Historical Cemetery Preservation Programs

Letter to Scott Sosebee, Ph.D., Jere Jackson (CHC), Archie McDonald Ph.D, F Abernathy Ph.D, Tom Middlebrook, Archeology Division Steward Program, Brian Bray, Certified Local Government Contact, Larissa Pholpot (Visionaries in Preservation Community)

William Goyens Jr's Centennial Marker was unique because only 10% of the 13,000 historic markers in the state are (were) located on burial sites. If you check with the Texas Historical Commission (THC) there are several programs enacted to protect these sites, including: Historical Texas Cemetery Designation Program (protecting cemeteries and burial sites by recording them in deed records), RIP Statewide Cemetery Survey Project (year 2000 to help locate historic cemeteries), RIP Guardian Program, recently initiated to encourage working with volunteer groups around the state for cemetery preservation methods, and the Role of County Historical Commissioners. The County Historical Commissioner (CHC) works with the THC on a variety of preservation projects, including cemeteries.

I have contacted the THC and the Constituent Communication Division for the Office of our Governor, Rick Perry where I learned the above information.

There is much work to be done. I would like to see Goyens' family cemetery preserved, honorably marked (as it once was by the Texas Centennial Commission before the marker was moved) and accessible to the public after years of abandonment. I will be in Nacogdoches September 17-20 and available to meet with you concerning your plans to cooperate with the roles you have been entrusted with in preserving the history of Nacogdoches.

Thank you,
Cyndie Goins Hoelscher