POTTSTOWN, PA – About 600 perennial bulbs donated by local residents will be planted during the Oct. 18 (2025; Saturday) annual fall cleanup of Edgewood Historic Cemetery, 989 E. High St. It’s scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and area volunteers are invited to lend a hand.
The bulbs will be planted on the bank on Keim Street, between High and Beech streets. Earlier volunteers, during last fall’s cleanup and the 2025 spring community event, prepared the formerly overgrown bank by clearing weeds and debris.
Additionally, three front flowerbeds were recently weeded by students from The Hill School during a Saturday community service day.
The blooming flowers will beautify and stabilize the eastern border of the 12-acre cemetery. It is the resting place for Pottstown dignitaries, war veterans, and historical figures, as well as long-time Borough families.
Other projects during this service day include trimming trees, collecting fallen limbs, and mulching the front flower beds. Eric’s Landscaping, which mows the grounds, is donating the mulch.
Tools, as well as gardening gloves, will be provided. Volunteers who can bring and operate chainsaws, and gardeners who can bring their own hand trowels to help with the bulb-planting, would be appreciated. Paula and Rob Bickleman will rent and operate a chipper.
In case of inclement weather, Oct. 18 (Saturday) has been scheduled as a clean-up rain date.
Got Some Spare Time? Come Help!
Naturally, volunteers aren’t obligated to stay for all four hours. They can attend and leave during the day, according to their availability. A light lunch will be provided for workers, thanks to the repeated generosity of Pottstown’s Little Italy and The Pourhouse, and other local eateries.
More lunch contributions are welcomed; those interested should call 610-705-1017 or send an e-mail to contact@hobartsrunpottstown.org.
The cemetery, which was abandoned in 2012 and had become highly overgrown, “has never looked better,” according to Andrew Monastra, president of its all-volunteer board. Its improvement is “due to these uplifting and highly productive community cleanups, and other volunteer efforts,” he adds.
Monastra also reports individual community members are now occasionally seen “doing something there on their own to help care for the grave sites … It’s very gratifying to know the Pottstown community has rallied around this cause.”
Neither Pottstown Borough, nor any other government entity, pays for maintenance at Edgewood. That means the board seeks to ensure it has roughly $20,000 available to keep its grass mowed each season. Contributions of any amount are accepted online at the cemetery’s “Give Butter” donation acceptance site, or by mail at Edgewood Historic Cemetery, c/o 740 E. High St., Pottstown PA 19464.
Also, organizations may be interested in conducting a fund-raiser for its mowing or tombstone-resetting funds. They are encouraged to contact the Cemetery Friends group by calling 484-459-5412 or sending an e-mail to PottstownEdgewoodCemetery@gmail.com
Spring Date Set for ‘Walk to Remember’
The cemetery’s fifth “Walk to Remember” living history tour, originally planned for Oct. 25, must be postponed to May 16 (2026; Saturday). The well-attended fund-raising events feature costumed re-enactors and interpreters, who shed light on fascinating and storied residents.
The May tour will have a “circus twist,” that spotlights notable Depression Era-connections between Edgewood Cemetery and the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus. One story will share a glimpse into the life of a professional animal trainer buried at Edgewood, and other fascinating personalities too.
Individuals who would like to assist with the May walk should contact Kelly Fenstermacher at kelly@historicedgewood.com. Ticket information will be made available as soon as details are finalized.
Photo and graphic provided to Travels With The Post by Edgewood Cemetery
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