Friends of the City Cemeteries
Villa Rica, Georgia
Preserving the Legacy of Our City's Cemeteries
Why Cemetery Preservation Matters
"Show me the manner in which a nation cares for its dead, and I will measure with mathematical exactness the tender mercies of its people, their respect for the laws of the land, and their loyalty to high ideals."
- William Ewart Gladstone (1809-1898)
Cemeteries act as open-air museums that provide tangible links to the past and clues to unraveling our history. Here we find the people who made our city what it is, and by preserving their graves, we are helping to preserve their stories.
As we work to preserve the memories of the dead, we also strive to provide a beautiful space where the living can contemplate our shared history. This shared history is not abstract when we can tie it to a specific person or event. In cemeteries, we can do that.
Our Approach
Preserving our city's cemeteries is a passion shared by our volunteers.
We work tirelessly to ensure that the final resting places of our loved ones are maintained with the utmost care and respect. Our team comprises dedicated volunteers who share our vision for a city where the legacy of our ancestors is celebrated and cherished. Join us in our efforts to preserve the past and honor those who came before us.
We follow sound maintenance techniques for cemeteries that are sustainable, cyclic, non-invasive, and do no harm.
Our workdays will find us properly cleaning grave markers, safely resetting headstones, maintaining and improving the landscaping, and documenting all of the above.
Our
Projects
We are passionate about preserving the precious legacies of our ancestors, and we achieve this through our various programs and projects. Our dedicated team of volunteers is committed to restoring and protecting the historical and cultural significance of Villa Rica's three city-owned cemeteries. We also strive to educate the community on the significance of these cemeteries and their role in our history.
We are committed to preserving the integrity of Villa Rica's cemeteries through our cemetery preservation programs. Through cleaning and repairing, our team of dedicated volunteers works tirelessly to ensure that these cemeteries remain a lasting legacy of our ancestors.
Education
We strive to educate the community on the significance of Villa Rica's cemeteries. Our outreach programs aim to educate and involve the community in our mission to protect and restore these precious legacies.
Cemetery Maintenance
We recognize the importance of regular maintenance in preserving Villa Rica's cemeteries. Volunteers meet periodically for general clean-up, pruning, weeding, and planting.
Obituary Project
Our Obituary Project offers users a glimpse into the lives of those buried in our cemeteries. Each link takes the user to an obituary or other genealogy information for each person.
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Please see our contact page if you have an obituary for one of our burials.
Walking Tours
Our members are currently working on a brochure for a self-guided walk through each cemetery.
Please see our contact page if you would like to volunteer to help with this exciting project.
Veterans
The city of Villa Rica is honored to be the final resting place of hundreds of known Military Veterans.
Our
Accomplishments
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September 22, 2020 - Friends of the City Cemeteries was established, a Facebook profile was created
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October 6, 2020 - First business meeting - officers elected, bylaws reviewed, projects discussed
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March 2021 - Tax-exemption established through the Community Foundation of West Georgia
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September 2021 - Friends of the City Cemeteries website published
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March 2022 - Hillcrest Tree and Limb Project 40 trees cut and trimmed
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November 2022 - 14 Camillas replanted along fencing in the Old Section of Hillcrest
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January 2023 - Villa Rica City Council passes updated City Cemetery Ordinance
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April 2023 - City crews begin to grind tree stumps at Hillcrest and Old Town Cemeteries
Click the links below for a detailed list of accomplishments at each cemetery.