Restore Vandalized Memorial
Tax deductible
Please help restore the memorial at Riverside Cemetery in Denver! It was nearly destroyed by vandalism on June 16th.
Founded in 1876, the same year Colorado gained Statehood to the Union, and the same year the nation held its Centennial Celebration, Riverside Cemetery is the longest continually operating cemetery in Denver, and one of the most significant historical resources in Colorado. Noting the importance of the 77-acre site, the cemetery was designated a National Historic District in 1992.
Riverside Cemetery is the final resting place for many veterans from the Civil War, and there are memorials for both Union and Confederate soldiers. The Confederate memorial has been vandalized four times in the last few years. The latest act of violence nearly destroyed it.
The memorial features a square of white marble gravel surrounded by flagstones. A path of engraved paving stones divides it in half. The First National flag flew from a 30' flagpole in the center of the square. A granite headstone with an inscription dedicating the memorial to the Confederate dead sat next to the flagpole. A flagstone bench sat next to the square.
Every feature of the memorial was damaged during the most recent vandalism.
1. The flagstones were spray painted with black paint.
2. The marble gravel was spray painted with black paint and urinated upon.
3. The granite headstone was pulled out of the ground and spray painted with black paint.
4. Engraved paving stones were pulled out of the ground, spray painted with black paint, and further damaged by attempts to smash them.
5. The flag pole was broken and spray painted with black paint.
6. The First National flag was stolen.
7. The bench was broken.
Some of the damage can be repaired, but other elements will need to be replaced.
As with prior vandalism, a police report was filed, but the police are not optimistic about catching the perpetrator. Property crimes are often difficult to solve and they do not receive the same effort or attention as other types of crimes.
Please donate whatever you can to help restore this memorial!
Funds will be used to restore the memorial. Any extra funds raised will be used for security improvements at the site and other efforts to deter further vandalism.
Thank you for your support!
Founded in 1876, the same year Colorado gained Statehood to the Union, and the same year the nation held its Centennial Celebration, Riverside Cemetery is the longest continually operating cemetery in Denver, and one of the most significant historical resources in Colorado. Noting the importance of the 77-acre site, the cemetery was designated a National Historic District in 1992.
Riverside Cemetery is the final resting place for many veterans from the Civil War, and there are memorials for both Union and Confederate soldiers. The Confederate memorial has been vandalized four times in the last few years. The latest act of violence nearly destroyed it.
The memorial features a square of white marble gravel surrounded by flagstones. A path of engraved paving stones divides it in half. The First National flag flew from a 30' flagpole in the center of the square. A granite headstone with an inscription dedicating the memorial to the Confederate dead sat next to the flagpole. A flagstone bench sat next to the square.
Every feature of the memorial was damaged during the most recent vandalism.
1. The flagstones were spray painted with black paint.
2. The marble gravel was spray painted with black paint and urinated upon.
3. The granite headstone was pulled out of the ground and spray painted with black paint.
4. Engraved paving stones were pulled out of the ground, spray painted with black paint, and further damaged by attempts to smash them.
5. The flag pole was broken and spray painted with black paint.
6. The First National flag was stolen.
7. The bench was broken.
Some of the damage can be repaired, but other elements will need to be replaced.
As with prior vandalism, a police report was filed, but the police are not optimistic about catching the perpetrator. Property crimes are often difficult to solve and they do not receive the same effort or attention as other types of crimes.
Please donate whatever you can to help restore this memorial!
Funds will be used to restore the memorial. Any extra funds raised will be used for security improvements at the site and other efforts to deter further vandalism.
Thank you for your support!
Organizer
Joel Steverson
Organizer
Denver, CO
Sons of Confederate Veterans Inc (175 Jefferson Davis)
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.
