As America approaches its 250th anniversary, a statewide effort is underway to make sure Revolutionary Warfare veterans buried in Ohio aren’t forgotten.
Led by America 250-Ohio in partnership with the Ohio State Historic Preservation Workplace, Terracon Consultants, Inc., and heritage organizations just like the Daughters of the American Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution, the Revolutionary Warfare Veteran Graves Identification Venture is documenting the ultimate resting locations of those that helped safe America’s independence.
There’s only one drawback: no complete, searchable map or public database of those graves presently exists.
With an estimated 7,000 Revolutionary Warfare veterans buried throughout Ohio, the aim is formidable—create an enduring, digital file of those heroes’ burial websites earlier than time and climate erase them from view.
After the conflict, veterans poured into the newly opened Northwest Territory. Some have been granted land in what would develop into Ohio, notably in areas often called the Virginia Army District and america Army District. These plots have been awarded based mostly on rank, and never everybody certified, however hundreds made their approach west to begin anew.
One notable veteran, Nathaniel Massie, a non-public within the Virginia Militia who grew to become a surveyor and later based Chillicothe in 1796. Massie’s grave, perched on a bluff overlooking the town he helped construct, was the primary website recorded within the challenge.
Your Function in Preserving Historical past
Right here’s the place Ohioans are available in. The crew behind the challenge is constructing a public, interactive map of Revolutionary Warfare veteran gravesites—however with so many graves scattered throughout over 1,700 cemeteries, they need assistance.
Utilizing a free telephone app referred to as Survey123, volunteer “Public Researchers” can doc grave markers by snapping images, noting inscriptions, and recording GPS coordinates. It’s a hands-on, significant strategy to contribute to native historical past—no expertise required.
“We’re counting on on a regular basis Ohioans to assist us confirm historic information and uncover new ones,” says Krista Horrocks, challenge supervisor with the Ohio State Historic Preservation Workplace. “It’s our sacred obligation to honor these veterans and protect their reminiscence for future generations.”
Why It Issues
Past honoring the previous, this challenge will assist communities in evaluating the situation of those graves and prioritizing preservation efforts. It’s a residing archive within the making—one which the state plans to replace and preserve properly past 2026.
The right way to Get Concerned
The Grave Marker & Cemetery Collection Portal is the hub for all issues associated to the challenge. Volunteers can join, entry instruments, and even get acknowledged for his or her contributions (until they like to remain nameless).
To study extra or develop into a Public Researcher, please click here.
(Featured picture through Ohio History)
