Projects

Landscape
The Foundation’s initial effort was to improve the landscapes in all three cemeteries by adding trees and shrubs to replace old and damaged specimens. In early 2006, about one hundred trees were planted, with assistance from Trees Columbus, Inc., the City Arborist and volunteer energy provided by United Way Volunteer Center. Planting continues to be a priority, and while there have been a few disappointments, the successes are becoming more obvious.

Special additions of particular trees and shrubs have been made available by individuals and organizations as honor or memorial gifts.

Brochure
Another early project of the Foundation was developing a brochure of information about these cemeteries and about notable people interred here. The first pamphlet, ‘A Walkabout Guide’, was produced in 2007. An enlarged version called “A Guide to our Legacy’ followed in 2009 and is available at the Columbus Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, the Georgia Welcome Center, the cemeteries office and numerous locations throughout the city.

Columns and Gates
Beginning in 2010, brick columns capped with limestone have been installed at each side of all driveways in the three cemeteries. Gates and fencing complete the settings to offer a welcoming appearance. Funds for the pair of columns at the entrance drive to Riverdale were contributed in memory of Dr. Roland Bird Daniel (1866-1955), who served 31 years as Superintendent of the Columbus School District.

Building Renovation
The Riverdale Building was erected in 1915 to provide a chapel and possibly housing for the sexton. Through the years, uses for the structure changed dramatically; most recently, it has served as an office for the Public Service Department’s Chief of Cemetery Services, and storage space for maintenance equipment for all the city’s cemeteries. As soon as the Riverdale-Porterdale Cemetery Foundation was organized, plans began for restoration of the building, insuring more diverse uses for its space. A grant from the Mildred Miller Fort Foundation, plus matching funds raised by the Board and financial assistance from the city, made that hope a reality in 2010-2011. Care was taken to preserve the outward appearance of the building, while thoroughly modernizing the interior to current standards and assuring greater usefulness of the spaces. The Foundation continues to maintain the lawn and landscape around the cemetery. A beautiful fountain, donated by the Buck Family, was added to the Courtyard.

Pavilion Restoration

The Foundation refurbused the pavilion adjacent to the Riverdale Building, adding seating and landscaping to make it a peaceful venue for small memorial services. We continue to work with the City to make updates to this structure, as needed.

Preservation of Original Written Burial Records

The original burial records still exist for the three cemeteries. In order to better protect them, the Foundation acquired two fireproof file cabinets and acid-free storage materials.

Honoring U.S. Military Veterans

With the help of student and Board volunteers, we captured the marker information for nearly 1,700 Veterans buried in the three cemeteries. Of course, many are concentrated in the American Legion Section (about 550), but there are another ~800 in Riverdale, ~125 in Porterdale, and ~275 in East Porterdale. These include men and women who served in all wars/conflicts from the Spanish American to Vietnam; and from all branches of the Armed Services.

In addition, with support from the City, and help from the Masons, American Legion and Boy Scouts, we place flags and patriotic decor throughout the cemeteries on both Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

There are also about 100 Civil War Veterans buried in Riverdale.

Porterdale Preservation (High Priority)

Most of the burials in Porterdale are not in the City Cemetery database. Name and age information is recorded in the original written records, but there is no search option and no location information since Porterdale had no numbered lots and rows until the 1930’s. Assisting families looking for their ancestors is a very challenging task. In addition, there are thousands of unmarked graves in this cemetery.

There is information on the grave markers that does not exist in the burial records and may not exist anywhere else. As markers deteriorate due to age, weather and the elements, we lose more and more information every year. We have captured and catalogued information about prominent citizens, but our best hope is to engage Ground Penetrating Radar and other technologies to preserve this at-risk information by identifying, documenting and mapping this information.

Future Plans
Ideas for improvements and enhancements continue to be in discussion, including:

— Engage ground penetrating radar, geocoding and other technologies in Porterdale (Priority), East Porterdale and selected older sections of Riverdale, to locate unmarked graves, document existing at-risk graves and map the cemeteries/sections. In addition, this would allow Porterdale burials to be available ot the public in a searchable format.

–Add educational and directional signage in all three cemeteries.

–Construct a memorial garden in Porterdale; and a colubarium wall and garden in Riverdale.

–Identify and honor more prominent citizens important to the history of Columbus and surrounding areas.

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