A Letter From the President of the Fort Worth Development Group, Caretaker of the Western Heights Cemetery
Written by Katherine Homan
Dear Julie,
Thanks to Van Johnson, Western Heights Cemetery's fearlessly innovative Constellation of Living Memorials Volunteer Coordinator, the Fort Worth Avenue Development Group - which "adopted" the cemetery three years ago by cleaning up the overgrown vegetation - is honored to report and celebrate the renaissance that Van has overseen at our previously neglected 176-year-old historic cemetery (mostly known as the burial place of infamous outlaw Clyde Barrow of Bonnie and Clyde fame). Of course, without the grant funding from Constellation of Living Memorials, the Texas Historical Foundation, and the Summerlee Foundation, none of his beautification and historical preservation work would be possible.
Western Heights Cemetery community of volunteers and Fort Worth Development Group Board Members.Western Heights Cemetery is supported by a dedicated community of volunteers and members of the Fort Worth Development Group Board.
1. In April, we held our very first Descendants Day event, which was attended by
26 family members, some of whom came from as far away as Houston. Despite the cemetery being 176 years old and so many families have moved away or died out, 49 descendants were traced, contacted, and corresponded with via text, phone, email, Find A Grave, our dedicated page on Ancestry, our Facebook groups, and even Facebook friendships. (Of Note: each of the mentioned 49 individuals represents many more descendants -- such as a family of multiple children and grandchildren.)
Van brings descendants together via Facebook and beyond
2. In October, during Preservation Dallas' history tour, Van created about 10 "Living Biographies," which volunteers performed to dramatize the lives of some of those buried there, including a Gettysburg Battle prisoner, a La Reunion colonist, and a 102-year-old woman.
History Cemetery Tour in collaboration with Constellation of Living Memorials
3. On Veterans Day in November, flags were placed on the known veterans’ graves, and a Living Biography of Veterans tour was conducted. NBC 5 DFW covered the observance with a remarkable story. Dallas neighbors honor gravesites of forgotten veterans.
Click on this link to view the news clip.
4. About 300 grave markers were documented about their physical condition -- chips, scratches, etc.; detailed descriptions were appended
to our existing comprehensive burial database. This information will allow us to determine if vandalism and/or deterioration are ongoing and make appropriate management decisions re. Ensuring continued preservation.
UTA paid intern, Jessica Gabriel, demonstrates headstone cleaning.
5. The stone cleaning allowed for the epitaphs to be read and for the full detail of their carved motifs to be examined as artistic and symbolic trends evolving. Since the cleaned stones have heightened Van's interest in Van's free one-hour tour, he will include it in upcoming poetry walks.
6. Cleaning of the stones was a necessary first step in changing the appearance of the cemetery, as well as the neighbors' perception of it. Its previous "creepy" look has been totally transformed. Thanks to Van actively managing and keeping the grounds maintained, the amount of litter has decreased exponentially, drug paraphernalia is no longer found and most importantly, the cemetery is now a respected place enjoyed by visitors.
Veterans Day Event
7. If all the above wasn't enough, Van's outreach into the community has resulted in numerous connections with nearby residents with whom he has interactions on nearly a daily basis. Contact information has been exchanged with five of the six immediately adjacent neighbors, as well as with some farther away neighbors. They now know the goal is to turn the cemetery from a negative (litter, vagrancy, overgrowth) to a positive for their neighborhood. Plantings have begun, numerous walking trails have been created, and soon a bike rack will be added to increase visitation, creating an attractive park within walking distance of their homes.
A Living Biography of Veterans tour, organized by Van Johnson
8. Several times, Three neighbors have been hired at $20 or $25 an hour to help with mowing and other maintenance. This is a supplemental source of income for them, as well as an opportunity for us to further involve the community in our plans.
9. Van is serving as a Neighborhood Crime Watch! (a) He discovered and reported a home break-in (the home owner was out of town for a week) to an immediately adjacent neighbor, thus enabling them to call someone local to secure the property. (b) He reported to Oncor a non-functional streetlight near the site of two home break-ins and got it repaired. (c) He shared with the community how to report such issues in the future.
10. In addition to Van's five Facebook pages for the cemetery under the categories of History, Nature, Art, Volunteers, and Visitor Information, he also created one for the Western Heights Neighborhood itself and increased community engagement there.
Allowed to turn neglected, urban Western Heights Cemetery into a bird and butterfly habitat with walking trails, visionary Constellation of Living Memorials Volunteer leader Van Johnson and his mighty band of volunteers have heroically restored this cemetery's history and brought dignity to its long-forgotten grave sites.
Very sincerely,
Katherine