De Pere Greenwood Cemetery broke ground on its restoration project along the Fox River, November 27, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
LEDGEVIEW, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A restoration project is shoring up history at a De Pere cemetery.
De Pere Greenwood Cemetery broke ground on its $2.5 million restoration project Monday.
The cemetery sits on the banks of the Fox River, just south of the city of De Pere. Founded in 1859, it’s the oldest non-denominational cemetery in Brown County and is the final resting place for many well-known people and families from the area.
The restoration project addresses erosion issues and involves removing undesirable trees, controlling invasive species, and implementing erosion control measures using rock riprap and native vegetation.
Jewels Sowers, president of the De Pere Greenwood Cemetery Association, says more than 40 graves had to be relocated for fear they would fall into the river and many more are at risk.
She says it’s a park-like cemetery that not only holds historic significance but natural beauty for the community to enjoy as well.
“From Syble Hopp, to teachers, to sea captains, to the founders of the De Pere-Green Bay area, they’re buried here, and they wanted to be here, they have monuments to be remembered by because of who they are and for family to come and remember. We have families that come with third and fourth generations coming here to see where grandmas and grandpas and great grandmas and stuff are buried. It’s fun to see the little ones come around and put colored pictures on the graves, it’s precious, it just is, and that needs to be preserved,” she said.
The project received a $1 million grant from the state, however an additional $1.5 million is needed to complete the project. The De Pere Greenwood Cemetery Association is calling for community support, emphasizing the importance of preserving the cemetery’s historical and ecological value. Volunteers are also sought to assist with various tasks.
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