By Emily Howard, Historic District Commission Member

 

On a spring morning, I drove past the West Farmington Cemetery at the corner of 12 Mile & Halsted Roads and noticed a number of people handling the headstones. Not just any headstones, but my ancestor Theodore (T.P.) Howard's broken marker, along with numerous others throughout cemetery.

 

Curious, I quickly turned around to inquire about the unusual scene. With shovels, tools and brushes in hand were clusters of Boys Scouts from Troops #45 and #179, along with members of the Farmington Hills District Commission (HDC). These volunteers and workers were carefully unearthing, leveling and cleaning the tombstones in disrepair at the historic site.  As one of my family’s historians, I shared my knowledge of the Old Baptist Burying Ground, its founding members and our maternal great-great-great-great-great grandfather Reverend Nehemiah Lamb along with other ancestors who lived and farmed these lands since the late 1820s.

 

Inspired by the HDC’s efforts, in collaboration with local partners who are actively engaged in the ongoing restoration, preservation, and maintenance of the City’s historic cemeteries, I applied as a Commission member.

 

The following spring, I, too, signed up when the Utley Cemetery restoration day was announced. As we stood looking at our collective efforts in restoring the markers of “Mother” and “Father,” it was rewarding to work alongside others who took two hours of their Saturday morning to help manage these hallowed grounds. 

 

As we celebrate America’s semi-quincentennial, or 250^th anniversary, let us continue to help preserve the past for future generations by signing up for the next volunteer restoration day.

 

The Historic District Commission’s next volunteer days are

Saturday, April 11 from 9-11 a.m. and Saturday, May 2 from 9-11 a.m.

 

For more information on the Historic District Commission, visit https://www.fhgov.com/government-business/boards-and-commissions/historic-district-commission/.