Event
Adopt a Plot at the Iris Festival
Fee:
Free.Dates & Times
Date:
Time:
Duration:
Type of Event
Saturday, May 15, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Sunday, May 16, 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Description
The city of Greeneville holds its annual "Iris Festival" adjacent to the Andrew Johnson NHS. This year, Andrew Johnson National Historic Site is looking for volunteers for their new “Adopt-a-Plot” program at the National Cemetery. Park staff wil have an information table set up at the town's Iris Festival.
Andrew Johnson National Cemetery holds nearly 2000 plots where the sacred remains of America’s veterans are interred. The “Adopt-a-Plot” program is for folks who can make a one-year commitment to look after and care for a small section of the cemetery. Organizers suggest volunteers make at least six visits a year to their assigned plots for things like headstone cleaning, releveling sunken plots, and removing weeds and planting grass.
All supplies needed will be furnished by the park, however participants are encouraged to use their own tools if any are needed.
The Adopt-a-Plot project not only helps park staff better maintain the cemetery, but also strives to instill a sense of reverence for the site and those interred within its hallowed grounds. Volunteers will be required to attend in-person training prior to being allowed to work in the cemetery. This 1.5 hour workshop will include a guided interpretive cemetery walk as well as hands on training for what is expected of program participants.
If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity, find us at the Iris Festival - or please send an email to adam_rymer@nps.gov to register for the training.