Restored iron gates return to Granville’s Old Colony Burying Ground
One hundred and eleven years after their initial installation, the historic iron gates at the Old Colony Burying Ground in Granville are soon to be reinstalled after a painstaking restoration. A public ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the restoration will be held on Sunday, Sept. 24 at 2 p.m. at the historic graveyard on South Main Street in Granville.
The iconic iron structure at the southwest corner of the burying ground was originally erected in 1912 by the then-fledgling Granville Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution. Called the Memorial Gate in honor of the 22 Revolutionary War veterans buried in the yard, the elaborate three-part gateway has long been a distinctive landmark in Granville, but in recent years had started to fall victim to the ravages of time. The ironwork was rusting away, some structural bars were pitted and corroded, and parts of the gate mechanisms were bent, frozen, or no longer functional. And like the Memorial Gate, the smaller nineteenth-century pedestrian gate at the northwest corner of the graveyard also had fallen into critical disrepair.
The restoration of both gateways has been achieved at the hands of ironwork artisan Kelly Wetzel of Blackhand Forge in Newark, Ohio. Wetzel brings to the job decades of experience in blacksmithing along with a career-long love of historic ironwork.
"We are so fortunate to have found Kelly for this job," said Becky Underhill of the Granville Chapter DAR. "His expertise in treating old ironwork is a rare find in today’s world. He’s truly giving these ancient gates a new lease on life."
The restorative processes that the gates have undergone include sandblasting, powder coating, painting, and replacement of some ruined parts, which Wetzel has fabricated and installed. Complete disassembly of the gates and removal to offsite workplaces was required for all of this work. Costs for the job have run about $13,400.
The project has been a collaboration between the Granville DAR and the Granville Union Cemetery Board, which oversees the maintenance and restoration of the Old Colony Burying Ground. These organizations raised more than 70 percent of the cost from their own members and volunteers, and the Granville Community Foundation awarded a generous grant of $3,560 to complete the needed funding. In addition, in-kind services have been provided by the Granville Township crew, who have assisted Wetzel with dismantling and reinstalling the heavy gates.
"There will be so much to celebrate at the event on Sept. 24," said Lyn Boone, a member of the Union Cemetery Board. "The gates to our unique historic graveyard will be as beautiful again as our grounds and restored monuments. We are all deeply grateful to everyone who has supported this project."
The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature remarks by several speakers, a traditional ribbon-cutting, and refreshments. In case of rain, the event will be held at The College Town House, 334 E. Broadway in Granville.
Information submitted by Granville Union Cemetery Board.
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Restored iron gates return to Granville’s Old Colony Burying Ground
