What’s Happening in Evergreen? 

The Monday, Sept. 9 meeting of the Cemetery Committee focused on the restoration and planning for the future of Evergreen Cemetery. The importance of this meeting, where noted landscape architect Martha Lyon presented an outline of work she is doing for the cemetery committee on a Cultural Landscape Survey Report, was evident in the attendees, which included Nadine Bigsby, the head of the Owego Historic Preservation Committee; John Swinarski, Evergreen advocate and landscape conservator; Marie Ward, head of the Friends of Owego Evergreen Cemetery; and Jamie Howard, representing the Owego Master Gardeners. 

A Grant from the Preservation League of the Southern Tier is funding the Report. The Preserve New York Grant program is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. The Preservation League provided $8,000, with the Village of Owego putting up $2,000. 

Martha Lyon, a graduate of Colgate University, with a Masters in Landscape Architecture from U. Mass-Amherst, and family from Elmira, has dozens of awards and publications from her work and has advised on numerous cemetery preservation plans including those for Riverside Cemetery in Sunderland, Bridge Street Cemetery in Northampton, Winthrop Cemetery in Provincetown, First Parish Burial Ground in Gloucester – all in Massachusetts, and numerous other design projects in New York State. 

Martha outlined her scope-of-work to the committee and guests beginning with a review of Evergreen historical documents, including the Cemetery Keeper’s Log Book memorializing the resolution to create the cemetery, and a resolution to adopt the name Evergreen.

Beyond her historical review, Martha will create a detailed map of the cemetery in electronic form, updating the existing maps. This map will be used as she creates an assessment of the cemetery elements; the buildings, headstones, landscape features, drainage and the like. The assessment includes documenting the features, their condition, historical relevance followed, in her final report, with specific recommendations to guide the Village in its planning and budgeting for Evergreen. 

Martha started her presentation by asking all attendees to describe their most significant concern; these issues will be addressed in her report.

Even in initial meetings they have been informed by Martha’s expertise. The issue of the numerous dead trees led to a discussion about the need to develop a long-term planting and replacement program. We often forget the obvious, that trees, as living things, have a life span, and that many of the trees were planted at the same time, and are approaching the end of their normal life. 

The committee discussed the Barberry bushes, which Martha described as an invasive species. These bushes have been hiding and undermining many gravestones. All present agreed that the entry road, with its bent pipes, was a forbidding access which would prevent many from ever approaching the park like destination, which was such an important element of the Rural and Romantic movement in cemetery design. 

Certified plans, from legitimate experts, are the key to securing future grants and funding for the preservation of Evergreen Cemetery. Martha’s final plan will include recommendations that will help identify experts and secure estimates for the rehabilitation of the SaSaNa monument, the Mortuary Chapel, the Platt Monument, and other features that make Evergreen a special place.