All Events

Dec
14

W. W. GLOVER CHRISTMAS VOLUNTEER DAY

The plan is to extract privet today and we need your help. We have an Extractagator and please bring your shovels. Definitely the more help the MERRIER for our December effort! The winter work days are weather permitting. Text 214-392-7948 for details.

View Event →
Oak Cliff Ladies Club to tour Western Heights Cemetery
Nov
24

Oak Cliff Ladies Club to tour Western Heights Cemetery

Makeover / Renaissance Tour -This wonderful greenspace and rich cultural treasure has been right under our noses and ignored for far too long.

176 years old, one of the oldest cemeteries in Dallas County 

Made possible by the Constellation of Living Memorials:

A 2-year, $5,000 matching grant from the Texas Historical Foundation to add butterfly and native plants is currently beautifying the cemetery.

A $30,000 grant from the Summerlee Foundation has professionally cleaned all the headstones, Landmark Status is being filed to protect the land from developers, and broken stones are soon to be repaired.

STATS----------------

2 acres

706 burials

307 markers

first burial 1848

oldest stone 1861

earliest known birthdate 1809

oldest known lifespan 102

SOLDIERS ----------------

16 known veterans,

12 from the Civil War,

Including at least 5 Union soldiers

IMMIGRANTS----------------

*At least 2 La Reunion colonists

* People from Germany (7), France, Switzerland, Hungary, England, and "Sanwan" (!) California. (Who would have thought there was migration FROM California TO Dallas in 1860??)

Three headstones are partially written in German. 

OTHER NOTABLES----------------

* man whom Coombs Creek was named after

* guy that laid the 12,000 lb. cornerstone during the building the State Capitol in Austin on the 49th birthday of Texas Independence

* woman whose 2-storey house saved 30 or more people during the great 1908 flood

* 21 year old bride murdered by her husband

* woman married 25 years who had 21 kids

TOUR----------------

The free one hour in person tour covers local history, Civil War markers, native plants, soil type, family wealth, infant mortality rates, socioeconomic status of women in the 1800s, symbolism in gravestone art and poetry, etc.

PROGRESS----------------

In just the short 12 months that the literally world-famous Western Heights Cemetery has been one of the 5 pilot cemeteries in the Constellation of Living Memorials, we have accomplished the following:

* Identified stakeholders (see attached), and drafted governing documents 

* Headstones mapped with database and GPS locations by Texas Cemetery Restorations

* Topographic survey completed 

* All trees mapped

* Grave research and database reconciliation and merge by research volunteers 

* Cemetery-wide Veterans Day observance reinstituted

* Many descendants identified, located, contacted, and involved

* First annual Descendants Day homecoming event held with attendees coming from as far away as Houston 

* All headstones professionally cleaned

* Physical condition of all stones logged

* Five Facebook accounts created for the cemetery (History, Nature, Arts, Volunteers, and Visitor Information) and one for the surrounding neighborhood itself

* Landmark status filing preparation begins to protect cemetery from developers

* Cemetery-wide Memorial Day observance reinstituted

* Created an extensive walking trail system over the two acres

* Purchased and installed benches (our start thanks to a tourist from Alaska with mobility issues who upon her return home sent us a $120 donation and urged that it be used to buy a bench so those with mobility issues can rest during their walk)

* Employed two local (literally across the street) residents part-time at $20/$25 an hour to assist with landscape maintenance to increase community involvement

* Multiple birdhouses & birdfeeders added

* Living Biographies first performed

* First annual Volunteer of the Year Award presented 

* Memorial Plaza dedicated 

* Project begun to repair all stones 

* Numerous free one hour tours given

PLANS

-----------

In addition to the installation of butterfly gardens, our near-term plans include:

* Additional history storytelling performances

* Theatre 

* Non-amplified choral music 

* Poetry walks

* Adding Spanish language tours 

* Adding monthly American Sign Language tours for the hearing impared

* Adding monthly tours for the vision impaired

* Adding a bike rack

* Public art (mural for the retaining wall along Fort Worth Avenue)

PATRONAGE 

--------------------

Western Heights Cemetery is administered and managed by the non-profit Fort Worth Avenue Development Group with the generous support of the local community.

DONATIONS 

--------------------

Your donations preserve, protect, and maintain this 176 year old historic cemetery.

https://www.paypal.com/donate?campaign_id=66EJ25E4WG8FQ

Thank you for your interest!

Van Johnson 

Volunteer Coordinator 

Western Heights Cemetery 

View Event →
Southwest Perennials, Inc. Tour and Native Seed Propagation Workshop
Nov
20

Southwest Perennials, Inc. Tour and Native Seed Propagation Workshop

The Constellation of Living Memorials has partnered with Southwest Perennials Wholesale Nursery, an industry leader that supplies native vegetation to wholesalers who grow and sell wholesale plants to grocery stores. And Southwester Perennials is the official supplier of milkweed for the Monarch Watch program statewide.

9205 S. Central Expressway, Dallas, TX. Park in the pick-up area of the nursery.

View Event →
Nov
9

GIVING THANKS at the W. W. GLOVER CEMTERY!

There is always something to do to make the one acre more like the beautiful native acre that God made. This will be time to work and to take a breath and see how far we have come toward our goal with only thirteen months remaining!

Text 214-392-7948 for details.

View Event →
3rd Annual Western Heights Cemetery Fundraiser
Nov
2

3rd Annual Western Heights Cemetery Fundraiser

Suggested ticket amount $30/person

Your tax-deductible ticket includes beer, wine, coffee, bibles and some fun interesting activities:

  • Cemetery Tour

  • Use of dowsing rods to locate unmarked graves

  • Lean about tombstone symbolism

  • Tour of White Rhino Coffee Roastery

The first $5,000 raise will be matched by a grant form the Constellation of Living Memorials. Please help us give this historic property the attention it deserves.

View Event →
Headstone setting @ Albert Carver Cemetery
Nov
2

Headstone setting @ Albert Carver Cemetery

Join us while Mike Rowlands (with Michelangelo) resets the headstones that were damaged from a hit and run.

We will need additional participants to help assist Mike. This is a great event to share w/anyone.

We will provide water but you will need to bring a chair.

10200 Bruton, Dallas, 75217.

View Event →
NTMN Symposium Invites CLM toGuest Lecture
Oct
26

NTMN Symposium Invites CLM toGuest Lecture

NTMN Symposium 2024

Constellation of Living Memorials Two-year Pilot

Presentation Abstract

Presenters: Julie Fineman- Constellation of Living Memorials CEO, Monica Newbury - Oakland Cemetery Admin, Van Johnson - Western Heights Cemetery Volunteer Lead, Matt Orwat - Texas A&M Agrilife Agent

The Constellation of Living Memorials (CLM) is a project that blends sustainability, historic preservation, and maintenance of historic cemeteries in Dallas’ many neighborhoods. Historic cemeteries hold a unique cultural and ecological significance, yet many face neglect and degradation over time. Recognizing the importance of these sacred spaces, Constellation of Living Memorials has developed a groundbreaking approach to their rehabilitation.

CLM’s Initiatives:

Revitalize Dallas’ extensive network of historic cemeteries

Create balanced and sustainable ecosystems in cemeteries, as well as vibrant wildlife sanctuaries that honor the memories of those laid to rest

Enrich Dallas’ natural environment and connect communities with their shared heritage

Create native biodiversity hubs to enhance ecology, create beauty, provide climate resiliency, and support the health of Dallas

Activate a robust volunteer workforce and provide a range of science, culture, and art educational experiences for all ages

Build opportunities for communities to connect with nature and to each other

Statewide expansion: revitalize historic cemeteries and their ecosystems across the state of Texas

In many instances, historic cemeteries fall into neglect due to a lack of resources and uncertainties regarding land ownership. Our flagship initiative is a two-year pilot program designed to combat common issues historic cemeteries face and transform them into thriving ecosystems. Throughout the pilot program, our partner cemeteries refrain from mowing, allowing native plant species to flourish and reclaim their natural habitats. As native species flourish, we also oversee the removal of invasive plant species and the subsequent introduction of additional native species.

Whether through volunteer efforts, donations, or partnerships, we are seeking support that will make an exceptional impact on revitalizing our sacred historic cemeteries.

View Event →