The following interview originally appeared in the August 2002 issue of The Valley Update newsletter. Recently, the Friends talked with Martha Lyon, head of Paysage, the organization creating a master plan for the renovation of the Valley Cemetery. Here are some highlights: Friends: What do you think of the overall Condition of the Valley Cemetery? Martha Lyon: As an historic landscape, I would rate Valley Cemetery's condition as fair. Many historic landscapes with which Paysage has been involved have not retained much of their integrity, meaning that the features that defined their historic character have been lost. Valley Cemetery still holds hundreds of exquisite grave markers, several pieces of notable architecture, many historic trees, its original iron fencing and gates. Hidden under the overgrown trees and shrubs lies its unique system of paths, steps and carriage ways. Its condition is fair because of poor care, not because it lacks historic features and overall integrity. F: How would you compare this to other cemeteries that you have been involved with? ML: Unfortunately, the state of Valley Cemetery matches that of many of America's historic urban cemeteries. Damaged grave markers, graffiti-ed buildings, failing retaining walls, crumbling iron fencing and struggling trees typify these landscapes. What's unusual about Valley Cemetery is the major sewer-line running through the middle of it, and the sewer overflow structure located just below the City Tomb. These are major eyesores (and stench-producers) that have significantly altered the look of the cemetery. In the past, Paysage has not encountered such a monumental feature marring a cemetery landscape. F: What are the most important things to be done? ML: Past experience with dozens of historic landscapes has proved to me that it is always best to tackle elements that affect the entire landscape first, and then work slowly downward to the smaller, individual features. At Valley Cemetery, this means addressing the perimeter fencing and retaining walls, road and path systems, signs and trees first, and restoring individual monuments and markers later (except for those that are in urgent need of preservation). Landscape-wide improvements have a larger immediate impact, making the place more visible, appearing to visitors, and less attractive to vandals. F: What concerns do you have? ML: I believe the long-term fate of the Valley Cemetery landscape lies largely on the outcome of the sewer mitigation project. The "valley" covers roughly 1/3 of the cemetery landscape and was, at one time, a Manchester attraction. Without an adequate solution to the sewer line - a solution that addresses both the functional AND aesthetic aspects of the line - it will be hard to restore the landscape's integrity. This is a very costly project that will take many years to complete. Often times when projects of this type lag over many years, the aesthetic vision gets lost. The Friends of Valley Cemetery will need to keep abreast of this project, and remain involved in the process of deciding what happens in the valley.

Return to the 2003 Annual Report                
Return to the Friends Home Page