Things have been pretty “lively” at the Nederland Town Cemetery lately.

Just a few days prior to the recent annual clean-up of the cemetery by members of the Nederland Community Presbyterian Church, Dr. Lauren Hosek, assistant professor of Anthropology at the University of Colorado, Boulder, spoke to church members following Sunday services about the ongoing Nederland Cemetery Research and Restoration Project she is leading.

Funded in part by a History Colorado State Historical Fund Grant, the project brings together students from CU and local volunteers to further document and research Nederland Town Cemetery. The research team is building on previous records to create new ways for the public to interact with and learn about this historic site.

They are conducting non-invasive surveys of the cemetery grounds, using metal detectors to reveal coffin nail locations which can outline a buried casket, and ground penetrating radar to reveal possible unmarked graves. In addition, a survey by Colorado Forensic Canines trained to locate human remains, is being conducted.

These efforts will help create an up-to-date and searchable map of the cemetery which can be accessed online. The information will also be used to update the online FindAGrave website with photos and grave coordinates.

Partners in this team effort include board members and volunteers from the Nederland Area Historical Society, Historical Archaeologist Michelle Slaughter with Statistical Research, Inc., and Postgrad GIS Specialist Sean Kosman from CU Boulder, all coordinated by Dr. Hosek.

The cemetery clean-up was organized by Nederland Community Presbyterian Church member Jim Reis. Joining him were church members Paula Gipp, B.G. Brooks, Debbie Stevens, Alisha Reis, David Copeland, Jeff and Margie Yansura, Bob Kochen, Frank Kelly, and Mark Haynes, along with Linda Glasser.