OUR MISSION
Friends of Westwood Cemetery is dedicated to the beautification, preservation, maintenance, and appreciation of the Westwood Cemetery in Oberlin, Ohio.
About
History of Westwood Cemetery
Oberlin’s original burial ground was only two acres of land on Morgan Street, leased by Oberlin College. By 1861 – the onset of the American Civil War – it was realized that a larger cemetery was necessary. Thus, the Oberlin Cemetery Association was formed July 9, 1861 to locate and propose proper grounds for a new cemetery. The first burial was in August 1863 (Samuel Montgomery, Sec. V), nearly a year before the formal dedication of the cemetery in July 1864.
Westwood’s design reflects the Rural Cemetery Movement of the nineteenth century. Such cemeteries were to be enjoyed like parks, with pastoral landscapes, winding paths, and ornate monuments. Today, Westwood Cemetery is around 47 acres and hosts over 11,000 burials. The cemetery grounds and records are maintained by the City of Oberlin.
Organized in 2014, Friends of Westwood Cemetery (FOWC) is a community group of passionate individuals committed to the long-term care and awareness of the Westwood Cemetery grounds, stones, and stories.
Successful projects have included:
Replacing sections markers used for wayfinding by visitors
Creation of the Tranquility and Memorial Gardens
Responsible for cleaning of gravestones
Advocacy for accessible data and records
Activities and Resources
Monthly Meetings
Monthly Meetings are open to all. Meetings happen in the Zavodsky House/Sexton's House near the entrance of Westwood Cemetery on Morgan Street. Zoom access is also available, Check our Facebook Events page for Zoom address.
Cleaning Gravestones
The Friends of Westwood are responsible for cleaning of gravestones using No- Harm Methods. Cleaning sessions are in the warm weather months, and open to the public, May to October. Check our Facebook Events for dates and information.
Oberlin Heritage Center - Westwood Cemetery Database. This data base has photos of cemetery stones, information, and gps location for burials.
The City of Oberlin - Westwood Cemetery has an online burial search data base showing plot locations by searching last name of plot owner. This online burial search is for any plot , claimed or available.
Donate
Ongoing membership drive from January through to December
Supports the Friends of Westwood Cemetery (FOWC) projects.
FOWC is a 501(c)(3) Non profit Organization
Calendar and Social
Contact
Mailing address: P.O. Box #85, Oberlin, OH 44074
Email: friendsofwestwood@gmail.com
FOWC Board Members
Audrey Kolb, President
Amanda Manahan, Vice President
Robin Jindra, Treasurer
Judy Connolly, Recording Secretary
Ronnie Rimbert, Brian Bliss, Bob Kasayka, Desmond Bowen, Kathy Hilton