Volunteers gathered at Settlers’ Cemetery on April 26 to participate in a community effort to clean headstones and monuments. Nearly 50 people of varying ages came together under the guidance of Mecklenburg County’s Historic Landmarks Department and Historic Elmwood Pinewood, Inc. The volunteers worked to remove layers of dirt, grime, and biological growth from the headstones, making the inscriptions more legible for visitors.
Tommy Warlick, a historic preservation specialist for Mecklenburg County, expressed satisfaction with the turnout. “I was thrilled to see so many new, and returning, faces,” he remarked. Warlick also noted that their partners with Historic Elmwood Pinewood Inc. were pleased with the results of the cleaning.
Settlers’ Cemetery, established around 1768, is the resting place for some of the area’s earliest and most notable families, such as the Polks, Davidsons, Caldwells, and Wilkinsons. The preservation of this site relies significantly on community volunteers, highlighting the role of civic involvement in improving and maintaining historical areas.
The initiative is an example of #TheMeckEffect, an effort to promote community actions that contribute positively to society. Information on participating in future events with the Historic Landmarks Department is available for those interested in joining similar volunteer activities.
