Letter to the Editor: Thursday, April 17

Thanks for an Amenia team effort at cemetery

An article in the Harlem Valley Times 25 years ago highlighted the efforts of the Amenia Historical Society, aided by the manpower of the Amenia Highway Department, to clean up the old Amenia Burying Ground on Mygatt Road.
Bill and Janet Burke were new to the neighborhood in the year 2000 and were eager to improve the sad condition of the burying ground across the road. They shared their concern with the historical society members. Ann Linden responded wholeheartedly. Someone in the group called on Stanley Whitehead and his highway crew for assistance. AHS was very grateful for the work that was accomplished. From then on, Mr. Burke faithfully kept an eye on the place — until he was no longer able to do so.
Now, in 2025, a similar story is playing out. Sadly, it is without Bill Burke’s enthusiastic presence. However, in preparation for a special event at the cemetery, which is scheduled for April 26, historical society members have been concerned about the neglected place and the need to neaten up the grounds. Much to their relief, the Amenia highway department once again offered to help. This time it was through the good graces of Megan Chamberlin, following in Whitehead’s footsteps. On a rainy, cold morning last week, she mobilized men and machines to clear away years of decaying leaves, limbs and vines from under an old, rotten tree in the cemetery, doing AHS and the Town of Amenia a great favor.
Last fall, Northwest Landscaping did their annual job of removing leaves as best they could, but fallen tree limbs and vines hampered the leaf-blowing efforts. Just recently, Lee’s Tree Service did a great job removing limbs and branches from off the stone walls and cutting back the low hanging tree branches that endanger the ancient gravestones. Town Supervisor Leo Blackman has supported these endeavors.
The special ceremony at the cemetery, scheduled for April 26 at 2 p.m., is open to the public. AHS will be unveiling a sign to honor the Revolutionary War soldiers who were buried there. Three more cemeteries in Amenia will have similar events in the coming weeks, as we begin the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War. Thanks to our Amenia team effort at the cemetery, we are off to a good start.
Betsy Strauss,
Town Historian
Amenia