The Oregon Historic Cemeteries Association is a non-profit organization centered in Portland dedicated to informing and educating the public about the historical and cultural significance of Oregon cemeteries They provide tours, seminars, workshops, and much more to promote the preservation of these sacred grounds.
The group started in 1992 as a way to fight vandalism. They have some really neat facts on their website, like:
-Oregon pioneers usually prepared the bodies, made the coffins and dug the graves for their family members.
-Many of the old marble gravestones in Oregon came here on sailing ships
-Early stone cutters kept their marble slabs under water so they would stay soft enough to carve the intricate artwork?
We had the privilege of printing their current brochure:
Their site also includes information on gravestone repair and cleaning and how to properly read an illegible inscription. If you are interested in becoming a member or would like to find out how you can help by volunteering, visit their website.