Get to Know Your Local Historical Societies: Friends of the Cemetery

 

By Lauren Kuntzman

Medina County is fortunate to have many societies dedicated to preserving our local history. On the MCDL Genealogy Team blog, we periodically feature these societies.

With National Arbor Day on April 29, it seemed like the perfect time to highlight the Friends of the Cemetery and their work in creating the Spring Grove Cemetery Arboretum. Arboretums are outdoor museums of trees and plants -- and Spring Grove Cemetery has a collection of more than 600 trees.  Teresa Merkle, Friends of the Cemetery president, shared with us details about the cemetery's unique status in Medina County, Ohio.  

Q: What process did the Friends of the Cemetery have to go through for Spring Grove Cemetery to be recognized as the only Arboretum in Medina County, Ohio? 

Merkle: Documentation of the Spring Grove Cemetery trees was the first step we took.  In 2020 the Friends hired Bartlett Tree Expert Company to complete a Tree Inventory and Management Plan of Spring Grove.  We learned from this plan that we have a collection of more than 600 trees, of which there are 80+ species.  With the Spring Grove Tree Inventory and Management Plan in hand, we made application to ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program.  Spring Grove was awarded Level II accreditation in 2021 and is recognized as an arboretum in the Morton Register of Arboreta, a database of the world’s arboreta and gardens. View the cemetery's entry on the registry at https://arbnet.org/morton-register/spring-grove-cemetery.

Q: How can people enjoy the Spring Grove Arboretum?  What can they expect to find there? 

Merkle: Spring Grove Cemetery grounds are open to the public every day and the public is encouraged to use the grounds for exercise, bird and wildlife watching, relaxation, reflection and, of course, to enjoy the beauty of the arboretum.  There are currently 48 species of trees at Spring Grove marked with permanent arboretum tree signs (we plan to add more signage each year).  These signs identify the tree’s common and Latin name, its family name, location of origin, and a fun fact about that species.  A QR code is also located on each sign which enables smart phone users to be directed to more in-depth information regarding that particular species of tree.  A colorful walking map of the 48 featured tree species is also available here. 

Q: If individuals want to volunteer with Spring Grove Cemetery, how can they get involved? 

Merkle: Become a member of the Friends of the Cemetery.  See our membership schedule on our website at https://friendsofmedinacemetery.org.  

Q: Does Friends of the Cemetery have any upcoming events? 

Merkle: Yes!  We have several events planned for the public throughout 2022.   

• Memorial Day services will be held at Spring Grove after the Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 30, 2022 and the Friends will have the historic chapel and mausoleum open to the public for viewing.   
• Saturday, August 6, 2022 at 1:00 pm, is our annual Historical Walk at Spring Grove Cemetery.  At this event we walk along the shade tree lined avenues of Spring Grove, stopping along the way at gravesites to hear stories about people from Medina’s past.   This event is free and open to the public and is wheelchair, stroller, wagon and pet-friendly. 
• Saturday, October 8, 2022 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm, we will be hosting our annual self-guided Spring Grove Arboretum Walk. We provide maps that direct walkers to our showcased arboretum trees.  Kids of all ages enjoy the tree-themed scavenger hunt and tree seedling giveaways. This is a popular event and free to the public.  This event is also wheelchair, stroller, wagon and pet-friendly. 

Q: What else would you like everyone to know about the Friends of the Cemetery? 

Merkle: Friends of the Cemetery is a non-profit organization founded in 1997 that is dedicated to the beautification, historic preservation, maintenance and appreciation of Spring Grove Cemetery (1883) and Old Town Graveyard (1818) located here in Medina, Ohio. 

Learn more about the Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum at https://friendsofmedinacemetery.org/visit/spring-grove-arboretum.  Learn more about the Friends of the Cemetery's accomplishments here.