Gulfport, FL – Lincoln Cemetery Society Inc. (a Florida NOT FOR PROFIT COMPANY), who has recently accepted ownership of Lincoln Cemetery located at 600 58th St. Gulport, FL 33707, has been busy building the infrastructure and the working the details necessary to restore and preserve this historic predominately African American cemetery. To help to reach-out to the community, and inform the public of the society’s plans and intentions for the property, the society has launched a new website at: www.LincolnCemeterySociety.org earlier this month.
Within the site is a plethora of information about the Lincoln Cemetery including; News, Event Calendar, History, Records Archives, and a new page dedicated to collecting and archiving the stories from “Families” of those that are laid to rest there.
The Society is currently working on several books including; one, in conjunction with a local school, and another, on the more recent history leading up to the Lincoln Cemetery Society’s acquisition and current events.
The Lincoln Cemetery Society has just hosted their monthly Cemetery Cleanup last Tuesday, March 4th, 2017 and continues to make strides on clearing the perimeter of the property and uncovering lost headstones. Seven headstones were uncovered during this month’s cemetery cleanup! Future cleanups are already posted on the Event Calendar located on the new website.
Vanessa Gray, President of Lincoln Cemetery Society Inc. stated “We have already started collecting donations online with a GoFundME account on our website.” She explained, “This was set up to help pay the outstanding liens placed on the property by the City of Gulfport prior to the society taking possession.” “We will be expanding our fundraising efforts to include funding for short-range and long-range initiatives,” She added. Look online over the next few months for information on a major fundraiser that will begin funding a new perpetual care fund for the cemetery.
The top 10 initiatives also posted on the new website under the “Action Plan” tab:
Top 10 Objectives:
Remove growth from fence-line of property
Remove growth from around trees
Trim old and damaged trees
Uncover and catalog lost or forgotten headstones
Update plot maps with new found headstones
Improve entrance and easements
Install gates and fencing around property
Install signage and cameras at entrance
Install flag pole at entrance
Fill any damaged or sunken grave sites
A detailed PDF of the ACTION PLAN will be published and available online soon. It will include details on; short, medium, and long-range goals for Lincoln Cemetery and Lincoln Cemetery Society Inc. along with; a fundraising strategy, grant proposals, perpetual endowment initiative, and restoration and preservation programs. We invite everyone who would like to support this cause to join us! You can get involved and keep in touch by submitting your contact information on our “Get Involved” tab on the new website. Doing so will also sign you up to receive our newsletter!
For the latest information visit:
Web URL http://www.lincolncemeterysociety.org
For comment contact:
Email: LincolnCemeterySociety@gmail.com
or, Call: Vanessa Gray
President – Lincoln Cemetery Society Inc.
(727) 280-6635
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