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Most Endangered Historic Resource:
Historic Burial Grounds (Listed 2000)
Status – Signs of improvement
Salem has a number of significant burial grounds
located across the city, which for years suffered from deferred maintenance
and vandalism. Richard Rennard, Superintendent of the City of Salem’s
Cemetery, Shade Tree and Open Spaces Department was recognized for his
efforts to restore the City’s nationally significant historic
burial grounds and cemeteries when he was awarded the 2002 Hawthorne
Preservation Award. His department also made an enormous contribution
to the restoration of the Ft. Lee landscape, which is sadly returning
to its former wild state since the volunteer team working on the site
has disbanded. Serious concerns about the long term maintenance and
protection of these resources remain, in particular for those with high
seasonal visitation, and in light of the City’s continuing budget
constraints.
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