Centre County groups to clean historical graves, looking for volunteers

CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — The nonprofit Roland Curtin Foundation and Altrusa International of Centre County are partnering to clean several historical grave markers and volunteers are invited to join.

The cleaning, while still two years in advance, is part of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. As part of the America250PA project, local organizations and volunteers are working to initiate community improvement projects to showcase local history by improving places that matter.

The event is set for Saturday, July 20 (National Pennsylvania Day) at the Curtin United Methodist Church Cemetery. That cemetery holds the grave markers of two Revolutionary War soldiers, several Civil War veterans, former ironworkers and their family members.

The groups added that it’s a way to honor the fallen and celebrate what they fought for. They added that they’ll be cleaning the graves in a safe way to preserve the stones.

“It’s important to maintain our history, to preserve it, to maintain it and interpret it so that the future, the present generation, the future generations, will know the people and the places that made a difference to the building of the United States,” Sue Hannegan, President of the Roland Foundation said.

The Curtin United Methodist Cemetery, also known as the Old Curtin Cemetery, contains 134 known burials; the oldest of which appears to be 1815 for the infant grandson of Philip and Susanna Antes who deeded acreage to establish the “Bald Eagle Chapel” in 1804, according to the Eagle Iron Works and Curtain Village .

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Volunteers are welcome and instructions will be available on how to clean the graves appropriately. You’re asked to bring a bucket, a soft bristle brush and rubber gloves. Cleaning will begin at 10 a.m.

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