Piper looks to add to Lewiston cemetery, potter's field

As the Village of Lewiston bicentennial year comes to a close, I have decided to embark on one more important project relevant to Lewiston's history.

With the overwhelming support I received to make the potter's field monument and memorial bench, I am again asking for donations to help finish raising the remaining funds needed to make the Lewiston Cemetery historical plaque to be placed in the Oakwood section of the cemetery near the oak trees that line the perimeter of the newer section. With the assistance of Mayor Welch and Tom Collister of HAL, we are working together on the final draft outlining its history from 1812 to the present. It will be of cast bronze mounted onto a boulder provided by the Village DPW.

With the remaining funds from the potter's field fund, and the generous donations that have been received to date, I am still $900 short of my goal to complete this project.

As village historian, it is important to me to be able to record and preserve the history of the oldest cemetery in Niagara County. The vast majority of the early settlers in the village are interred here, and they need to be honored and remembered for their part in Lewiston's history. The same as the unknown interred in potter's field.

I am hoping for a May 2023 dedication ceremony, if I can raise the final funding to start the project. I am using the same foundry that created the statues for the Freedom Crossing and Tuscarora Heroes monuments. Looking at a three- to four-month timeframe to have it created and shipped here for mounting on the boulder. Hoping to have the funds in place as soon as can be deemed possible.

As village historian, I welcome one and all to come to the Red Brick Building and view my personal collection of local history on display on the first floor offices and hallway, as well as the museum room itself. I would be more than happy to share the background of the various pieces.

Again, thank you in advance for any support that might be afforded me to make this project a reality.

Russ Piper

Village of Lewiston historian/cemetery gatekeeper