Alan Crawford

In conjunction with the New York State Division of Cemeteries promoting a state wide day on April 27, 2024, for volunteers to step up and make a difference, the Rossville Cemetery Association will host a grave marker cleaning workshop for those interested in learning the proper technique as well as opening the doors to the Rossville Church so people can view the interior to see all the improvements which were accomplished last year. Much of this was achieved by working with Warner Brothers Max which filmed a number of scenes there for their series “Pretty Little Liars – Summer School” which begins airing on May 9th. Many interior photos of the completed work are posted on our website, rossvillecemtery.org.

We do request you contact us and reserve a place if you’re interested in the grave marker cleaning workshop as we limit the number of people. We will provide everything you need other than your enthusiasm and dedication. You can respond by either dropping an email to myself, Alan B. Crawford, Town of Newburgh Historian (email: historian@townofnewburgh.org) or to the Rossville Cemetery Association (email: rossvillecemeterynb@gmail.com). Please provide us with your contact information so we can confirm you are registered.

We will also be doing a spring cleanup of the grounds at the same time, picking up tree branches, rubbish, and such. The more hands the easier the work! If you want to pitch in, bring some gloves. We’ll supply bags and the disposal of everything you pick up. We’ll have water on hand to keep everyone hydrated, and perhaps a few homemade snacks to give your metabolism a sugar boost! Hoping to see many smiling faces joining in.

We’ve begun the process of applying for funds through the NYS Division of Cemeteries to repair and restore some grave markers. We’ve done a tour with their representative and identified 40 eligible markers. We will be posting notices to solicit bids in the near future in area newspapers, hopefully completing this phase by late summer. Once this is done we hope to begin the actual work in the fall. If you have family interred here, and desire any work to be done to a particular marker, we will be putting together a list so the approved contractor can review what you want to have done and provide you with an estimated cost.

This past week, the landscaper we’ve retained has begun putting in perennial flower beds. The weather before our event will determine what state of completion they are in when you arrive. We do have artist renditions of the finished concept so you’ll be able to see the vision we have.

We hope to begin offering the site for weddings this year and invite you to visit us! For information, upcoming events, and history, please visit us on our website: rossvillecemetery.org. We periodically add items, particularly genealogical related documents to aid people researching their ancestors.