The Friends of Sleepy Hollow

The Friends of Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Inc., has a Mission: to promote the beautification, appreciation of and advancement of the Cemetery, which provides a peaceful venue to reflect on the lives of the people buried here.

A SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY

The Friends of Sleepy Hollow Cemetery has initiated a Commemoration deservedly honoring Concord’s 19th Century Female Anti-Slavery Society.

The Society was unique in its membership of White and Black women, including Susan Garrison and her daughter Ellen.

Several members of the Society are interred in Sleepy Hollow.

The Commemorative plaque and flowering tree will be located in a highly significant place in the Cemetery.

A public Dedication Ceremony will be announced.

To support this effort conveniently, please use the Donate button below.

Donations can also be made by check to:
The Friends of Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Inc.
Post Office Box 313
Concord, Massachusetts 01742-0313

2024 GRAVE MARKER CLEANING

Recently, representative Board Directors gave their services as they have done in the past to clean selected grave markers in the Cemetery as a project, consistent with the Mission of The Friends to continuing the enhancement and beautification of the Cemetery, one of Concord's treasures.

The work was carried out under the skilled direction of Board member Jim Fannin and his wife Minxie, principals of their Restorative Consultants firm.

Left to right: Kevin Thomas Plodzik, John Gardella, Nancy Reilly, Sarah Kirkpatrick, Sue Leone, Paul Murphy, Beth Stone Railsback, Jim Fannin, Sylvia Sawyer, Minxie Fannin, Priscilla White Sturges.

2023 LANDSCAPE PRESERVATION AWARD RECOGNITION

On May 25th, 2023, the Concord Historical Commission awarded in a public ceremony a 2023 Landscape Preservation Award to The Friends. The Award recognizes the preservation, restoration, or maintenance of landscapes, grounds, and gardens related to historic sites. We extend sincere gratitude to the Historical Commission for this distinctive honor, as we continue our service to the Cemetery in this third decade.

Our Mission cannot be realized without the extensive support of our donors via our Annual Fall Appeal. Once again, we thank each of you heartily.

Joining Board President Kevin Thomas Plodzik at the Awards Ceremony were colleague Directors John Gardella, Nancy Reilly, and Jim Fannin. Also in attendance was Priscilla White Sturges.

SHARING OUR HISTORY, ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AND FUTURE PLANS

The Board accepted the kind invitation from two local organizations to present information about The Friends to their members. These were the Concord Rotary Club and The Council on Aging. Two Directors of our Board, Priscilla White Sturges and Kevin Thomas Plodzik, shared, either via ZOOM or in a hybrid format, our history, accomplishments, and future plans, with audiences, and entertained questions. We extend full appreciation to the two hosting organizations for providing these opportunities.

The Concord Chamber of Commerce offered the opportunity to us to present a “Spotlight Video” featuring our organization. Cordial appreciation is extended to the Chamber. The video clip was filmed most recently on location in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, narrated by Kevin Thomas Plodzik, and shown on the Chamber’s website. Through the courtesy of the Managing Director of the Chamber, the Video is available to watch here.