2018 Preservation Achievement Award: Trinity Churchyard Cemetery Fence
Over 400 feet of iron fence separates the historic Trinity Churchyard Cemetery from NH Route 175 in Holderness. The cemetery is perhaps best known for the 1797 Trinity Church, a rare early Episcopalian church listed to the National Register of Historic Places. Yet when the cemetery trustees noticed that the fence was failing in several locations, they recognized the fence was an important historic object in its own right.
StandFast Works Forge was hired to make repairs to the existing fence, replace in-kind missing elements, and remove trees and roots that were causing misalignment along the length of the fence. Because of the sensitive environment (digging in a cemetery requires special protocol), the workers were very deliberate when it came to shoring up the granite bases.
1797 Trinity Church is listed to the National Register of Historic Places.
The restoration project happened at just the right time. Had the trustees waited longer to repair the fence, the cost and damage would have been much greater, according to StandFast. But thanks to the good planning and actions of the trustees, the fence will continue to remain an important feature in the historic Trinity Churchyard Cemetery.
Upon accepting the award, trustee Pete Barnum stated that the fence is just the beginning. Future work will include drainage and structural improvements to the Trinity Church. And though the neighbors aren't talking, we can assume they're pleased with the results, too.
