Nov. 16, 2023

Episode 159 - Gravestones Reclaimed: Stories of Restored Headstones

Episode 159 - Gravestones Reclaimed: Stories of Restored Headstones

Jennie and Dianne share three captivating stories of headstones found in unusual places and how they were restored to the cemeteries where they belong. They begin with the story of a WWII veteran's headstone discovered in a backyard in St. Petersburg, Florida. Next they journey to Pennsylvania to visit the oldest narrow gauge railroad in the U.S.; East Broad Top Railroad's mission to return a Civil War hero's gravestone after 118 years results in a touching family reunion. And finally, they unveil the remarkable restoration of a woman's headstone, once discarded near a dumpster, far from the cemetery where she was laid to rest. Tune in for these Ordinary Extraordinary stories of current generations restoring peace and dignity to those in the past.

CO0067P - Evergreen Cemetery Benevolent Society: Please help us Remember, Honor, and Teach on December 16, 2023 at 10:00 am (Wreath Placement Immediately Following Ceremony) by sponsoring a wreath, volunteering, or inviting friends to help. https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/42498/Overview

To learn more about East Broad Top Railroad, follow this link: https://eastbroadtop.com/

*Photo of William Henry Matthews' Grave by R.C. www.findagrave.com *Photo of Andrew Gamble's by EBT www.trains.com

Resources used to research this episode include:
, Trains.Com. "East Broad Top and historians solve mystery of unclaimed Civil War veteran’s headstone ." https://www.trains.com. 13 Nov. 2023. www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/east-broad-top-and-historians-solve-mystery-of-unclaimed-civil-war-veterans-headstone/. Accessed 13 Nov. 2023.

, Times Staff Writer. "Headstone discovered in St. Petersburg yard launches a quest for answers ." https://www.tampabay.com. 31 July 2018. www.tampabay.com/news/Headstone-discovered-in-St-Petersburg-yard-launches-a-quest-for-answers_170462798/. Accessed 13 Nov. 2023.

Lawrence White, D'Ann. "Lost 66-Year-Old Headstone Returned To WWII Veteran's Grave ." https://patch.com. 7 Aug. 2018. patch.com/florida/stpete/lost-66-year-old-headstone-returned-wwii-veterans-grave. Accessed 13 Nov. 2023.

, R.C. "William Henry Matthews ." https://www.findagrave.com. 20 June 2019. www.findagrave.com/memorial/200325409/william-henry-matthews?_gl=1*h789xf*_gcl_au*MTEwMTM4NDA2Ny4xNjkyODAxNzIy*_ga*MTE3ODc2MTA3MS4xNjYzNjkxMTEx*_ga_4QT8FMEX30*M2I0OWI4OGEtMzE5ZC00YmNmLTljNmEtYjdiYjBlNmYwYTMxLjQuMS4xNzAwMDA2Njg0LjU0LjAuMA..*_ga_LMK6K2LSJH*M2I0OWI4OGEtMzE5ZC00YmNmLTljNmEtYjdiYjBlNmYwYTMxLjEuMS4xNzAwMDA2Njg0LjAuMC4w. Accessed 13 Nov. 2023.

, TonyElvis. "Andrew Jackson Gamble ." https://www.findagrave.com. 15 May 2023. www.findagrave.com/memorial/254010576/andrew-jackson-gamble. Accessed 13 Nov. 2023.