The Old Cutchogue Burying Ground in Cutchogue is situated at 32770 Main Road about a mile east of the Village Green (corner of Main Road and Harbor Lane), and is a sacred and historic site where the remains of Cutchogue’s settlers were laid to rest. Typical of its early time period, the Old Cutchogue Burying Ground is not located near a church; as a municipal burying ground, its burials were non-denominational. Also true to tradition, the headstones uniformly face to the west and footstones to the east, a reminder of the Christian belief in Christ’s Second Coming, when the deceased could sit up to witness this miracle with the rising sun. Recent preservation work includes a condition survey of the headstones, cleaning, and the beginning of repairs including resetting crooked stones and reattaching the broken pieces of stones that have already fallen.
In 2014, a Conditions Survey was completed by Joel Snodgrass (Steward Preservation Services) that recorded the data preserved on each stone and provided guidelines and priorities for conservation treatment. In 2015, work began with the help of volunteers to apply “D/2” antimicrobial solution that removed surface mold and lichens. Beginning in 2016, annual hands-on workshops have been offered that invite participants to join in the conservation treatment and preservation process. Please click on the links below to view the survey, alphabetical list of stones compiled in 1910, and description of the restoration now underway.
- Old Cutchogue Burying Ground Survey 2014Old Cutchogue Burying Ground Survey 2014 ALPHA Frost
- Steward Preservation Services Treatment Descriptions
- Old Cutchogue Burying Ground Workshop 5.4&5.18
With the help of volunteers, the Historical Council has photographed and recorded all of the inscriptions on surviving headstones and footstones. The images and data such as names, birth and death dates, and marital status have also been uploaded into a searchable database, BillionGraves.com. Click below for more information.
https://billiongraves.com/cem
