Cemetery project records

Series — Box: Department of Mental Health, Retardation, and Hospitals Cemetery Project records, 1974-2009 (2009-31)

Identifier: 2009-31

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The records are primarily photocopies of records accumulated by Mr. Browning during his work on the project. Includes correspondence, maps, color and black and white photographs, site alteration plans, media releases, cemetery indexes describing the cemeteries and lists of persons buried including information on age, date of death and lot number as well as a final report.

Dates

Creation: 1880-2009
Creation: Majority of material found within 2004-2008

Creator

Rhode Island. Department of Mental Health, Retardation, and Hospitals (1970-2010) (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

No special restrictions unless otherwise specified.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright is in the public domain unless otherwise specified. We reserve the right to restrict reproduction of materials due to preservation concerns.

Biographical / Historical

The Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals cemetery project was commenced in 2002. Its purpose was to restore and maintain state-owned burial sites and preserve the dignity of persons who died in the State Institutions. The records document surveys done to identify state-owned and private cemeteries on state property in Cranston and Exeter. Also documented are the efforts to re-inter the remains of inmates buried in the State Farm Cemetery that had been disturbed by erosion near the Route 37 right-of-way near Sockanosset Cross Road in Cranston due to nearby development. The department worked with several government agencies including but not limited to the Department of Transportation, the Department of Health, and the City of Cranston. Private agency involvement included the Public Archaeology Lab, Inc. of Pawtucket, and the Rhode Island Genealogical Society. The project was completed in 2009.

Extent

0.20 Cubic Feet (10 folders)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals cemetery project records consist of copies of correspondence, reports and photographs compiled and/or created by Chester A. Browning, Information Specialist of the Public Information Division.

Rhode Island Digital Archives

Digital Records

Custodial History

These are the records of Chester A. Browning, Project Director and Information Specialist of the Public Information Division of the Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals.