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Jon Jarvis, director of the National Park Service, made the announcement in July that the cemetery would be placed on the official list of the nation's historic places worthy of preservation, according to a press release. The National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program that helps identify, evaluate and protect the country's historic and archaeological resources, according to the release.
Dale Cemetery also was added to the New York State Register of Historic Places in May. Town Supervisor Sue Donnelly celebrated the two honors, noting, “these designations represent the initial stages of the Town of Ossining’s efforts to establish a comprehensive cultural heritage tourism program,” according to the release.
Later stages of the program will include tours, lectures and the establishment of a 501(c)(3) organization called the “Ossining Historical Cemeteries Conservancy” that is set to work with several cemeteries within the town's borders, including Dale Cemetery (founded in 1851) and the Sparta Cemetery, dating to pre-Revolutionary war times, according to the release.
"The purpose of this organization will (be) to raise awareness of our historical cemeteries (memorial parks) and allow for contributions of time, financial support, or labor to this local cause," representatives said in the release.
“Cemeteries are not just resting places for the dead, but places for the living to get a real understanding of Ossining’s history, complete with images, artifacts, words and landscapes that have architectural, cultural and historical significance,” said Miguel Hernandez, a public historian who conducted the historical designation study and who also presents lectures and tours of Ossining’s historical places, in the release.
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