2004 Annual Report Letter from the Chairman and Vice Chairman September 14, 2004 Letter from the Chairman & Vice Chairman A great number of projects have gotten underway since 2001 when the Friends of the Valley Cemetery formed a partnership with the City of Manchester to restore and maintain this historic cemetery. The Preservation Master Plan, prepared by Martha Lyon, is now being started. The Currier Gate and fence on Auburn Street have been removed for restoration, unhealthy trees have been taken out and new ones planted, the road between the Currier Gate and the City Tomb is being prepared for resurfacing, and streetlights will be installed on the edge of the new road. With the future in mind, Friends has established a maintenance endowment to ensure that funds are available for ongoing care of the cemetery. Martha Lyon has written a detailed maintenance plan that will act as a guide. The pictures on the next two pages illustrate the work being done and show some of the community events that have taken place at the cemetery. One of those events was a tour for local students, an on-site history lesson, where the children learned about many of the people buried in the cemetery who are an important part of Manchester's history. The Valley Cemetery is a beautiful park in the center of Manchester - an oasis in New Hampshire's largest city for everyone to enjoy. Unfortunately, many residents have never visited the cemetery. To acquaint people, the Friends held their Second Annual Strawberry Festival in June. John Jordan conducted tours, art was on display, a band played, actors portrayed historical figures buried in the cemetery, and everyone was served strawberry shortcake. It has been a productive year with many improvements taking place at the cemetery; however, there is still much work to be done. Thanks to a cooperative relationship with the city, vital volunteer efforts, and support from the community, Friends of the Valley Cemetery will continue its mission to restore this city’s treasure to its original beauty. John Wood                                    Richard Duckoff Chairman                                       Vice Chairman

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