Pentwater Township website photo
PENTWATER TOWNSHIP — The Michigan Dunes Chapter of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) has been awarded a $2,578.30 state grant to preserve the historic graves in the Pentwater Township Cemetery.
The funds are spearheaded for the “America 250 Legacy Project: Protecting the Historic Graves of Pentwater Township Cemetery,” according to a press release from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
The grant is part of Round 2 of America250MI grant program that awarded more than $1 million for Michigan history projects.
“Exploring local history through new exhibits, modernizing museum signage and preserving historic cemeteries are just some of the ways that more than $1 million will be used to help bring the stories of Michigan’s past to life as part of our state’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence,” states the press release.
Pentwater Township is one of 45 communities and organizations that will share Round 2 funds from the America250MI History Grant Program.
“Using funds appropriated to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources by the state Legislature, the America250MI History Grant Program is helping communities across the state preserve Michigan stories for future generations.”
“Michigan is defined by generations of hardworking people who contributed diverse chapters to our collective story of what it means to be Americans and Michiganders,” said Sandra Clark, director of the Michigan History Center. “Last June, the first round of the program awarded more than 50 projects around the state. As we start to see those efforts move toward completion, it’s exciting to anticipate Round 2 projects getting underway – all in commemoration of our nation’s 250th anniversary.”
Pentwater Township website photo
Funded projects, totaling $1,020,882.66, are in Alger, Alpena, Antrim, Barry, Branch, Charlevoix, Clinton, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Houghton, Ingham, Kalamazoo, Leelanau, Mackinac, Macomb, Manistee, Marquette, Mecosta, Monroe, Oakland, Oceana, Shiawassee, Washtenaw and Wayne counties.
The Pentwater Township Cemetery is located north of the Village of Pentwater at 8060 North US Business 31.
It is open April 1 through Oct. 31. In 2012, the cemetery underwent a major expansion and added over 500 burial sites and two additional columbariums with 96 new niches, according to www.pentwatertownshipmi.gov.
“The Pentwater Township Cemetery was founded in November 1860 when Jacob Brillhart’s young son died. He instructed John Bean Jr., Henry Flagg and Timothy Barber to select a block of land for a cemetery, outside the village limits at the time, with the promise to deed the land to the town. His son, Willie, was the first burial at the cemetery, which is the block in the village bounded by 1st, 2nd, Rush, and Rutledge Streets currently occupied by the First Baptist Church.
Pentwater Township website photo
“This location served as the township cemetery until 1870, when 40 acres of land was purchased for $5 per acre from the Flint and Pere Marquette Railroad for a new cemetery. In the fall of that year, the southwest portion of the parcel was laid out for burials, and use of the original cemetery was discontinued. By 1879, many of the remains had been moved by families to the present cemetery site. The township then received permission from the state to move the remaining bodies to the new site.
“In December of 1879, E.H. Hutson was contracted to move the last 70 bodies to the new cemetery for a fee of $194 upon completion. These 70 bodies were moved to the northwest corner of Block 2 in the cemetery. At some unknown time, the eastern portion of the original 40-acre parcel set aside for the township cemetery was sold. The present cemetery contains some 20 acres of land.
“In early 1992, the development of Blocks 16 and 17 was initiated, followed by the development of Blocks 18 and 19. A columbarium, containing 48 niches, for the interment of cremains was added in 1998 as well as a maintenance building. Other upgrades included improvements to the entrance including a clock, installation of irrigation systems in Blocks 17, 18, and 19 and the purchase of a small privately owned parcel between the entrance area and Blocks 3 and 7.
“In 2012, Blocks 20 through 25 were developed adding over 600 new sites to the cemetery. Blocks 21, 23, and 25 are specifically dedicated to the burial of cremains, while the lots in Blocks 20 and 24 contain traditional burial plots. All of these areas had underground irrigation systems installed as well. Also, in 2012, the columbarium was expanded to include an additional 96 niches.
“The Pentwater Township Board continually strives to make our beautiful, peaceful cemetery a place that the Pentwater Community can be proud of, now and in the future, as well as preserving its rich history.”
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