Ephraim Rotter presents program to UDC about Tombstone Preservation

Oct. 9—THOMASVILLE- Ephraim Rotter presented a program entitled "The Importance of Tombstone and Cemetery Preservation and Upkeep" to the John B. Gordon chapter 383 UDC. Rotter has been Curator of the Thomasville History Center since 2007. He served as President of the Georgia Association of Museums 2021-2022, and is currently on the Board. He also has served on the Thomasville Historic Preservation Commission for nine years and is a two-time Georgia Humanities Scholar.

Rotter showed a slide presentation which included several tombstones that are familiar in the community. He shared information about how it seemed the ladies in the community were the ones that kept up with making sure cemeteries are kept presentable. One slide showed a copy of an article from the Times Enterprise on February 04, 1914. It was called " The Work of the Ladies at the Cemetery." The article stated several complaints about "trash being found in the cemetery." Another article he shared published in the Times Enterprise on September 03, 1890 stated how the ladies in the community were complaining about the "cemetery grounds are not being kept up in Laurel Hill Cemetery." But he added that today Laurel Hill Cemetery is being well-taken care of.

Rotter said that the local cemeteries are usually one of the current topics discussed throughout the years. People call the Thomasville History Center sometimes asking for locations of certain community cemeteries, because they are working on genealogy or just interested in their family history. The History Center cannot always answer their questions, but do try to help as much as possible by leading the person in the right direction for finding a particular grave.

It was noted by Rotter many cemeteries set up funds for helping to maintain good care for the cemeteries. He encouraged the UDC members to be very careful when cleaning a tombstone. Do not use products that have the word "pressure" in front of that particular material. It may damage the tombstone.

Rotter did an outstanding job giving the members reasons for taking care of family graves.

"Usually when the parents show an interest in taking care of graves of their loved ones, the children will do the same. If the parents don't show an interest, then why should the children?" asked Rotter.

"Tombstones and graves are works of Art. They show literary written pieces of the times. What's written on tombstones and graves are not like fake material that can be written on paper. It is usually facts that tell about the person specifically. And, sometimes what is written can show a person's personality by what they wanted on their tombstone. Whatever is written is personal about the person buried there. Graves and tombstones also contribute to the landscaping environment." Rotter told the chapter.

Rotter talked about the famous Dr. Thomas Murdoch McIntosh and showed a picture of his headstone marker that is now located at the Thomasville History Center and Museum. It was moved there in 1975. Dr. McIntosh 's headstone marker was at one time in the Boston City Cemetery.

"The doctor was a well-known bachelor of his day and had a "salty" personality." said Rotter.

Rotter gave some personal testimony about attending his own father's funeral. He discussed how he noticed the tombstones all around the cemetery. He showed a picture of a Hebrew headstone marker of Sam L. Friedman, 1877-1941. He said that usually the writing on top of the headstone is Hebrew writing, partially a prayer. On bottom is usually something written that tells a family connection.

He ended his program with a question. "How do you want to be remembered on your headstone? You need to make that decision before it is too late. Because mistakes can be made when that information is left to someone else." said Rotter.

Sheila Tucker, Historian introduced the guest speaker. At the end of the program, she showed a book that will be donated to the Roddenbery Memorial Library in Cairo, Ga. in honor of Ephraim Rotter. Also, Tucker presented a check on behalf of John B. Gordon chapter 383 UDC to Rotter to give to the Thomasville History Center and Museum.

The meeting was presided over by Mary Margaret Tyson Quiggle.