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Our Mission |
Upcoming Events |
The mission of the Friends of the Bedford Cemeteries is to support the preservations and maintenance of the four cemeteries in the Town of Bedford by promoting public awareness and by fund raising activities.
The Friends of the Bedford Cemeteries is a private-public partnership with the Town of Bedford dedicated to restoration and maintenance of Bedford's four historic cemeteries.
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March 18, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Learn how Grave Stones are made.
May 20, 2008 7:30 PM Cleaning Gravestones
Kia Natena of Grave Stone Services of New England will give a program on how to clean grave stones.
June 6, 2008 9:00 AM Gravestone cleaning party. Center Cemetery
12:00 PM Strawberry Festival at the Presbyterian Church
All meetings are held at the Bedford Library unless otherwise indicated. |
Our Community Heritage
The cultural significance of gravestones and burial grounds is evident when one wanders through our Town's cemeteries. Famous and not so famous names and events are memorialized on many stones. History is palpable in the serene settings we've maintained as our burial spaces.
According to the "History of Bedford 1737-1971". our town's first cemetery was allotted at the time of the Town's settlement. Bedford's oldest standing gravestones date from shortly after the settlement. famous names of New Hampshire's forefathers are visible here including the Patten, Goffe and Woodbury families.
There are those who served in our early military including veterans of the French and Indian War as well as the American War for Independence. Our early homes, many of which still stand majestically through out the town, were built by many now resting here.
In each issue of our newsletter, we will introduce some of the better known individuals who helped make Bedford what it is today.
If you are pleased to call Bedford your home, we hope that you will enjoy learning about our past citizens.
If you are proud to call Bedford your town, we hope that you will join our efforts to preserve the early memories and mementos of our community heritage.
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Doris Peck Spurway
Doris Spurway began her service to Bedford in 1952 as a Red Phone Operator for the Bedford Fire Department. She is the town historian and has served as a Trustee of the Cemeteries. and as Clerk to the Trustees.
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A word from the chairman ....
Hello ! Welcome to the first edition of the Bedford Cemetery Views, our new bi-monthly newsletter for 2009. As the scope of the Friends of the Bedford Cemeteries group grows, we are enjoying a boost in membership. This newsletter will allow us to tell more Bedford residents about out efforts.
We are a private/public group working with the Town of Bedford to restore and maintain the four historic Bedford cemeteries.
I hope that you will attend our first Annual Meeting on Wednesday January 21, 2009 at 7:30 PM to learn about the many new things happening at your town's cemeteries.
Sincerely,
John Wood, Chairman
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We Need Your Help
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Over time, gravestones show wear from environmental damage. Acid rain, hard water, dirt, mold,lichen and human mishandling will contribute to the deterioration of stones. Careful maintenance, including proper cleaning and careful repair will aid gravestone longevity. Your recognition of the value of the cultural resources will help ensure the they are properly respected. Mindful care of the artifacts and the landscape will enable us to preserve the historical value of these unique objects.
How you can help
Visit our interesting and serene graveyards to better understand their cultural significance
Do not rub or otherwise disturb the standing or stones that may have toppled
Volunteer your time in helping clean the stones
Become a member of the Friends of the Bedford Cemeteries.
Become a member today! Click here.
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