Town of Reading Preserves Civil War Gravestones

The Town of Reading announced it has completed restoration work on a number of Civil War gravestones at Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Funding was approved in the Massachusetts state budget for preservation grants, in honor of the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War. The grants were granted to “preserve objects and documents in the Commonwealth which are significant to the history of the Civil War,” the town said.

The grant guidelines stated that matching funds would be granted up to 50 percent of the total project costs, but could not exceed $7,500, according to the town. The Town of Reading applied for the full amount of the grant and was selected.

Twenty-seven soldiers who died as a result of the Civil War and whose names are on the Civil War monument, are buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery. Eight gravestones at the cemetery were chosen for restoration because of their condition due to age and exposure to the elements, the town said. Most were broken, some in several places, while others had failed repairs.

“This project would not have been possible without the generous donations of many Reading individuals, organizations and the Reading 350th Preservation Trust,” Reading Town Manager, Bob LeLacheur said in an announcement from the town. “I would like to especially thank Everett and Ginny Blodgett for all of their hard work, and the State for providing Reading with this important grant.”

Daedalus, Inc. conducted the restoration work on the gravestones. Stones that were missing pieces were infilled with marble repair mortar and other stones were drilled out to remove old, rusted pins and new stainless steel pins were inserted. Finally, the stones were then cleaned.

(Photos courtesy of the Town of Reading)