The Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization was founded in May of 1983 by current President Edward W. Taylor Jr. and the late Katherine M. Wolford (pictured below). The first activity was a tour to visit historic graves of SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery located on Fayette St., Cumberland. This was held during the towns annual historic festival Heritage Days. This festival is always held the second weekend in June. The CHCO began to grow in membership. In 1985 the board of directors decided that the organization would never use government grants. Only private funds are used to perform the corporal works of mercy of the organization.   CHCO has a great mission. To erect and restore monuments. Give tours and promote cemetery history. Pray for and honor the deceased. To date the CHCO has erected and restored hundreds of monuments. The CHCO believes that as much information as possible should be engraved on a monument. This is for future generations to know as much about the dead as possible. The monuments are located in area cemeteries and as far away as Micanopy, FL, at the Historic Micanopy Cemetery.   As noted before the focus weekend for cemetery tours is Heritage Days, second weekend each June. Several times a year tours are given to school groups of Sumner Cemetery on Yale St in Cumberland. Tours can be arranged of any adopted cemetery of the CHCO by calling 301-724-2295 or 301-722-4624. See list and information about cemeteries later in the website. Each first Saturday of every month, the CHCO prays the Holy Rosary at St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church, locted in nearby Ridgely, WV. Service begins at 12 noon. Public welcome. This service is to pray for the Souls in Purgatory.   The seal of the Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization was designed by the late co-found of the organization Katherine M. Wolford. The organization became affiliated with St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery in Cumberland in 1988. Katherine went to the cemetery an painted a historic scene. It included some of the most historic and beautiful monuments with the Cumberland Narrows in the background. Since that time the seal has been placed on the organization flag, all CHCO literature and all monuments erected by the organization. Photo: Last photo taken in 1995 of founders of the CHCO Katherine M. Wolford and Edward W. Taylor Jr. with the organization banner.   Get your copy while they last 1970 Preservation Society publications of significant Public Buildings and Homes in Allegany County, MD Availavle for $20.00 includes shipping Send Name and Address with check or money order to: Mary C. Miltenberger 14701 Smouse's Mill Road NE Cumberland, MD 21502 301-724-9110