Oak Hill Cemetery Committee

Committee Overview:

In 2022, the Douglas County Historical Society, which manages the Watkins Museum of History, joined with Friends of Oak Hill Cemetery to create the Oak Hill Cemetery Committee. Now a standing committee of the Douglas County Historical Society Board of Directors, the group is dedicated to creating a legacy of care, preservation, and community support for Oak Hill Cemetery.

If you are interested in volunteering with the committee or would like to report an issue at Oak Hill Cemetery please contact the Watkins Museum at [email protected].

Donate to future Oak Hill Cemetery programs
and preservation projects today!

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Interested in volunteering for cemetery cleanup days? Join our email list to be informed of future events!

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Committee Updates

Learn about the latest Oak Hill Cemetery Committee news and projects here.

Oak Hill Headstone Conservation Project

In October 2022, the Oak Hill Cemetery Committee and the City of Lawrence began working in partnership with Pacific Coast Conservation on a treatment plan for select monuments in Oak Hill cemetery. Funding from the project came from a 2021 Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council Natural and Cultural Heritage Grant.

Learn More
Trained volunteers cleaning the John Speer family monument in preparation for Pacific Coast Conservators work
Trained volunteer cleaning tablet base to rest the unbroken portion of monument.

Our History

Friends of Oak Hill Cemetery was formed by a group of concerned citizens in the spring of 2017 in response to the deterioration of the grounds and monuments at Oak Hill. At this time, Oak Hill had recently been added to the National Register of Historic Places and was in visible need of maintenance, conservation, and preservation efforts. Their work included fundraising for conservation efforts, promotion of community awareness, and coordinating hands on volunteer opportunities.

In 2019, Friends of Oak Hill Cemetery was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) organization in the state of Kansas. The organization’s goal was to recognize and preserve the historic significance of Oak Hill Cemetery now and for generations to come.

In June 2022, the Douglas County Historical Society, which manages the Watkins Museum of History, merged with Friends of Oak Hill Cemetery. Working in partnership with the City of Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department, the newly formed DCHS Oak Hill Committee will provide preservation advice, continue long-standing programs like cemetery tours and cleanup days, and develop new ways to help the public experience and appreciate this historic place. The seven month plan and merger was led by led by Sarah Bishop of Coneflower Consulting.