Skip to main content

Batavia Cemetery Association looking for help in dealing with latest round of vandalism

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Sometime between the middle of March and the middle of April this year, the Historic Batavia Cemetery was seriously vandalized. More than 50 headstones, some dating to the early 19th century, were overturned, broken or smashed, causing thousands of dollars of damage.

The Batavia Cemetery was established in 1823 and was listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places in 2002. Most of Batavia’s early settlers are buried at this site.

The Cemetery Association is a nonprofit organization and the funds available for this damage are limited. They are asking for donations to help reset and repair the damaged monuments. A GoFundMe page has been established under Historic Batavia Cemetery Repairs and may be found at  https://www.gofundme.com/BataviaCemetery.

This board has worked very hard the past 25 years to restore and maintain the cemetery. This is a very devastating blow.

Under New York State Law, this amount of cemetery desecration is a felony offense. If anyone has information regarding this crime, they may contact Officer Cronmiller at Batavia City Police Department, 345-6350.

Any donations or information will be greatly appreciated.

Scott Ogle

i got to go first on this particular gofundme effort. My little contribution would cover a stiff drink and gratuity, and that seems perfectly appropriate! . If everyone would give a just a little, it would be a great and healing tribute to our past. Make it happen!

I'm challenging *everyone* to give a little, to meet or beat my contribution!

https://www.gofundme.com/BataviaCemetery.

May 4, 2016, 11:15am Permalink
Billie Owens

This is absolutely tragic and disgusting. No respect. No regard for people's memories or their families'. Trashy people do stuff like this and I hope they get caught and be made to pay.

May 4, 2016, 10:46pm Permalink

Authentically Local