Preserving Our Proud Heritage

Preserving Our Proud Heritage

Silverbrook Gate

The entrance to Silverbrook Cemetery is located at the corner of Main and Cherry Streets in the city of Niles, Michigan.

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The mission of the Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery, working with the City Government, is to promote and restore Silverbrook Cemetery to its once proud heritage.

Work Sessions

In 2007 we restored over 60 stones and monuments and cleaned over 170 stones. We appreciate the over 200 man-hours put in, not just for the restoration of the stones, but for the effort on the new fence along Main St. and the fence repair on Cherry St.

We meet at the storage vault. The work sessions are the 1st and 3rd Saturdays each month from 9 a.m. to noon May through October, beginning May 2nd. If you like to paint, we will have painting supplies and latex gloves here. Bring something comfortable to sit on. Fence repair and replacement, painting, stone restoration and photography are some of the things are that dearly needed.

Our Saturday sessions have been so well attended that we added Wednesday sessions as well. Please check back for updates!
June 2009 Monthly Meeting PDF Print E-mail
Written by Bob Nightingale   
Sunday, 14 June 2009 12:46

The Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery monthly meeting will be held Thursday, June 18th,  6-8pm at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends volunteers be available  to assist in locating gravesites,  demonstrate the cleaning of headstones and restoration repairs of broken stones.

Walking Tour brochures and printed cemetery maps will be located at the main entrance.

If you would like the Friends assistance, contact Tim-Candace Skalla at 684-2455,
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Ginny Tyler at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Last Updated on Sunday, 14 June 2009 12:49
 
2008 Annual Report PDF Print E-mail

Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery
2008 Annual Report
Candace Skalla, President
 
It has been another "fast paced" and exciting year for the Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery.
 
A Special thanks to the City Of Niles, Niles District Library, Fort St. Joseph Museum, Bob Cooley (BCGS) and the many volunteers who have donated numerous hours of time, talent and equipment to this effort.
 
The Friends held 21 scheduled work sessions, with 84 volunteers, a total of 261 volunteer hours. Friends cleaned 155 headstones and completed 69 restoration repairs to headstones and monuments.
 
Annual membership dues and donations allowed the Friends to present the City of Niles a check for $400 to purchase additional flags/flag holders for Veteran's gravesites.
 
Highlights of 2008:
 
The Niles Service League featured the entrance gates of Silverbrook Cemetery for their annual "2008" Christmas ornament.
 
Published Author and Friends member Charles Chauncey Wells, descendent of Jonathan Wells, presented Friends with his two publications:

     "Boston's Copp Hill Burying Ground Guide"
     "Preachers, Patriots & Plain Folks Boston's Burying Ground Guide"

Friends donated the books to the Niles District Library, Local History and Genealogy
Department. Ann Flora accepted on behalf of the library.
 
Our monthly meetings featured guest speakers:
*Barb-Griff Cook         "Early Stagecoach in Niles"
*Donna Ochenryder   "Urban Renewal- Before and After Downtown Niles"
                                   Photo Collection 1953-2003
*Elaine Metzger          "John Gipner- He Brought Fane to Niles"
                                   Four Flags Garden Club
 
 
FriendsfSilverbrook.org website has been redesigned by Web Master, Bob Nightingale.

Vickie Caison continues to update the "Photo Gallery". To date 20,570 burial records posted, 2,050 veterans identified and 12,000+ photos in the gallery.
 
"Silverbrook Legacies" articles written by Kathy Hempel, in local newspaper, The Daily Star, has published 31 feature stories.
 
Annual Cemetery Guided Tour in October. Friends volunteers (4) conducted the walk with 10 people attending the tour.
 
Radio interviews with Bobbie Jo Hartline, WGTO radio featured:
  "Silverbrook Legacies" written by Kathy Hempel
  "Guided Walking Tour" for October event.
 
Projected Projects for 2009:
*Help locate Veteran's gravesites for flags for Memorial Day.
*Continue restoration in older part of cemetery.
*To edge around flat markers in Garden of Memory area.
*Design and build enclosed case to hold cemetery map to help visitors locate gravesites.
*Check into the publication of Silverbrook Legacies articles for fundraiser for 2009.
*To get quotes for street signage to identify areas in cemetery.
*To get quotes for numbered markers for annual walking tour.
*To set up committee for National Historic Registry
 
It has been a wonderful year for the Friends of Silverbrook, we are looking forward to spring!
 
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