Milk Row Cemetery Update to Open Space Component of 2002 - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Milk Row Cemetery

Update to Open Space Component of 2002 Preservation Master Plan

FY’17 Community Preservation Act (CPA) Applicant Somerville Historic Preservation Commission

• J. Brandon Wilson, Executive Director

Milk Row Cemetery

• Significance
• Established in 1804
• Contains what is thought to the be oldest Civil War soldiers’

monument erected by citizens in the United States (1863)

• Historic designation on the local, state, and national level
• One of few dedicated open spaces in Union Square proper
• Current Use
• Passive Recreation
• Educational Instruction

Preservation Master Plan Summary

• Restore Perimeter Fencing and Gates
• Open up & Improve Cemetery Landscaping & Furniture
• Improve Internal Circulation for Pedestrians & Vehicles
• Provide Universal Access within and into Burial Ground
• Enhance & Facilitate Public Entry and Use
• Maintain Health of Large American Elm Tree
• Stabilize, Clean, and Treat Civil War Monument
• Rehabilitate 8 Tomb Facades, Vault and Wall
• Reset and Conserve All Deteriorated Grave Markers
• Optimize Site for Passive Recreation & Appreciation of

Somerville’s Cultural Heritage

Project Progress

• Phase One: Prepare Preservation Master Plan
• DEM State grant ($34,000) and Federal funding from

CDBG

• May - Sept. 2002 (Total Project: $50,000)
• Phase Two: Monument and grave marker conservation,

tomb reconstruction (2), accessibility, and landscaping

• Mass. Historical Commission (MHC) State grant ($55,205)
• 2005-2006 (Total Project: $140,037)
• Phase Three: Perimeter improvements to fencing, ADA

accessibility, more historic landscaping, and addition of on- site water source, benches, trash cans, & bicycle rack

• Mix of private and public (state/local/federal) funding
• 2009-2012, with additional landscaping still in progress

Project Progress (continued)

• Phase Four: Greater public access and use through public

programming

• Annual events, docent-led tours, and school trips
• Ongoing
• Phase Five: Rehabilitation of all 8 tomb facades
• Remaining six tombs rehabilitated in the late spring

and early summer of 2016

• FY’15 CPA grant ($48,360) & additional $11,300 from

State, City & CPA due to unforeseen conditions at previously rehabilitated tombs 7 & 8;

• Revised Total Project: $106,675

Project Progress (continued)

• Phase Six: Reset & Conserve All Deteriorated Grave Markers
• FY’16 CPA grant ($26,808 less $6,300 borrowed for

FY’15 CPA grant completion); now available: $20,508

• TOTAL COSTS:
• To preserve & restore Milk Row Cemetery to date,

including in-kind work by local, City & State agencies: ~ $450,000 * GRANTS & private foundation funds received to date: $288,073 (~65% of total!)

Preservation Master Plan Update

• Restore Perimeter Fencing and Gates 
• Open up & Improve Cemetery Landscaping & Furniture 
• Improve Internal Circulation for Pedestrians & Vehicles 
• Provide Universal Access within and into Burial Ground 
• Enhance & Facilitate Public Entry and Use 
• Maintain Health of Large American Elm Tree 
• Stabilize, Clean, and Treat Civil War Monument 
• Rehabilitate 8 Tomb Facades, Vault and Wall (Started 2005-06,

completed June 2016) 

• Reset and Conserve All Deteriorated Grave Markers

(Bid this winter & work to be done Spring-Summer 2017)

Phase Seven– Current Project

• Update Open Space & Landscaping Components:
• Assessment of current conditions
• Recommendations for priority next steps
• Cost estimates for prioritized work items
• Hire Qualified Consultant to Perform Scope of Work
• Expected Timetable:
• 8-10 weeks beginning summer & ending fall 2017
• Occurs simultaneous with marker conservation work
• Restore FY’16 CPA Funding ($6,300) borrowed from

Grave Markers Conservation work for completion of Tombs Rehabilitation Work (CPA FY’15)

Project Photographs – Illustrating Site Deficiencies

Note lack of optimal visual screening, sound abatement and

• ther passive open space amenities, and deterioration of many grave markers

Budget for Blended Historic & Open Space Funding

• Master Plan Update for Landscaping/Open Space:

$15,000

• FY’16 CPA grant loss for Grave Markers Conservation:

$6,300

• Total Request FY’17:

$21,300