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Conversations are evolving in the following areas:

 History  

Looking through the lens of history offers a wonderful way to better understand our present lives, community and society. Those who managed Maple Grove before us left a rich legacy of non-sectarian, community-oriented policies, and thorough historical records. We have already begun research to uncover information about the African-American individuals and families whose gravesites are located in the South Border section of Maple Grove. We hope to learn much about the social, political, economic, and health conditions in our surrounding community a century ago. We will develop materials and programs to help school children and community visitors “make connections” between past and present times.

We are collaborating with the Richmond Hill Historical Society, the Long Island Division of the Queens Borough Public Library, and other historical organizations to learn as much as possible about people from all walks of life who are buried at Maple Grove. We also look forward to offering the research tools and resources needed to help visitors do their own genealogical research.  

Richmond Hill Historical Society  

Trees and Nature

Maple Grove Cemetery is, among other things, an observation point for nature, with an extensive variety of trees and landscaping features.  Our unique and picturesque urban setting is a living palette of nature with a variety of local wildlife, including: squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons, red tail hawks, rabbits, falcons, fish, migrating water fowl, geese, ducks, and turtles.

As a part of our Master Plan for the cemetery grounds, Maple Grove will continue to focus on the trees and landscaping by launching a new planting program. 

Also, in conjunction with local colleges and high schools, we are planning to expand our community education program by including a project to label all tree varieties at Maple Grove . 

Our recent plantings have included: Honey Locusts, Paper Bark Maples and Ash specimens.  In the future, we expect to plant (list the types of trees) and  new clump grasses – these are so beautiful plus they have the added benefit of renewing themselves

Special and Educational Programs

Cemeteries, often visited as parks and historic sites, provide information about our bi-cultural, historic, artistic and architectural heritage.  We at Maple Grove are planning programs that will offer more opportunities to share our resources through study and preservation of our grave-markers and statuary.  Walking tours will be developed and tailored to a variety of interests.  Visitors may also take advantage of a proposed Technology Resource Room to gather additional information about the natural and artistic features at Maple Grove.

Community Expression

Through a unique partnership with Public School 99, the Kew Gardens Arts and Recreation Council, Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning and the Maple Grove Cemetery, we are entering the second year of a three year arts and education project.  In year one, 6^th grade students, working with a visual artist, engaged in the study of gargoyles and grotesques by constructing their own version of “guardians” that are permanently installed in the auditorium of the school.  This year, the project has expanded to include students from all grades and their parents, again working with a visual artist to examine the traditional and contemporary use of mosaics.  In the final year, students, parents and interested community members will create a guardian sculpture as a gift to Maple Grove to be permanently installed in the cemetery.

PS 99: Community Partner

Art and Antiquities

Throughout history, human have sought meaning for the mysteries of life (and death).  All cultures, since the evolution of mankind, have explained their understanding of these mysteries through various artistic works.  These artifacts, treasured and revered, are an expression of the human spirit that cannot be stilled through death and live on in the work left behind.  The generations which have gone before us were filled with cultural diversity and have left us an amazing collection of artworks.  Through these works, their legacy can be better understood and marveled at for they explain their understanding of life and can teach future generations many lessons.

Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art, Inc.

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