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About the Old Cemeteries Society of VictoriaThe Old Cemeteries Society of Victoria is a registered non-profit
society in British Columbia. Our goal is to encourage the research, preservation and appreciation of Greater Victoria's heritage cemeteries. OCS Officers 2010/2011
The Old Cemeteries Society (OCS) started informally in 1983. It brought together people from the Victoria Genealogical Society, several local monument makers and many private citizens who were interested in the preservation of Victoria's beautiful and historic cemeteries. By 1984, these groups had formed the Old Cemeteries Committee under the sponsorship of the Victoria Historical Society. They wanted to present a united front to the Victoria City Council so they could request more action on such things as vandalism. From the first, the committee wanted to raise the awareness of neighbours of the cemeteries and of the local police to try and encourage a crackdown on vandals. The committee also formed volunteer patrols of the cemeteries at high-vandalism times such as Halloween. In 1985, the committee decided that raising the public (and City Council) awareness of all the issues facing old cemeteries was essential to protecting the cemeteries. Later that year, the committee held a symposium that brought together researchers and conservation experts from all over the province and Alberta. This went so well that more symposiums were held, in 1987, 1995 and 1997. In 1988 and 1989, vandalism was at an all time high in Ross Bay Cemetery. Because of increased public awareness, a huge public outcry resulted in large media coverage. The city imposed a curfew, set up paid security patrols and for the first time, funded the repair of damaged gravestones. In 1990, the Old Cemeteries Committee formed its own society called the Old Cemeteries Society. The Old Cemeteries Committee decided that regular walking history tours were another good way to raise awareness of the cemeteries. Beginning in September 1987, volunteers of the committee began giving walking tours. The Old Cemeteries Society continues the Walking History Tour Program, with tours attracting up to 90 people on any given Sunday. A small fee is charged for the tours to raise money for ongoing conservation and restoration work in Victoria's heritage cemeteries. History Tours have expanded to include a School Program, Ghost Bus-tours of the city's haunted sites at Halloween and out-of-town bus excursions to more distant cemeteries and historical sites. Other major projects (some ongoing) have included: 2006 - The Old Cemeteries Society has received the 2006 Heritage Society of BC Outstanding Achievement Award for Heritage Advocacy ... Click here to read more 2007 - The Old Cemeteries Society of Victoria and the Victoria Historical Society co-hosted the 2007 British Columbia Historical Federation Conference, May 10 - 13, in Victoria, BC. 2007 - Old Cemeteries Society Website wins the 2007 BC Historical Federation Website Contest 2008 - Historica Fair Program - Scores of Historica kids and chaperones attended tours, cleaning sessions and recording instruction at Ross Bay cemetery on Thursday, Jul 10, 2008. Students use the medium of their choice to tell stories about Canadian heroes, legends, milestones, and achievements - and present the results of their research at a public exhibition. View their blog about Ross Bay Cemetery 2009 - Two bouts of vandalism at Ross Bay Cemetery. The first in August claimed about 13 stones and the second in December damaged another 50. The City ofVictoria Parks staff authorized Mortimers Monumental Works to repair all the damage. Jump to: Top of
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