Pictured above the Federal style house constructed between 1798 and 1805 by Colonel William Cunnington, owner of Magnolia Umbra Plantation. The completely restored house, after hurricane Hugo, functions as the administrative offices of Magnolia Cemetery Trust. At the present this house has major termite damage. I have inserted Mr. McDowell's last newsletter in which he explains the necessary repairs to insure the soundness of the structure and the cost involved. Without these repairs the structure will deteriorate beyond repair. To be apart of this effort and make a tax-deductible donation please make checks payable to:
Magnolia Cemetery Trust
P. O. Box 22873
Charleston, SC 29413
Dear Friends of Magnolia:
It
is very hard to believe that it has been three years since our last
communication. The holiday season is upon us once again!
The cemetery
is an irreplaceable part of our city, state and national cultural heritage, but
much of the historic landscape, buildings and artistic grave markers are
endangered as a result of serious neglect. Although Magnolia Cemetery has been
a perpetual care cemetery since 1954 and perpetual care has been mandatory
since 1974, even today many lots remain without perpetual care. Grave markers
are private property, and owners are accountable for the repairs and maintenance.
Some family
members have faithfully overseen the upkeep of their loved ones' graves for
many years. However, as families have moved away and descendants have passed
on, a number of graves have been neglected. A great deal of professional and
volunteer conservation work has been performed on damaged headstones, but every
year additional grave markers are affected by problems associated with age,
ground settling, and inclement weather.
As I reflect
on the substantial damage received by Magnolia Cemetery resulting from
hurricane Matthew the unexpected cost of the clean up it is obvious that the
annual operating budget has suffer. We still have quite a way to go but we can
finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. We hope and pray that all our readers in the areas hit by
Matthew made it out okay.
In past years,
we have been able to use the accrued interest from our portfolio to supplement
the operating fund paying for most daily expenses. As you know, interest rates
are very low and prices continue to rise.
Most recently,
we purchased several new weed-eaters, lawn mowers and made much need repairs to
our riding lawn mower. We replaced all deteriorated wood and painted the entire
walk bridge. During the October 2015 flood we had the extra expense of
repairing our breached flood gate. The Gate was repaired and the threaded valve
stem was replaced. All of these expenses
were included in the general maintenance and upkeep of the cemetery. However,
the massive tree removal, resulting from hurricane Matthew, totaled over
$15,000 made quite a debt to our reserve fund.
We are now
faced with the financial burden of making extensive repairs to the Plantation
house which functions as our office. This buildings along with the
architectural value of the landscape by Edward C. Jones are the elements that
qualifies the cemetery to be on the National Register of Historic Places. Being
on the NRHP allows us to apply for certain grants. So you see how important it
is to maintain these structures.
We have completed a very thorough interior and
exterior assessment. The assessment in itself was expensive, $20,000 plus.
The project is
set up in three phases:
Site
Mobilization……………………………………$ 24,037.86
Immediate
Priority………………………………….$ 89,561.05
Short
Term………………………………………….$ 88,116.89
Long
Term………………………………………….$ 1,981.85
Total
Project………………………………………..$ 203,697.65
If the project
is not completed in one continuous stage the site mobilization would be applied
each time the set up phase is repeated.
The cemetery has come a long way, because of friends like
you, but there is still much work to be done. Your tax-deductible contribution
will help us to preserve this cultural treasure by providing funds to help pay
for much-needed conservation work on the buildings, road and pathways as well
as provide necessary tools, equipment and other improvements to this National
Landmark.
Yours very truly,
G. Simms McDowell, III
Chairman
