A non-profit, 501(c)(3), organization
dedicated to the preservation
and protection of
Baldwin County, Georgia cemeteries
dedicated to the preservation
and protection of
Baldwin County, Georgia cemeteries
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A non-profit, 501(c)(3), organization
dedicated to the preservation and protection of Baldwin County, Georgia cemeteries |
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| In 2009-2010, the Miller and Conn family fences were beautifully repaired and the copings (bases) under them were rebuilt. On Sept 22, 2010, the Friends of Baldwin County Cemeteries, Inc. celebrated this repair and recognized all those who contributed to it. |  Mayor Richard Bentley, Charlotte and Dave Ferris, and State Senator Johnny Grant. Dave and Charlotte Conn Ferris initiated the fences' repair and were recognized for cemetery preservation and their extraordinary support for the fences' restoration. |
 Jack Graham and Ezekiel (Zeke) Shinholtzer of the City of Milledgeville pause by the Miller fence. |
Both fences date from the late 1800s and were set upon brick copings with granite blocks under the fence posts. The brick copings had deteriorated causing instability in the Miller fence and loss of bricks under the Conn fence. The City of Milledgeville removed trees that were damaging the copings. Jack Graham and Zeke Shinholtzer of the City were recognized for teaming with the Friends on this and many other projects. |
| The brick copings under both fences were re-laid on solid concrete footers by Willie Lamar Brick and Block Construction. Many of the original, hand-made bricks were preserved and included in the Miller coping. The new copings set off the repaired fences beautifully. Williams Funeral Home and Crematory had granite blocks for the Miller fence specially made to replace the original Miller fence blocks, which were irregular, broken and rust stained. Rick Williams was recognized for "always being there" when the Friends need a hand. |
 Rick Williams of Williams Funeral Home is recognized by Sue Harrington, Chair of the Friends of Baldwin County Cemeteries, Inc. |
 Blacksmiths Alan Rogers and George DuPree by the Miller fence that they repaired. |
As part of this project, the Miller fence was removed for repairs by blacksmiths Alan Rogers and George DuPree. They made some of the missing pieces of the fence by hand, and after treating the fence for rust, priming and painting it, they returned the Miller fence to the cemetery and re-installed it. Without their expertise, the project never would have been undertaken. |
The result is outstanding. The copings and fences are a sight to behold. On Sept 22, 2010, the Friends of Baldwin County Cemeteries recognized the below for their contributions:
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 State Rep. Rusty Kidd talked about Memory Hill and its importance in the history of Georgia. He praised all of those who participated in the preservation effort and reminisced about cleaning his grandparents' grave markers in Memory Hill when he was a child. Sue Harrington looks on. |
 With the Miller fence in the background, Brenda Briley, Lynda Banks and Angie Duke prepared the beautiful table for the reception after the program. |
After the program recognizing the above people, the ribbon was cut, and everyone enjoyed looking upon the beautiful fences! |
Fence before repair |
Fence after repair |
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