Historic Black Lebanon Cemetery reopens to the public after tombstones were overturned
Update: The cemetery reopened to the public on Sunday, May 26, according to a Facebook post.
Reported earlier:
The historic Black Lebanon Cemetery is now closed after another toppled headstone was found Wednesday, according to a Facebook post.
"We do not know if this is a new incident or if the stone was one of many that were disturbed during the week of May 13, 2024," the post states.
At least seven tombstones were found overtuned in the cemetery last week. Samantha Dorm, president of the Lebanon Cemetery Company, said two of them belonged to her ancestors.
The cemetery, located in North York, has more than 2,000 stones, and members of the volunteer company "need to secure resources to assess the safety of the entire property," the post states.
They need to physically audit the condition of the stones, Dorm said.
It is closed effective immediately, and no one is permitted on the property without prior authorization, the post states.
"We are working hard to have the cemetery open before Memorial Day, May 27th, 2024, so that we can honor our veterans who laid down their lives for our country," the post states.
Anyone with information may contact Northern York County Regional Police at (717) 292-3647.
Dorm said the board is having a meeting this evening, and it hopes to have an update for families by tomorrow.
Families of loved ones who are buried there are encouraged to provide contact information so the cemetery can reach them to share any news, Dorm said.
Those who wish to contact the cemetery company may call 717-819-9448, or email to lebanoncemeterycompany@gmail.com, or send information via mail to Lebanon Cemetery Company, PO Box 7204, York, PA 17404.
Check back later as this is a developing story.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Historic Black Lebanon Cemetery closes immediately after vandalism
