President's Message

Spring 2009

by Hines Vaughan

Much progress has been made by the Oakland Cemetery Preservation Society (OCPS) over the last year. While this work, consisting of analysis and planning, has been noteworthy and important to the process of rehabilitating the cemetery, a visitor to the cemetery might not see the actual progress. (See Newsletter). This is about to change.

First of all, the OCPS Board had to determine how to go about the preservation/restoration work. Would we want to take the cemetery back to a specific date? Should we just improve on what is there? Or, should we adopt a Rehabilitation approach? These are very important questions

The board decided on Rehabilitation (leaning toward Preservation) that maintains a physical record of all the history of the cemetery, but that the interpretation will emphasize the "historical values" of 1860-1890. Rehabilitation: "the act or process of making possible a compatible use for a property through repair, alterations, and additions while preserving those portions or features which convey its historical, cultural, or architectural values for a new use."

With this information in hand , our landscape architect, Jon Emerson and Historical Conservator will be able to better plan for the work ahead.

Plans now call for hiring a nationally known Restoration Conservator to assist the board in identifying and classifying the grave stones and monuments in the cemetery. This information will allow us to ensure that these treasures are restored to their original beauty and content.

This person's report will be made at a public gathering.

Next, the final Landscape Design concept will be presented to the public by Jon Emerson. The report will show how the cemetery will be physically laid out with associated infrastructure.

The next steps will include the actual construction work at the cemetery and the preservation/restoration of the tombstone and monuments.

The year 2009 should be one that we can look forward to with pride as we continue to bring "North Louisiana's Most Historic Landmark" back to its former glory.

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