Friends of the Historic Columbia Cemetery

05/31/2022

The Friends of the Historic Columbia Cemetery enjoyed seeing so many people out this beautiful Memorial Day Weekend. We answered questions, provided flags, and helped people find their ancestors’ graves.

08/13/2019

Local Actor Rodney Sheley did an *amazing* performance of Henry Kirklin at the Memorial Day event this year. You can view the entire performance at the below link. Mr. Kirklin escaped slavery and never attended school, but he lived his life as a successful gardener, business owner, agricultural enthusiast, and teacher in Columbia.

An initiative is currently under way to raise funds for a headstone as Kirklin's grave is currently unmarked. If so moved, one can donate through the linked page or directly to the Friends of the Historic Columbia Cemetery. If you need more information, please ask!

Enjoy this performance from the Memorial Day event! Video courtesy of CAT-TV.

It is a shame that Henry Kirklin's grave is unmarked and that his contributions to Columbia are widely forgotten. Help us raise funds for a headstone to properly honor Henry Kirklin's legacy in this community. Your donation to this campaign will ensure that this important piece of Columbia histor...

07/16/2019

Did you know that no Missouri state law requires the use of a casket or coffin for burial? Cemeteries can determine their own specific requirements for burial.

Columbia Cemetery, 30 E Broadway, does not require coffins or vaults for burial. Old-fashioned pine, wicker, or other bio-degradable materials including burial shrouds are allowed. We call this green burial: it is what our ancestors did for hundreds of years; some religions require it (Jewish, Hindu, and Muslim); and others are drawn to the environmental advantages. Also known as natural burial, this option is free of both chemicals and non-renewable resources. Green burial is often a more affordable funeral option compared to conventional burial, as it forgoes embalming and the outer burial container. Please contact Columbia Cemetery for more information on a green burial at (573) 449-6320.

05/28/2019

The Friends of the Historic Columbia Cemetery is grateful to so many people for making yesterday's HISTORY COMES ALIVE event a wonderful success. Thank you to all actors, volunteers, and everyone who joined in for an afternoon of fun and history.

05/27/2019

Opening Ceremonies are winding up and performances will begin at 1:30! Rain is past, the sun is shining, and it is a gorgeous day at Historic Columbia Cemetery!

05/27/2019

Today is here! Join us at the Historic Columbia Cemetery between 1-4 for Memorial Day fun!

05/23/2019

Here's a a few tidbits on each person that will be "brought to life" on Memorial Day afternoon at the Historic Columbia Cemetery:

VICTOR BARTH (1850-1909), a Prussian immigrant, built a successful clothing business in Columbia. He arrived in 1866 as a peddler, carrying merchandise on horseback. The Barth building still stands at the NW corner of Broadway and 9th.

DAVID H. HICKMAN (1821-1869) was a statesman, businessman, entrepreneur, educator, and legislator; supported the bill to create public middle and high schools in the state; curator at MU; local high school named in his honor in 1925.

MARY HALE LAFON (1869-1955) in 1899 she was mentioned as the only successful female architect in the state; designed Columbia’s Calvary Episcopal church after fire destroyed original structure; designed St. Clair Hall at Christian College.

JEFFERSON GARTH (1803-1892) recognized for generously donating thousands of dollars to bring the University to Columbia. Also a large landowner, founder of Columbia Cemetery Association His land included what is now Garth Avenue.

HENRY KIRKLIN (1858-1938) born into slavery; prize winning gardener and horticulturalist; an unofficial teacher to university students; landowner; nationally recognized, and locally respected.

FREDERICK NIEDERMEYER (1870-1934) was a successful real estate investor; mayor of Columbia at age 33; owner of first automobile company here; served on Columbia school board for 25 years. The historic Niedermeyer Apartments still stand downtown.

HELEN GUTHRIE MILLER, 1861-1949, leading spirit for suffrage; president of Missouri Suffrage League, & vice president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association; and founding member League of Women Voters.

05/21/2019

See Cindy Mustard discuss the upcoming HISTORY COMES ALIVE Memorial Day event with Paul Pepper in this video released today by Paul Pepper Radio Friends. Cindy provides some background about each of the historical figures that will be brought “alive” through local actors’ performances.

NOTE: The link is for the whole episode. If you want to jump to Cindy's talk, it is at the 4:30 mark and the time is hot linked when you click show more under the program description. If you click the 4:30 in blue it will take you straight to Cindy's segment.

Also tune in Thursday morning to the David Lile show on NewsTalk 1400 KFRU when Cindy is a guest to discuss this family friendly and fun event that is open to the entire community. Cindy, a community treasure, is an ex officio member of the Friends of the Historic Cemetery Board, and one of the key reasons this event launched and has been so successful the past couple of years. Cindy's love and enthusiasm for local history is contagious!

Heart of Missouri CASA executive director KELLY HILL tells us about two upcoming classes that will train a "wide variety" of volunteers who wish to advocate ...

05/14/2019

MEMORIAL DAY EVENT (MAY 27TH, 1-4 PM) AT THE COLUMBIA CEMETERY!

▪️Local Merchant Victor Barth played by Nollie Moore
▪️Early Settler Jefferson Garth portrayed by Craig T. Yager
▪️Businessman Frederick Niedermeyer played by Adam Brietzke
▪️Educator David H. Hickman portrayed by Ed Hanson
▪️Suffragist Helen Gutherie Miller played by Mary Shaw
▪️Agriculturalist Henry Kirklin played by Rodney Sheley
▪️Architect Mary Louise Lafon portrayed by Sarah Jost

04/29/2019

SAVE THE DATE!

The Friends will host the third HISTORY COMES ALIVE celebration on Memorial Day, May 27, 2019, at Columbia Cemetery (30 East Broadway, Columbia, MO). Festivities will begin at 1:00. This is a fun, interesting, and family friendly event that gives a spotlight to local actors who help bring the history of Columbia to the community.

Big Daddy's BBQ (Big Daddy's BBQ) will be serving food on grounds so come with an appetite on Memorial Day.

12/15/2018

Our December 9 post that shared the video of Actor Rodney Sheley portraying John Lange, Sr., at the 2018 Memorial Day Event failed to mention that the video was shot by Columbia Access Television. The Friends are beyond grateful for your skilled work at the event!