outside, and although this is a shady spot, please dress appropriately for the weather.
In particular, protect yourself from the sun, bugs and ticks, and prepare well for the weather, whatever it is forecast to be. We will work in light rain for a little while, although will have to cancel for a hard rain or wait for it to pass. Wear a hat, sunscreen and DEET insecticide. Long pants are best for protecting legs and keeping clean, but if it's hot, shorts and long socks are just fine. A lightweight long sleeve jacket is also helpful just in case. Your shoes will get muddy, so wear shoes that you don't care about too much. |
Where To ParkThe Old English Graveyard is located on Washington Street in Ponkapoag. The site is on a hill and is a beautiful piece of Town history.
This is a tight location and we are situated on busy Washington Street. Care must be taken in every respect. Please park on Sullivan Way and Heritage Lane. Please do not obstruct driveways. Also, please use extreme caution when walking on the shoulder of Washington Street when accessing the cemetery. Please consult this map at the bottom of this web page. |
Community Preservation Act - The Project
Funded by the Town of Canton, this is a CPA project that was funded in 2016. The process of planning and bidding takes quite some time, and we are now moving into the work phase. Work will be ongoing through the Summer and complete in late Fall 2018.
Several gravestones in this “pocket park” cemetery have been broken, others need to be reset (some with new subsurface castings) and all need to be cleaned of the biological growth that is concealing the markings and damaging the stones. Also, this project will remove small trees that have begun to impact gravestones and markers. New signage and a walking path will be installed later this Fall.
The Canton Historical Commission used actual cost figures from virtually identical work that is ongoing at the Canton Corner Cemetery to develop the project budget. This work is made possible by utilizing a team of volunteers who will work with trained conservators to cautiously and correctly clean the fragile gravestones. This project will result in the near complete restoration/preservation of this historic asset (with the exception of two missing stones and three stones fragmented beyond the scope of repair for this project).
Several gravestones in this “pocket park” cemetery have been broken, others need to be reset (some with new subsurface castings) and all need to be cleaned of the biological growth that is concealing the markings and damaging the stones. Also, this project will remove small trees that have begun to impact gravestones and markers. New signage and a walking path will be installed later this Fall.
The Canton Historical Commission used actual cost figures from virtually identical work that is ongoing at the Canton Corner Cemetery to develop the project budget. This work is made possible by utilizing a team of volunteers who will work with trained conservators to cautiously and correctly clean the fragile gravestones. This project will result in the near complete restoration/preservation of this historic asset (with the exception of two missing stones and three stones fragmented beyond the scope of repair for this project).
About the Graveyard

This burial place is referenced to in the book "1995 Survey Proprietor's Lot & English Graveyard, Canton, Massachusetts" by James and Kaitlyn Roache, published in 1995. This is the basis for the information on the bulletin board in the center of the graveyard
This cemetery began as two cemeteries, but were eventually merged into one. These burial places are referenced to in the book "History of The Town of Canton, Massachusetts" by Daniel Huntoon, published in 1893. For the historically curious you may want to learn that the "English Graveyard" portion is the one closest to Washington Street. It is bisected by the asphalt walkway that leads to the "Proprietor's Lot" section. It is the younger portion of the cemetery and the original "English Graveyard" was established after 1754. For a long time this area was mistakenly thought to be owned by the English Church.
The "Proprietor's Lot" portion is the area of the oldest burials. The land was used as early as 1700 and the deed was procured in 1741. After the Canton Corner Cemetery was established in 1716, only the descendants of the original proprietors continued to use this portion of the cemetery.
This cemetery began as two cemeteries, but were eventually merged into one. These burial places are referenced to in the book "History of The Town of Canton, Massachusetts" by Daniel Huntoon, published in 1893. For the historically curious you may want to learn that the "English Graveyard" portion is the one closest to Washington Street. It is bisected by the asphalt walkway that leads to the "Proprietor's Lot" section. It is the younger portion of the cemetery and the original "English Graveyard" was established after 1754. For a long time this area was mistakenly thought to be owned by the English Church.
The "Proprietor's Lot" portion is the area of the oldest burials. The land was used as early as 1700 and the deed was procured in 1741. After the Canton Corner Cemetery was established in 1716, only the descendants of the original proprietors continued to use this portion of the cemetery.
This project is made possible through a grant from the Canton Community Preservation Project Fund.