Press Release: The City of Rome announces the Myrtle Hill-Oak Hill Memorial Association will lead fundraising efforts to restore the sentinel monument atop Historic Myrtle Hill Cemetery; which has stood as the centerpiece of the cemetery since 1887.

Myrtle Hill-Oak Hill Memorial Association is spearheading the fundraising efforts with a $2,500 pledge. The goal is to raise the amount of funds needed to restore the monument or replace the monument if necessary.

Sammy Rich, Rome City Manager, praises community support. “We are pleased the Myrtle Hill-Oak Hill Memorial Association is leading the effort to protect and preserve this historic monument in one of the city’s most visited tourist destinations. It’s unfortunate that an act of vandalism created this situation for us to deal with, but the Rome community is fortunate to have good Samaritans like the Myrtle Hill-Oak Hill Memorial Association step up to help us repair the monument.”

Lisa Smith, Executive Director for the Georgia’s Rome Office of Tourism said, “It is important to have places of historical significance; it not only helps us share our story, but we can learn and grow from it as well.”

All who are interested in the preservation efforts are encouraged to donate. There are two ways to give: A GoFundMe account has been created to enable donors to easily give online at GoFundMe.com/sentinel-of-myrtle-hill-cemetery. In-person donations can be made at the Rome-Floyd Visitor Center located at 402 Civic Center Drive across from Applebee’s. Make checks payable to Myrtle Hill-Oak Hill Memorial Association or MHOHMA.

Myrtle Hill-Oak Hill Memorial Association is a subsidiary of The Rome Area Heritage Foundation, dedicated to improving and maintaining the historic Myrtle Hill Cemetery. The Rome Area Heritage Foundation was established in 1973 to help identify and preserve historic sites and artifacts in the Rome-Floyd County area. The volunteer-based non-profit organization remains closely affiliated with governmental agencies and other non-profit groups involved with the planning, implementation and preservation of local heritage and resources.

For more information about the fundraising campaign please visit RomeGeorgia.org/Monument or call 706.295.5576