By CHARLENE LOVETT
In 2014, the Claremont City Council authorized the department of public works (DPW) to seek grant funding to restore vintage, American-crafted, wrought-iron gates that once stood at the entrance of Mountain View Cemetery. Initiated by DPW employee Norma Limoges, the $3,600 restoration project was funded with grants and gifts from local organizations, and successfully completed this August. The gates, which had been removed 20 years ago after being struck by a truck and then “stored” in a scrape pile, are now fully refurbished and ready to be hung at the entrance of the cemetery. Completing this last step, which will be the reconstruction of the pillars to support the gates, will need the help of the community.
So, why is the community’s help necessary? One reason is that DPW’s annual budget for city-owned cemeteries covers only the operational costs. There is nothing left over for beautification or restoration projects. Other reasons include the need to preserve our history and be good stewards of the gifts that the city has received over the centuries.
In 1923, one of Claremont’s prominent citizens, William H. H. Moody, began an effort to improve the appearances of a local park and four cemeteries. As part of this effort, Mr. Moody contracted with the Steward Iron Works Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, to forge gates to be placed at the entrance of each locale. Each set of wrought iron gates included a pair of driveway gates and two walk gates. The intricacy and craftsmanship of the gates was so significant that they were featured in “Park and Cemetery,” a publication with nation-wide circulation. After installation, Mr. Moody gave the gates to the city.
Honoring this gift is today’s focus. Decades after receiving his gift, we are now poised for the return of the Mountain View Cemetery gates to their original home. Because of the generous grants received from Bank of New Hampshire and Claremont Savings Bank, totaling $2,500, and a gift of $2,000 from the Sullivan Lodge #12 International Order of Oddfellows, the city was able to fund the restoration of the gates. Thanks to the superb work of 3-D Welding, a Claremont company, the gates have been returned to their original state.
The next step is the reconstruction of the pillars destroyed by a truck accident that occurred 20 years ago. While some money remains from the grants and gift received during the gate restoration phase, it will not be enough to fund the reconstruction of the pillars. For the aforementioned reasons, we are asking for donations to complete the final phase. Any funds left over will be used to restore the gates and pillars at the West Pleasant Cemetery.
If you would like to contribute to this effort, please make your tax-deductible contribution to the “City of Claremont” and write Gate Restoration Project in the memo line. We are grateful to the organizations that have already supported this effort and hope others will consider participating in the final phase of this project. Please contact Norma Limoges at 603-542-7020.
Charlene Lovett is the mayor of Claremont and welcomes your feedback. Please email questions, comments or concerns to her at [email protected]
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