Restoration of the historic South Side Cemetery

INTRO:

 

This appeal directly funds the next phase of the South Side Cemetery Association's effort to revive and restore a long-neglected (and nearly forgotten) historic burial ground located in Saratoga Springs, NY.

 

The civic group's ultimate mission is to present a public visitation space for local & national history buffs, family-tree hunters, neighbors and general / recreational sightseers.

 

 

BACKGROUND:

 

History is a core component of the City of Saratoga Springs' being, as reflected in its motto of Health - History - Horses. The restoration of the long-neglected property presents an opportunity to claim a piece of local history --- and offer it to the public.

 

Located on Crescent Avenue, just a short 1300' east of Rt 9/South Broadway (opposite the two adjoining Spa Park bathhouses) sits a curious 1.3 acre parcel that was originally called The Whitford Cemetery.

 

With a first-recorded burial in 1801 that pre-dates even the earliest of the Putnam family in their more-famous resting spots on the West Side of town, it is therefore the oldest existing cemetery in the Saratoga.

 

In 1869, local lawyer John Eddy represented a group of fellow plot owners to form the South Side Cemetery Association of Saratoga Springs, (SSCA) as a not-for-profit under various NYS laws. They proceeded to buy the land from the Whitford family, with the deed covenant stating that it would forever be maintained as a cemetery.

 

Over 540 have been laid to rest here, including early Saratoga settlers/pioneers as well as many military service veterans, including those from:

Burials ceased in 2002.

 

Since then, the effects of changing legalities, family dynamics/relocations, the corresponding troubling finances -- and plain old TIME -- created a setting where general maintenance and management of the site became problematic. The result was a gradual transition and decline of the property to one that appeared abandoned or derelict -- though it was not technically either.

 

In 2000, and again in 2021, descendants and other interested parties reorganized the non-profit cemetery association, with the intention of cleaning up the cemetery and restoring its subtle glory.

 

Reference Links:

Key Facts of the Cemetery

A Call for Trustees

A New Makeover and New Leadership

Back to a Local Board

 

THE NEED

 

Association trustees have put together a multi-step PLAN that "gets them there" to the stated mission of offering a reflective space to the general public.

 

Part One of that Plan -- the initial Clean-Out -- has been accomplished.

 

The Funding from this appeal is to directly fund Part Two:

 

**** Purchase & Install the required PROPERTY FENCING.

Required, as per insurance / liability, neighborhood, local code, maintenance and general timeline details.

 

Any amount helps, and will go DIRECTLY to the Association and DIRECTLY to this usage; as per:

 

DISCLAIMERS