Historic Riverview Cemetery Preserv
Donation protected
Julia-Ann Square Historical District
PO Box 966
Parkersburg, WV 26102-0966
The Julia-Ann Square Historical Community Association, Inc. is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the largest and oldest historic district in West Virginia. The majority of the homes in the Julia-Ann Square Historic District date c. 1840 to 1910. The entire Julia-Ann Square was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. The historic Riverview Cemetery is located within the Julia-Ann Square District.
The Riverview Cemetery Preservation Committee was formed in 2013 with members from Julia-Ann Square Association, Wood County Historical Preservation Society, Wood County Landmarks Commission, and other members representing family descendants interred in the cemetery. The committee was formed due to the cemetery's deteriorating condition; downed trees, debris, overgrowth of weeds and torn damaged fencing. The current goal for Julia-Ann Square Association in the cemetery restoration is to replace the deteriorated, damaged chain link fencing with wrought iron to resemble the original iron fence, repair deteriorated tomb stones, and provide assistance with continual maintenance. The Association plans to partner with other historic organizations, seek grants, and donations to complete the project. The ultimate goal of the Julia-Ann Association Riverview Cemetery Preservation Committee is to preserve and restore this historic landmark for future generations.
Two Former WV Governors, the first US Senator after WV gained statehood, early prominent legislators involved with WV Statehood, and pioneer settlers are buried here. Henry Logan with his wife founded the Henry Logan Children’s Home. The grand monument to Henry Logan is a must-see for all visitors. US Senator Peter VanWinkle (the first US Senator after 1863 WV statehood) is featured in John F. Kennedy’s book; Profiles in Courage. Soon to be President Kennedy, while campaigning in Parkersburg in 1960, visited the grave of Sen. VanWinkle in Riverview Cemetery as well as the Senator’s old home on Ann Street. The tombstones honoring the former Governors, Clara Diss Debar, the young wife of Joseph Diss Debar (Creator of the Seal of the West Virginia State Flag; bearing the motto “Montani Semper Liberi” which means “Mountaineers Always Free”. “The Weeping Woman Monument” for Lily Irene Jackson, daughter of Judge John Jackson, who personally knew and visited President Abraham Lincoln at the White House, the Civil War Soldiers, the former house slaves buried near their masters; the famous people interred in the cemetery represent a treasure trove of history for visitors; and will inspire all those visitors with an appreciation of the history of our great state.
The Julia-Ann Square Association is pleased to announce Phase One, Phase Two, and Phase Three of the Riverview Cemetery fencing project is now complete. Phase Four will complete the iron fence installation on the southwest (alley side). This final phase to begin April 2017. As funds are acquired, the goal is to complete the fencing on the alley perimeter and purchase a permanent marker listing all major donors and Grantors. At the completion of Phase Four, a dedication ceremony is also planned to honor all contributors to the preservation of Historic Riverview Cemetery located within the Julia-Ann Square District.
To date, donations and grant awards for the Cemetery Fund have provided for the completion of new iron fencing around three sides of the cemetery. Donations from Go Fund Me will help the Julia-Ann Square Association complete this important project this year.
For more information on the Julia-Ann Square Historic District, please visit our website at www.juliannsquare.org
Kathryn Harris
Treasurer
Julia-Ann Square Historical Community Association, Inc.
PO Box 966
Parkersburg, WV 26102-0966
The Julia-Ann Square Historical Community Association, Inc. is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the largest and oldest historic district in West Virginia. The majority of the homes in the Julia-Ann Square Historic District date c. 1840 to 1910. The entire Julia-Ann Square was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. The historic Riverview Cemetery is located within the Julia-Ann Square District.
The Riverview Cemetery Preservation Committee was formed in 2013 with members from Julia-Ann Square Association, Wood County Historical Preservation Society, Wood County Landmarks Commission, and other members representing family descendants interred in the cemetery. The committee was formed due to the cemetery's deteriorating condition; downed trees, debris, overgrowth of weeds and torn damaged fencing. The current goal for Julia-Ann Square Association in the cemetery restoration is to replace the deteriorated, damaged chain link fencing with wrought iron to resemble the original iron fence, repair deteriorated tomb stones, and provide assistance with continual maintenance. The Association plans to partner with other historic organizations, seek grants, and donations to complete the project. The ultimate goal of the Julia-Ann Association Riverview Cemetery Preservation Committee is to preserve and restore this historic landmark for future generations.
Two Former WV Governors, the first US Senator after WV gained statehood, early prominent legislators involved with WV Statehood, and pioneer settlers are buried here. Henry Logan with his wife founded the Henry Logan Children’s Home. The grand monument to Henry Logan is a must-see for all visitors. US Senator Peter VanWinkle (the first US Senator after 1863 WV statehood) is featured in John F. Kennedy’s book; Profiles in Courage. Soon to be President Kennedy, while campaigning in Parkersburg in 1960, visited the grave of Sen. VanWinkle in Riverview Cemetery as well as the Senator’s old home on Ann Street. The tombstones honoring the former Governors, Clara Diss Debar, the young wife of Joseph Diss Debar (Creator of the Seal of the West Virginia State Flag; bearing the motto “Montani Semper Liberi” which means “Mountaineers Always Free”. “The Weeping Woman Monument” for Lily Irene Jackson, daughter of Judge John Jackson, who personally knew and visited President Abraham Lincoln at the White House, the Civil War Soldiers, the former house slaves buried near their masters; the famous people interred in the cemetery represent a treasure trove of history for visitors; and will inspire all those visitors with an appreciation of the history of our great state.
The Julia-Ann Square Association is pleased to announce Phase One, Phase Two, and Phase Three of the Riverview Cemetery fencing project is now complete. Phase Four will complete the iron fence installation on the southwest (alley side). This final phase to begin April 2017. As funds are acquired, the goal is to complete the fencing on the alley perimeter and purchase a permanent marker listing all major donors and Grantors. At the completion of Phase Four, a dedication ceremony is also planned to honor all contributors to the preservation of Historic Riverview Cemetery located within the Julia-Ann Square District.
To date, donations and grant awards for the Cemetery Fund have provided for the completion of new iron fencing around three sides of the cemetery. Donations from Go Fund Me will help the Julia-Ann Square Association complete this important project this year.
For more information on the Julia-Ann Square Historic District, please visit our website at www.juliannsquare.org
Kathryn Harris
Treasurer
Julia-Ann Square Historical Community Association, Inc.
Organizer and beneficiary
Kathryn Harris
Organizer
Parkersburg, WV
Julia-Ann Square Historic District
Beneficiary
