Completed Projects

• Voters approve $ 150,000 for Oakland Cemetery in bond issue

  The bond issue approved by the voters in the April2nd bond election included $150,000 for capital improvements for Oakland Cemetery. These funds will be used to obtain matching grants from private and governmental agencies and foundations.

• Study Completed on Emergency Work and Top Priority Sites

  Ms. Shelley Sass of Shelley Sass Conservation, Inc. completed her study and submitted recommendations regarding emergency work and top priority sites in the cemetery as they relate to monuments, headstones, etc.

• Families of Oakland Organization Wraps Up Fundraiser

  The Families of Oakland Cemetery organization has just wrapped up a successful fundraiser to fund a study by nationally-known Conservator, Shelley Sass, to assist the board in identifying and classifying the grave stones and monuments in the cemetery.

• Families of Oakland Organization is Formed

  The Families of Oakland Cemetery organization was formed. This group will provide valuable input from the actual lot owners’ perspective of improvements they would like to see in the cemetery. Anna Maria Sparke Keele is the Chairperson for this group.

• John Emerson Completes Master Plan Study

  John Emerson completed his Master Plan Study, and the results may be seen on a graphic of the cemetery showing an overview of the changes to be made.

• Received Report from Suzanne Turner of Suzanne Turner and Associates, Baton Rouge

  This report presented a preservation strategy and its implications for the upcoming landscape plan. It will be used by Jon Emerson as he designs a physical plan for the cemetery.

• Received Report from Fran Gale, Architectural Conservator

  This report provided a brief site description, summarized existing conditions and discussed the work needed to restore the cemetery.

• Entrance Repair Finished

  The City of Shreveport has used grant funds to repair the entrance to Oakland Cemetery. Craftsman contractors have meticulously poured new concrete gate forms. The gates have been restored by the original manufacturer, Stewart Iron Works in Covington, Kentucky. According to city planner and OCPS board member Tim Wachtel, the grant has some remaining funds for preservations of the walls and gates. Please drive by and see the newly restored entrance!

• Produced and Published Oakland Cemetery Web Site

  An Web site was produced for Oakland Cemetery by Mr. James Bobbitt, who also made a generous donation to the cemetery. Its location is www.oaklandcemeteryla.org, and it will soon contain the results of Dr. Joiner’s GIS efforts