By Jessica Baumert, Executive Director of Woodlands Cemetery This article originally appeared in the March 2012 newsletter. Didn't get your copy? Consider joining or renewing your membership today.
Woodlands Cemetery was the victim of vandalism on the evening of February 5th. Approximately 25 vandalized headstones, mostly dating from the late 19th to early 20th-century were discovered by one of their dedicated volunteers on the afternoon of February 6th. Headstones were toppled, many of them broken in the process. The total cost of damage is approximately $15,000. Anyone interested in donating towards the repair of these headstones can do so through the Woodlands website: www.woodlandsphila.org, or by mailing a check to the Woodlands at4000 Woodland Avenue,Philadelphia,PA19104. If you are interested in learning more about other ways you can help, please e-mail info@woodlandsphila.org.
The Woodlands is William Hamilton’s former Schuylkill River Estate, transformed in 1840 into a “rural” cemetery that is still an active cemetery today. It is the final resting place of many of the city and region’s accomplished individuals including artist Thomas Eakins, abolitionist Mary Grew, financier Francis Martin Drexel and surgeon Samuel Gross. The 54-acre grounds are open dawn to dusk for the enjoyment of the public.