August 7, 2003 Mr. John Wood, Chairman Friends of Valley Cemetery P.O. Box 1316 Manchester, NH 03105 Re: Preservation Efforts at Valley Cemetery Dear John: On behalf of Paysage, I am pleased to provide the following report on preservation efforts at Valley Cemetery for the Friends' Annual Report. The recent New Hampshire Land & Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) grant, along with several other grants and donations, have allowed preservation of the cemetery to begin. Paysage was delighted to have the opportunity to continue work at the cemetery, and as the firm's proprietor, I am honored to be managing the preservation effort. The Preservation Master Plan, completed in August of 2002, outlined nine preservation projects. With the LCHIP grant and marching funds, the first project will be completed. It includes restoration of the Auburn Street stone wall and cast iron fence, gate posts, cast iron urns, paving and planting at the Currier entrance, lighting from the entrance to the tomb, and stabilization of the Ayer Tomb. Other additions will include shade tree plantings along the cemetery's northern edge, and a sign that will welcome visitors to Valley Cemetery. The most significant and visible part of the project is the removal, repair, repainting and re-installation of the Currier gates. In July, Cassidy Brothers Forge removed the double carriage gates and two pedestrian gates and transported them to their headquarters in Rowley, Massachusetts. Over the winter, the forge will strip the existing paint, repair all damaged parts, and coat the metal with "Amoskeag Green" paint. The Friends can look forward to the gates' return sometime next Summer. Paysage will complete the drawings and specifications for the wall, fence, paving, plantings, lighting, signs and Ayer Tomb this fall, and the city will seek competitive bids for construction. Work on the fence is scheduled to begin this winter, and other improvements will be made in the spring. The Friends have made a tremendous contribution to saving this important piece of Manchester's history, and I am thrilled to be part of their efforts. I look forward to seeing the first stage of renewal at Valley Cemetery, come 2004. Sincerely, Martha H. Lyon, ASLA Proprietor

Return to the 2003 Annual Report                Click HERE to read an interview with Marth Lyon about the Valley Cemetery project
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