About Us
The Shreiner-Concord Cemetery Foundation is embarking on a new phase of long-term improvements to this historic site in our community. Your interest and support will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks to a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, work is nearing completion on sidewalk and tree planting work along the North Mulberry and West Chestnut Street sides of the cemetery. This $75,000 grant was secured through the efforts of PA State Rep. P. Michael Sturla of Lancaster from the Commonwealth’s Department of Community and Economic Development. Of the total, approximately $50,000 is being directed to improvements along the two main public streets abutting the cemetery and $25,000 will be used for improvements within the cemetery.
In August, 2009, the Board of Commissioners of Lancaster County awarded the Shreiner-Concord Cemetery a grant of $38,205 under the County’s Urban Enhancement Fund program. Combining this grant amount and the remainder of the state grant, the Foundation Board of Directors will soon award a contract to a cemetery conservator who specializes in repair and restoration of historic masonry. The firm will begin the process of repairing, restoring and cleaning almost all of the broken, sunken and vandalized grave stones on the property. This work is expected to begin soon and be completed early next spring.
This project includes two important features to engage the public in the long term care and maintenance of the historic cemetery. Our grave stone conservator will train area residents in the repair and re-setting of damaged and sunken grave makers. The firm will also train members of the faculty and students from Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology in Lancaster in grave stone repair. The Stevens College representatives will repair three specific grave sites at the cemetery. Fortunately, there are no issues of deterioration to address at the grave and memorial of the Honorable Thaddeus Stevens (1792-1868), the college’s famous namesake. But the Shreiner-Concord Cemetery Board believes it is no less significant that an instructor and students from the college have agreed to contribute their time to our project.
An important aspect of the labor contributions by the Stevens College representatives and area residents is that the Lancaster County grant funds were secured in part by using their work time and labor as an in-kind match. These contributions of nearly 400 hours of labor over the fall of 2009 and the spring of 2010 will enable the Foundation to design and install an informational kiosk in the cemetery. This display, similar to others now installed around the City of Lancaster, will describe the life and legacy of Thaddeus Stevens and the origins of the cemetery in 1836 by clockmaker Martin Shreiner (1976-1856). Stevens, an abolitionist and author of the main civil rights amendments to the U.S. Constitution, chose to be buried at this public cemetery because Shreiner’s operating and burial rules were not restrictive based on race, as were other cemeteries in Lancaster at the time.
Shreiner-Concord Cemetery Preservation Initiative
Supported by community volunteers, with major funding provided by PA Department of Community and Economic Development and Lancaster County Urban Enhancement Fund Program
Additional support by:
- Board of Directors Shreiner-Concord Cemetery Foundation
- City of Lancaster Department of Public Works
- Stephen Daniels Electrical Contractors, Lancaster
- Day of Caring United Way of Lancaster County
- Fulton Elementary School, School District of Lancaster
- James Street Improvement District
- LIVE Lancaster Investment in a Vibrant Economy
- Mike Sabol Photography
- New School of Lancaster
- Occupational Development Center of Lancaster County
- Schroeder Gardens, Lancaster
- Rep. P. Michael Sturla, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
- Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, Lancaster
- Thaddeus Stevens Society, Gettysburg
- Wachovia Bank—A Wells Fargo Company: Lancaster County Cemetery Association Trust
If you would like to join our efforts, please contact Michael Mumma, Foundation Treasurer at e-mail to arrange for a contribution to our Capital Improvement Fund...