Mineral Point, WI is the final resting place of many influential people who helped develop Mineral Point and the state of Wisconsin, including the state’s first governor, Henry Dodge. Like many things in this world, however, time has taken it’s toll on the city’s rural cemetery since it last hosted a funeral more than 100 years ago. But one many is diligently working to bring the cemetery back with help from local businesses and community members.

Dave Larson works the grounds of the almost 120,000-square-foot restoration project, using a four-foot long pole with an attached six-inch metal tip to locate the long since departed. He also has set up a work table where he is able to the bring damaged, sandstone headstones and, using epoxy, piece them back together and restore them to their original state. This has been a project which started last year and Larson has said he doesn’t expect to finish the restoration this year but with the help he’s received from local businesses and community groups, he’s making progress.

We hear about stories of cemeteries, such as the one in Mineral Point, all too often but it’s always wonderful to hear about a community coming together to restore a part of their history and pay respect to their forebearers.

For the full article, click here: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/on-wisconsin-cemetery-restoration-in-mineral-point-takes-patience-persistence/article_b0cc19ca-493d-52bf-a74e-83ed9c202d8e.html