- You Are Here:
- Home
- Government
- Departments
- Planning
- Warrensville West Cemetery
Warrensville West Cemetery Historic Preservation Master Plan
-
In spring 2022, the City began to establish a meadow with mown paths at Warrensville West Cemetery, as recommended in the Historic Preservation Master Plan.
-
Fall 2022
-
Winter 2022
-
Warrensville West Cemetery is located within the Shaker Town Center commercial district, is just over one acre, and is owned and maintained by the City of Shaker Heights.
-
The Cemetery is the second oldest burial ground in Cuyahoga County with graves dating back to the early 1800s.
-
It is the final resting place of Pioneer Families, Manx Settlers, Veterans of five Wars, founders of Warrensville Township, and North Union Shakers.
-
The City, Shaker Heights Historical Society and the Shaker Heights Public Library are working with experts to create a Historic Preservation Master Plan for Warrensville West Cemetery.
-
Gravestone Restoration Workshop: Gravestone consultant Ta Mara Conde resets the gravestone of Mary Bogden.
-
Gravestone Restoration Workshop: Sonia and Colin reset the grave of the John E. Adams family’s mother.
-
Gravestone Restoration Workshop: Gravestone specialist Ta Mara Conde demonstrates appropriate gravestone cleaning.
-
Gravestone Restoration Workshop: Jessie and Jon clean and reset the gravestone of the William D. Meyne family’s “mother.
-
The Shaker Historical Society, Shaker Heights Public Library, and the City commemorated Veterans Day with a tour that honored the cemetery’s veterans, including those from the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican War, Civil War, and World War II. Local History Librarian, Meghan Hays (Right), shares the history of Moor/Moore Bell, a veteran of the War of 1812.
-
In spring 2022, the City began plan implementation by minimizing mowing to return the cemetery to its 19th century meadow-like appearance.
-
In spring 2022, the City began plan implementation by minimizing mowing to return the cemetery to its 19th century meadow-like appearance.
Warrensville West Cemetery is located within the Shaker Town Center commercial district, is just over one acre, and is owned and maintained by the City of Shaker Heights. The first burial took place in 1811, making it the second-oldest burial ground in Cuyahoga County.
The cemetery was designated as a local Landmark in 1976 and is a contributing site to the Shaker Village National Register Historic District. It is the final resting place of Pioneer Families, Manx Settlers, Veterans of five Wars, founders of Warrensville Township, and North Union Shakers. The cemetery’s last burial took place in 1955 and has fallen into disrepair throughout the years.
Learn more about the history of Warrensville West Cemetery and take a self-guided tour.
Warrensville West Cemetery Historic Preservation Master Plan
The City of Shaker Heights, in partnership with the Shaker Historical Society and Shaker Heights Public Library, has completed a Historic Preservation Master Plan for Warrensville West Cemetery. The Plan identifies existing resources and creates a framework to preserve, protect, and maintain the burial ground's historical, archaeological, architectural, and cultural value, will increase the site’s attractiveness, and will assure that maintenance and security are properly guided. The Historic Preservation Master Plan for the cemetery provides a roadmap to preserve one of Cuyahoga County's oldest burial sites and protect the remains of the people interred there.
This Plan includes:
- Ground-penetrating radar (PDF)
- Survey, documentation, and mapping of current conditions
- Recommendations and prioritization of necessary repairs
- Conceptual landscape plan
- Maintenance plan
- Safety/security plan
Implementation
On April 29, 2022, the City began to establish a meadow with mown paths, as recommended in the Plan. Watch the video below to experience the transformation (and also see this Google Map capture of the early progress in establishing the meadow).
The City is pursuing grant applications to reset and repair damaged gravestones, a priority project recommended in the Warrensville West Cemetery Historic Preservation Master Plan.
Schedule
| Dates | Milestones |
|---|---|
| September 2021 | Project kick-off |
| September-October 2021 | Stakeholder meetings |
| October 23, 2021 | Gravestone Preservation Workshop View the Powerpoint (PDF) | View the Gravestone Conservation Booklet (PDF) |
| November 11, 2021 | Veterans Day Cemetery Tour (PDF) |
| December 8, 2021 | Presentation of Draft Plan View the Powerpoint (PDF) | View the Meeting Video |
| March 2022 | Plan completion |
| April 25, 2022 | Council adopts plan (view the plan) |
Documents
- Historic Preservation Master Plan for Warrensville West Cemetery (PDF)
- Warrensville West Cemetery Self-Guided Tour (PDF)
- Draft Master Plan Presentation—December 8, 2021 (PDF)
- Conservation Workshop Booklet (PDF)
- Ground Penetrating Radar Survey Report for Warrensville West Cemetery (PDF)
- Stakeholder Meeting #1 Powerpoint
- Stakeholder Meeting #2 Powerpoint
- Gravestone Restoration Workshop Powerpoint
- Examples of natural cemeteries:
- Bigelow Cemetery Nature Preserve
- Smith Cemetery State Nature Preserve
- Monroe Cemetery (Monroe, OH)
News
Shaker gets historical grant for 200-year-old cemetery, gravesites: City Council recap (Cleveland.com)
History & Cemetery Tour Guides
- Warrensville West Cemetery (ClevelandHistorical.org)
- Pioneers, Manxmen and Shakers at the Warrensville West Cemetery (ClevelandHistorical.org)
- Warrensville West Cemetery Scavenger Hunt (PDF)
- Warrensville West Veterans Day Tour Handout (PDF)
- Warrensville West Self-Guided Early Settlers Tour (PDF)
Staff Contacts
Planning Department: Email Kara Hamley O’Donnell or call 216-491-1436