New committee to preserve Ridges' history

by Becca Manning
Staff Writer

The memory of those who lived at The Ridges and were buried in its cemeteries has inspired a group dedicated to repairing and preserving that memory.

Ohio University already helps mow and maintain the grounds. But the cemetery stones - broken, fading and toppling down - need more attention, local cemetery historian Terry Gilkey said.

The group, which consists of Athens and OU community members, Ohio Department of Mental Health officials and others, met Thursday to discuss their hopes and goals for the three cemeteries on The Ridges.

Basic repair, such as righting and fixing headstones and cutting overgrowth, is the first of the group's three main goals, said Susan Culbertson, area director of Southeast Ohio for the Ohio Department of Mental Health.

Members also formed an educational committee to compile The Ridges' history.

"I think before we start anything, we need to understand that this is sacred ground," Culbertson said.

Others said they wanted to clear up many of the myths surrounding the old mental health hospital and its cemeteries.

"It's just become this scary, spooky place on the hill," said Shelly Horvath, health educator for the Athens City-County Health Department.

Horvath and Culbertson said they are gathering cost estimates for the installation of a wrought iron fence and archway around part of the oldest cemetery. Money for the fencing will come from the Ohio Department of Mental Health's capital budget if the project occurs.

The fencing is part of the project's second main goal, which also involves planting flowers and shrubbery around the cemeteries, Culbertson said. "It gives dignity back to the area again."

Additional ideas included transforming the cemeteries into park-like areas with benches and paths connecting the three plots and placing a permanent listing of those buried on The Ridges in the cemeteries as a memorial. But these are the groups' dreams, Culbertson said.

Some gravestones now are marked only with numbers to protect the privacy of the families of the deceased. Group members are looking into whether the names now can be released, Culbertson said.

Others said they wanted to see those buried finally honored.

"I think it is time that people be given their names again," said Tom Walker, an OU Latin American Studies professor and vice president of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill - Athens.

The committee will meet at the cemetery behind The Ridges ball fields at 1 p.m. on April 22 to cut back overgrowth. Anyone interested in helping with the cemetery project can contact Culbertson at 614-644-7789.