FRIENDS OF OAK RIDGE CEMETERY, Buchanan, Michigan 49107, was formed in the spring of 2003 with the primary objective of restoring and maintaining the beauty of Oak Ridge Cemetery. Our primary goal has been to clean and repair the grave stones and monuments in the old part of the cemetery.

FRIENDS meet on the third Tuesday 7:00 P.M. of every month (except December), are held at the First Presbyterian Church at 115 W.Front Street in Buchanan. In the summer we have work days, usually 9 a.m. to noon or 1 p.m., on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month (and at other times by arrangement) to clean and repair grave stones. See "About Us" for additional details.

In addition to cleaning and repairing grave stones in the cemetery, we have undertaken several other projects aimed at making the cemetery and the history of Buchanan more accessible to the public. These projects have included compiling information and erecting a memorial plaque to commemorate the village's first cemetery—the "Old Burying Ground" now known as Kathryn Park. A similar plaque was erected on May 10, 2008, listing the names of all persons buried in the Cemetery's Potter's Field (public grounds). October 30, 2008 the overhead arch was added to the columns of the Front Street entrance so the project is complete except for landscaping Every year (2003-2008) we have sponsored a Cemetery Walk, highlighting individuals/families from Buchanan's history. In 2005 we have published a cemetery index or census, listing all individuals buried in the cemetery through December 2004. In 2008, we reprinted "The Story of Portage Prairie" by Alma B (Vite) Hartline.

Friends of Oak Ridge Cemetery does its best to respond to genealogical inquiries concerning persons who lived in the Buchanan area, especially questions about where someone is buried. Friends will photograph tombstone for a small donation and postage to mail photographs.

See "Projects" and "Publications" for more details.

2010 Meetings:
January 19 — Discussion on first 3 chapters of "Greetings from Buchanan" by Leo J. Goodsell & Robert C. Myers.

February 16 — Continue discussion on Greetings from Buchanan.

March 16 — Continue discussion on Greetings from Buchanan and related chapters from Buchanan's Heritage by Don Ryman (BPS 1984).

April 20 — At Presbyterian Church. Discussion of Chapter 6, Transportation in the book "Greets from Buchanan".

May 18 — Election of officers. Location at the American Legion at 403 E. Front Street. The speaker is Pam O'Connor talking about the completed research for the downtown historical district and the in-progress for the residential area of Buchanan.

June 15 — At Presbyterian Church. Members show and tell.

July 20 — Tentative - an evening walk in Oak Ridge with emphasis on symbolism on grave markers.

August 17 — At Presbyterian Church.

September 21 — At Presbyterian Church.

October 19 — At Presbyterian Church.

November 16 — At Presbyterian Church.

December — No meeting.