Williamsport Cemetery

Several veteran's organizations have stepped forth to provide assistance with cemetery maintenance for the next couple of months. As a non-profit entity, the Williamsport Cemetery Organization has very limited financial resources to provide ongoing maintenance, an issue that has likely been in existence for around the last one hundred years, as demonstrated by articles from the Gazette & Bulletin, the precursor to the Williamsport Sun Gazette, in the years 1928 and 1931. Sinc...e there have been few recent burials and costs have increased so much in the way of labor and equipment--and donations have been very low with the exception of occasional amounts from the preceding mentioned organizations, cemetery maintenance funds are decreasing, not increasing. As we all well know, interest rates are abysmally low now as well, leading to further problems in funding. So, this has been an ongoing problem. Years back, most families provided the regular care for their deceased ancestors' final resting places, and for those without perpetual care arrangements (which, for many cemeteries, is not feasible now given the increasing cost of labor and equipment that has far outpaced the dollar amounts initially provided one hundred years, or even fifty years, ago-- that whole inflation issue), a caretaker sometimes provided maintenance for a very low sum. In some instances, work was even provided on a barter basis; a family might provide maintenance service in exchange for free rent or some other incentive. Communities now often provide assistance with upkeep, either through monetary donations or physical labor. For cemeteries that are relatively large and still used frequently for new burials, like Wildwood or Montoursville, this is not usually an issue. For much older and smaller burial grounds, such as the Williamsport Cemetery, community assistance is very much needed and appreciated, as opposed to an outlay of $400-$600 dollars every few weeks (or more often depending on the weather and storm conditions) in the summer. Cemeteries are not eligible for government funding for upkeep, with the exception of those grounds intended solely for veterans and their families. So, at some point, many, if not most, cemeteries hit a financial wall and must depend on public assistance. Just because a cemetery has historic significance does not guarantee funding, so the fact the founder of Williamsport and a past governor are interred in this cemetery means nothing as far as the state or federal government is concerned. The Williamsport Cemetery is really only important to its local citizens, just as every other small and locally historic cemetery in every other community in every other state is generally only important to its citizens. All who contribute, either through the sweat of your brow or the dollars from your pocket, you are very much appreciated. Thank you.

If someone you know was part of this work group, please pass this along to them.

A special shout-out and thanks to the people who worked at the Williamsport Cemetery over the weekend. Your assistance and care was very much appreciated. As a non-profit entity presided over by a Board of Directors, the Williamsport Cemetery has a very limited funding source to draw from in order to maintain it during the year. This summer has been exceptionally difficult due to the frequent rain leading to unusual growth in vegetation. This led to an unexpected increase in ...the cost of landscaping and maintenance work, one the cemetery was unable to meet with its very limited resources. It is only through the help and aid of caring citizens such as those above that these historic grounds can be adequately maintained and kept in decent condition. Please contact the Williamsport Cemetery through this page if you are willing and able to assist through your local civic-minded group. See more