Starting in 2002, volunteers have made numerous enhancements to the Jacksonville Cemetery making it a very popular place with families, friends, and visitors. A new sign was placed at the entrance gate noting its official dedication in 1860 and the seven Sections of the cemetery. Interpretive Panels were designed and placed within the cemetery grounds giving a brief history of the cemetery, of each of the individual Sections, a nature panel, and

an overview map of the entire cemetery. A small, former milk house was converted into an Interpretive Center containing displays, information on cemetery events, cemetery and local news stories. There is also a guest register that we encourage people to sign and make comments. Benches were also designed to suit this Pioneer Cemetery and were placed throughout the cemetery grounds providing a place for people to sit and enjoy the peace and tranquility. Volunteers updated an existing Southern Oregon Historical Society handout and turned it into a user friendly brochure suitable for pocket or purse. A foldout map of the cemetery grounds noting the location of the various sections, Interpretive Panels, Interpretive Center, and restrooms was also produced.

In 2006 a portion of a grant from the Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries allowed us to hold a one day workshop on marker restoration and proper cleaning procedures. As a result over 130 markers have been restored to date by trained volunteers. An additional 67 have been restored by Professionals. As a result of the training we received in 2006 and some other workshops attended, we now offer training to other volunteers from around the Rogue Valley in Southern Oregon. There will be a marker cleaning and marker restoration workshop this coming June 2012. Please see the Events Section of this website for additional information.

Our biggest project to date started in 2007 when a group of 35 dedicated volunteers, working in three teams, began a complete written and photographic inventory of the cemetery. Every grave marker, curbing, fencing, decorative urn, tree and plant was recorded on an Inventory Form, and entered into our data base. Sizes, materials, and conditions were also recorded. We made our goal and completed the initial project in December 2010. This spring our volunteers will be out in force and updating the inventory records by adding those burials that took place in the last 4 years. Plans call for us to share our data base with several other organizations following the completion of the project.

Our Seventh Annual production of Meet the Pioneers is scheduled for Friday, October 12, and Saturday, October 13, 2012. This is our major fund-raiser for the Friends of Jacksonville's Historic Cemetery with proceeds supporting restoration and preservation projects in the cemetery. Pioneer Spirits in period costumes greet guests during a one hour walking tour and share their stories of travel west to Oregon, settlement in and around Jacksonville, and what life was like in the 1800's.

Be sure to check out the Calendar and Events Section for more information on this year's Meet the Pioneers and other activities.