Historical Cemeteries Commission

The Historical Cemeteries Commission shall consist of five (5) members, all of whom have expertise and/or interest in historical cemeteries.  All members shall be appointed by the Town Council.  Members shall serve for three (3) year terms and the appointments shall be staggered so that no more than two (2) terms expire in any single year.  Vacancies shall be filled by the Town Council for the remainder of the unexpired term.  The Commission shall annually elect a Chairperson and such other officers as they deem appropriate.

The Historical Cemeteries Commission is authorized by Section 1012 of the Home Rule Charter, Town of Tiverton, dated 11 April 1994 as amended through Special Election of November 8, 2011.



Duties and Responsibilities:
The Historical Cemeteries Commission shall report to the Town Administrator.  Responsibilities shall include the maintenance (when necessary) of headstones, grounds, and walls of historical cemeteries located within Tiverton.  A historical cemetery is defined as a cemetery identified by the Rhode Island Graves Registration Committee survey performed in July 1956.  Cemeteries that are managed by the Cemetery Commission are excluded.  The Commission shall also maintain (when necessary) cemeteries of similar historical interest that were not documented in the survey.

Meeting Schedule:
THCC meets on the second Monday of each month at Tiverton Town Hall.  If the second Monday falls on a town holiday then the meeting takes place on the second Tuesday.  Meetings run from 7:00 PM to approximately 8:00 PM.  The public is welcome.

Contact:
Inquiries may be directed to Jim Spears (624-6031) or Bob Martin (624-3276)

The Rhode Island Historic Cemetery Commission is sponsoring a statewide series of events related to historical cemeteries (Tiverton has 89 registered historical cemeteries) through April and May.  THCC is sponsoring 4 events in the near future. 

TIVERTON-

Clean-up- Saturday, April 22 (Rain date April 29) – 1-4 pm: Clean-up at the Stone Church Cemetery #8 on Stone Church Road. BYO gloves and briar/vine cutting tools. Parking available at First Baptist Old Stone Church next to the cemetery, 7 Stone Church Road. Contacts: Jim Spears - jim.spears.@cox.net or Sue Anderson - gsriengr@yahoo.com

Walking Tour - Saturday, May 6 - 1 pm: Guided tour of the old Congregational Church Cemetery #11 on Lake Road (near East Road intersection), having 16 Revolutionary War veterans and 2 Civil War veterans, and the most slate gravestones of the 89 known Tiverton burial sites. The public may park in the adjacent St Madeleine's Church lot on Lake Road, north of the cemetery. Contact- Sue Anderson - gsriengr@yahoo.com

Demonstration- Saturday, May 6 - 1-3 pm: Hands-on demonstration of gravestone cleaning and repair. Old Congregational Church Cemetery #11 on Lake Road (near East Road intersection). The public may park in the adjacent St Madeleine's Church lot on Lake Road, north of the cemetery. Contact Jim Spears - jim.spears.@cox.net

Walking Tour - Saturday, May 20 - 1 pm: Guided tour of the old Congregational Church Cemetery #11 on Lake Road (near East Road intersection), having 16 Revolutionary War veterans and 2 Civil War veterans, and the most slate gravestones of the 89 known Tiverton burial sites. The public may park in the adjacent St Madeleine's Church lot on Lake Road, north of the cemetery. Contact- Sue Anderson - gsriengr@yahoo.com

Demonstration - Saturday, May 20 - 1-3 pm: Hands-on demonstration of gravestone cleaning and repair. Old Congregational Church Cemetery #11 on Lake Road (near East Road intersection). The public may park in the adjacent St Madeleine's Church lot on Lake Road, north of the cemetery. Contact Jim Spears - jim.spears.@cox.net

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Historical Cemetery Map and Descriptions (2004)

Rhode Island Historical Cemetery Commission Website