Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries (OCHC) has awarded $60,556 in grants to 11 historic cemetery projects throughout the state through the Historic Cemeteries Grant program. The funds will help support preservation efforts, tree care and access. Individual award amounts ranged from $2,500 - $10,900.

Funded projects:

• Gate installation and marker repair at the Antelope Cemetery in Wasco County.
• Ground Penetrating Radar interpretation and organizational structuring for Blue Mountain Kees Cemetery in Umatilla County.
• Monument repair at the Lebanon Pioneer Cemetery in Linn County.
• Monument repair at the IOOF Eastwood Cemetery in Medford.
• Install a fence at the Shelton Jordan Cemetery in Linn County.
• Monument repair at Lee Mission Cemetery in Salem.
• Trim trees and remove dead trees at Logtown Cemetery in Jackson County.
• Repair monuments and hold a marker cleaning workshop at Luper Cemetery in Lane County.
• Complete land survey at North Powder Cemetery in Union County.
• Remove hazard trees at Phoenix Pioneer Cemetery in Jackson County.
• Repair monuments at Rock Creek Cemetery in Clackamas County.

Historic cemeteries are documented by OCHC and must include the burial of at least one person who died 75 years before the current date.

The historic cemetery grant program is offered annually by the OCHC, part of the Oregon Heritage Program at Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). The grant program is supported by lottery and other funds.

OCHC maintains a list of all pioneer and historic cemeteries in the state. The seven-member appointed commission helps people and organizations document, preserve and promote designated historic cemeteries statewide.

For more information about the grant program or the OCHC, visit www.oregonheritage.org or contact Kuri Gill at Kuri.gill@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-986-0685.