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Bellefonte Gazette April 23 2005, page 1, 3
Bellefonte's Union Cemetery
By Paul Badger
"We have a valuable historic treasure here within the Borough know as the Union Cemetery. To list just a few of the forefathers therein Evan Pugh, Harvey Mann, Daniel Hastings, Hugh McAllister, Edward Humes, Gen. James Irvin, W. Fred Reynolds, Rev. James Linn, John McCoy, James A. Beaver and soldiers from the Spanish-American War to the present.
With this writing' I am not equipped to provide the cemetery's history, but would just attempt to create a sense of community that might bring attention to the cemetery and stir your desires to become involved in its preservation.
The undertaking of a community vision project might include if not start with our very roots.
Let's look for a moment - at the fundamental make-up of the Bellefonte Cemetery Association. Its operation and maintenance is overseen by a board of volunteers. These folks donate their time (and have since the cemetery's beginning) for various reasons. Foremost would be because of a family interest where it is the final resting place for relatives. Others might be lot owners yet others might be concerned with the aesthetics or the 19 acres of memorials within our Borough.
A burial plot is purchased and set aside for one purpose - for eternity once purchased the lot is no longer owned by the Cemetery Association. The Association acts very much like a condo association of today. The owners can be responsible for establishing a board to supervise maintenance as well as the ongoing sales of lots and record keeping.
Until about the 1950s the upkeep of the grave sites was the responsibility of the owner. There was the option of perpetual care but it was not required.
An effort, for the sake of uniform maintenance of the cemetery, was put forth to enroll all owners to participate in perennial care.
At the time (around 1950) - the payment of $100 would purchase perpetual care. As an option, annual care could be paid at $5.00 per year. Unfortunately those family members with a sense of moral responsibility for their ancestors didn't live forever.
There is a large area of grave sites in the "old section" nearest the county jail that has been maintained for hundreds of years without perpetual care. Also, if you look at the earning potential of $100 @3% per year (50's, 60's rates) you would need to mow the grave all summer for about $3.00. Maybe this could have been done in the 50s. I don't know.
What we do know is that $3.00 a year or even $6.00 or $10.00 a year ($100 @ 10%) would not pay to mow grave sites today.
In the past, cemetery maintenance costs far exceeded the earnings available to cover expenses. Despite all efforts it was necessary to invade principal dollars to meet just the minimum mowing requirements.
Two years ago the Bellefonte Cemetery Association no longer had enough income to meet mowing requirements and looked to the Borough of Bellefonte for help.
Since then with the assistance of a few Borough employees, the county jail inmates and dedicated volunteers from the community the maintenance has been adequate.
Should Borough funds be used to maintain a cemetery for the benefit of a few? Wouldn't it be better if the heirs and relatives and community volunteers take on this responsibility?
Volunteers are needed to polish this jewel in the heart of our community.
A list of opportunities would be: Board members, Maintenance volunteers, Record keeping volunteers, In kind work projects - paving, sidewalks, monument repair, Equipment donations
But most of all the treasury needs to be rebuilt to a point where investment earnings and growth will provide for future maintenance costs (monetary donations). Adjustments have been made over time in lot sale costs, perpetual care, and burial fees but these efforts will not meet the shortcomings of the past.
In summary, think of what you can do. We all have different attributes, and views of assistance ability. The Union Cemetery can use a variety of help. Let's start our vision of the future by preserving the past for many generations to come.
Your input is solicited. The Bellefonte Cemetery Association can be reached at P.O. Box 342; Bellefonte, PA 16823."
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