Beloved Landmark
Focus of ‘Quest’
A small but determined group of 20 downtown residents are assisting the city in its efforts to preserve and restore one of New Bern’s most beloved landmarks -- the two-centuries-old Cedar Grove Cemetery.
The group -- the Earl of Craven chapter of the Questers -- is one of approximately 900 located in 43 states and two Canadian provinces. Each are part of an international organization that was founded in 1944 to foster the study of antiques and promote the preservation of historic buildings and landmarks.
Chapter president Alice Ruckart said the group chose Cedar Grove Cemetery as a focus for its restoration efforts because. "it’s just such a forgotten place. We just felt there was a need that was not being addressed by anyone else."
She added, "Although the city provides grounds maintenance, it has little money in its budget to fund the extensive recommendations made by (restoration consultant) Peter Sandbeck in the1995 Condition Assessment Survey of Cedar Grove Cemetery." The survey, undertaken by Sandbeck along with architects Stephens & Francis, was funded by the Kellenberger Foundation.
"The city was delighted with our interest," she said, adding that the group enjoys a good working relationship with city public works director Danny Meadows.
The local chapter primarily raises funds through catered lunches hosted in the members’ historic homes. It also has received grants from the state and international Quester organizations, and ExxonMobil.
Since its founding in 1997, the chapter has contributed to repair of the main gates, restoration of the cemetery’s fountain, replacement of cedar shake roofs on two city-owned mausoleums, installation of oyster shell paths, and planting of azaleas around the Confederate Memorial. Another project completed in late 2005 is the installation of an interpretative panels that highlights the cemetery’s history and directs visitors to the resting sites of New Bern notables such as Judge William Gaston and Pepsi inventor Caleb Bradham.
A memorial fund was recently established for Curtis Collison, the husband of Jeanne, an Earl of Craven Quester, with the beneficiary being the City of New Bern’s Adopt-A-Tree program.
"Our efforts have been positively received," Ruckart said, "but we need for more people to participate." She encourages those who are interested in the Adopt-A-Tree program to contact Meadows at (252) 636-4025.
The overall goal of the restoration effort is to give the cemetery a more park-like appearance. "Years ago it was considered a city park," Ruckart said. "We want to re-create that park-like setting."
Husbands of the group’s members also have aided tremendously in their efforts, Ruckart said, undertaking such tasks as surveying the cemetery’s existing trees, creating a scale drawing of the inventory that details the location and condition of each tree, and compiling a chapter handbook.
Future projects
may include replacement of deteriorating garden benches and installation of
additional ones, and restoration of damaged headstones.