Thanks to the support of our members and the dedication of our volunteers, Save Austin’s Cemeteries has accomplished great things in the past year! Here are some highlights of 2010 activities and accomplishments:
Educational Events
- October 31, 2009: Murder, Mayhem & Misadventure III tour
- February 20, 2010: Texas Republic tour
- Private tours for schools and scout troops
- Quarterly SAC meetings with guest speakers:
- July: Larry Jones on stone conservation
- October 10: Carlos Alba on paranormal investigations
- January: Dr. David Gracy on the George Littlefield Family
- April 10: Aditi Worcester on family videography
Preservation Activities
- Plot and gravestone documentation sessions are being held every 1st Saturday (weather permitting). This documentation helps track the condition of cemetery features, and also helps us help the families who own the cemetery plots.
- Austin Parks Foundation: It's My Park Day – On April 6, 2010 over 25 volunteers showed up to help clear trash that had accumulated between Plummers Cemetery and Givens Park.
- SAC treasurer Dale Flatt prepared the application for Oakwood Cemetery to be registered as a Historic Texas Cemetery by the Texas Historical Commission.
Outreach
- SAC is pleased to work with individuals and companies seeking community service opportunities. In the past year we had individuals, sorority groups, and a team from Whole Foods conducting headstone photo-documentation as their contribution to improving the Austin community.
- We’ve added Paypal to our website for donations and memberships.
- Our quarterly E-newsletter for members was launched in April 2010.
- Check out the new online store selling SAC products. Proceeds benefit SAC projects such as the Chapel Restoration Project.
Upcoming projects:
We have registered Oakwood Cemetery with the Department of Parks and Recreation’s “Adopt-a-Park” program. This allows us to sponsor physical improvement projects, and apply for Austin Parks Foundation grants.
Oakwood Cemetery Chapel Restoration Feasibility Study – The architecture firm of Heimsath & Associates is working with SAC and our Building Committee to develop a vision for the revitalization of the Chapel and preliminary architectural solutions. Based on the feasibility study findings, we’ll be able to launch a capital campaign to secure the funds necessary to bring that vision to life!
Based on lessons learned about applying for Historic Texas Cemetery designation, we will prepare the application to recognize Plummers Cemetery with the THC designation.
Upcoming events:
- Documentation sessions every 1st Saturday (until it gets too hot!)
- Putting their Mark on Austin -- walking tour May 8
- Guest speaker Danny Camacho on Ethnic Heritage in Austin July 10
- Guest speaker David Martin on Austin's Ties to the Mier Expedition October 9
- National Trust for Historic Preservation annual conference – featured tour! Oct 29
- Murder, Mayhem & Misadventure IV tour Oct 30
- Texas Art Educators Association tour Nov 13
