Jacksonville Cemetery

Help us clean-up the winter debris and get the cemetery ready for spring by joining the FOJHC, Boosters Club, Masonic Lodge and other community volunteers in a clean-up of the cemetery grounds. Bring gloves to wear, leaf rakes, gas blowers and meet at the Sexton's Tool House, top of Cemetery Road. Coffee and morning refreshments will be provided. This is a great opportunity to earn credits towards Community Service Projects for students.

History Saturday - Jacksonville Historic Cemetery Tours
Second Saturday of the Month, April through December

Saturday, April 14, May 12, June 9, July 14, August 11, September 8,
November 10, and December 8
Please note: there is no program scheduled in the month of October.
10:00 a.m. to approximately 11:30 a.m.

Following a very successful and popular 2011 season, History Saturday returns to the Jacksonville Historic Cemetery in 2012. Tours will start promptly at 10:00 a.m. and take approximately 90 minutes to complete. Learn the history of Jacksonville's Pioneer Cemetery, section by section, on a guided tour through one of Oregon's oldest and largest historic cemeteries. Each month a different subject or section will be discussed and toured with background information on the various religious or fraternal orders that make up this very unique and interesting cemetery. Learn about Victorian Mourning Customs, cemetery symbolism, and the different styles of headstones and monuments. Meet some of the colorful and interesting men and women who rest under the Madrones, hear their stories and about the contributions they made to the community. This type of tour may not be suitable for the very young. Advance registration is not required. Meet your Docents at the Sexton's Tool House, top of the Cemetery Road near the flag pole. Dress for the weather and be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes.

Tours are free; donations are accepted and help to support restoration and preservation projects in the cemetery.

A complete Program Schedule can be found under the Guided Tours section of this website.

For more information, call 541 826-9939 or email info@friendsjvillecemetery.org Wheelchair accessible by arrangement

Mysteries in our Backyard - A project of the Southern Oregon
Historical Society and the Rogue Valley Genealogical Society

Workshop
Saturday, April 21
9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Mysteries in our Backyard, is a collaborative project of the SOHS and RVGS with participation by members of: Jackson County Heritage Association, Jackson County Library System, Southern Oregon University and individual Cemetery groups, including the FOJHC, and Jackson County organizations. The workshop will focus on using cemeteries as research sites for learning about local history. This workshop, along with others being offered starting in January, will aid the mystery detectives in solving the Mysteries in our Backyard. Workshop will be held in Jacksonville's Historic Cemetery and start promptly at 9:30 a.m. Please meet your Docents at the Sexton's Tool House, located at the top of Cemetery Road. Dress for the weather and be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes.

Please direct your questions regarding this program to library@sohs.org or by calling the SOHS Library 541 858-1724 or the RVGS 541 512-2340.

Spring Cemetery Clean-up Day

Saturday, May 5
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

It is time to prepare the cemetery for the Memorial Day Holiday and all our visitors. Join the FOJHC, Jacksonville Boosters, the Masonic Lodge and all our other community volunteers for our Annual Spring Clean-up. Bring gloves to wear, rakes, gas blowers, weed whackers, lawn mowers and pruning shears and meet at the Sexton's Tool House, top of the Cemetery Road. Coffee, water and morning refreshments will be available. Students, this is a great opportunity to earn credits towards Community Service Projects.

Memorial Day Weekend

Sunday, May 27 and Monday, May 28
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Volunteers from the Friends of Jacksonville's Historic Cemetery will be on site to help families, friends, and visitors locate the gravesites of loved ones. Information about the cemetery is provided and questions answered. Volunteers place flags on our Veterans' graves and around the cemetery in honor of our fallen heroes. This is a great opportunity for families to learn about our organization and for us to meet the next of kin of those buried in this beautiful and peaceful cemetery.

Workshop - Marker Cleaning

Saturday, June 2
8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon

Learn the basics of how and when to clean cemetery markers and the proper tools to use. This will be a hands-on workshop so dress accordingly. Meet your instructors in the Jacksonville Cemetery, at the Sexton's Tool House, top of the Cemetery Road. Cleaning tools and written handouts will be provided. Please feel free to bring your lunch and join us for an additional question and answer period following the workshop. This is a fun, easy and rewarding project that most people can participate in.

Workshop - Marker Restoration

Saturday, June 23
8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Learn the basics of how to properly restore cemetery markers and the necessary tools required. The workshop will include leveling, resetting bases and markers, restoration of broken pieces and more. This is a hands-on workshop so bring gloves to wear and dress accordingly. Tools, supplies and written handout material will be provided. Bring your lunch as we will take a break and answer additional questions and take comments. Meet your instructors at the Sexton's Tool House, top of the Cemetery Road leading to Jacksonville's Cemetery.

Fall Cemetery Clean-up Day

Saturday, October 6
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

Join the FOJHC, Jacksonville Boosters Club, the Masonic Lodge and other community volunteers at the fall clean-up of the cemetery grounds. Bring gloves to wear, leaf and garden rakes, gas blowers, pruning shears and meet at the Sexton's Tools House, top of the Cemetery Road. Coffee, water and morning refreshments will be provided. This is a great way for students to give back to their community and earn credits toward Community Service Projects.

Seventh Annual "Meet the Pioneers"

Friday, October 12 and Saturday, October 13
4:00 p.m. until 7:30p.m.

Join us for one of Jacksonville's most popular events, "Meet the Pioneers" and take a special evening walking tour through the torch-lit Jacksonville Historic Cemetery. You will be greeted by the Spirits of some of Jacksonville's and the Rogue Valley's early residents and hear interesting and fascinating stories of their lives in the mid to late 1800's. Listen in as town folk discuss important topics and events of the day and there impact on this Pioneer Community.

Dress for fall weather and be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes. May not be appropriate for small children and please, no pets. Tours depart every 15 minutes and take approximately one hour to complete.

Tickets will go on sale starting Wednesday, September 12, 2012. They cost $12 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under or $29 for a family (up to 2 adults and 3 children).

Tickets may be purchased, starting on September 12, 2012, at the Jacksonville Chamber and Visitor Information Center located on North Oregon Street (next to the Post Office) or by calling 541 899-8118. Tickets are sold by the departure time of the tour you choose to take. The first tour will depart at 4:00 p.m. and then every 15 minutes thereafter, with the last tour departing at 7:30 p.m.