The City of Delaware is working to position Oak Grove Cemetery as a welcoming and accessible place for people to search for loved ones and learn about the city’s history. Established in the 1850s with the purchase of 50 acres of Kilbourne Farm, Oak Grove has since become a 70-acre park-like setting with 21,000 gravesites. The city is offering monthly tours on various subjects, including nature and history, to make the cemetery more engaging for the public.
Cemetery Administrator Amy Wright highlighted the importance of Oak Grove, stating that it tells the story of Delaware’s community through the people buried there, who range from pastors and educators to laborers and their families. The cemetery recently unveiled Veterans Plaza West, a space dedicated to hosting ceremonies for veterans.
Looking to the future, the city plans to develop undeveloped spaces within Oak Grove to offer different options for burial, considering the changing preferences in the funeral industry. While acknowledging the challenges of maintaining a cemetery, Wright emphasized the commitment of the parks department team to preserving Oak Grove’s historical and park-like qualities.
With a focus on sharing the cemetery’s rich history and providing a peaceful environment for visitors, Oak Grove Cemetery is poised to remain an important part of Delaware’s past and future. For more information on Oak Grove Cemetery and its upcoming events and tours, contact Glenn Battishill at 740-413-0903.
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