Every time we near the end of another fiscal year (March 31st), it is a chance for us to reflect on what we have achieved in the past twelve months and get excited for the new projects we have in store for the future. This winter, amid what has become the all-too-frequent process of clearing away our growing piles of snow, it helps to remind ourselves about not only the warmer months that we have enjoyed here at Mount Auburn Cemetery, but the reasons why it is such a high priority for us to keep our gates open to the public every day possible. Most important are the many ways we serve the community as a cemetery, outdoor museum, arboretum, and wildlife refuge, available free of charge and committed to environmentally-sustainable work that will allow us to remain a space of beauty, calm, and reflection long into the future.

None of this work would be possible without the generosity of our supporters, whose gifts to the Annual Fund allow us to operate at the highest standard. The Annual Fund covers the myriad details – large and small, public and behind-the-scenes – that are all essential for making Mount Auburn such an inspirational experience for everyone. In the past year alone, Annual Fund donations have enabled Mount Auburn’s staff to do a variety of work that would not have been possible otherwise, including:

Our preservation team was able to hire a seasonal mason to assist with a number of important monument conservation projects during the summer and fall of 2014, including preservation and stabilization work on the Binney Monument; the Bancroft, Boot, and Cushing Side Hill Tombs; Bigelow Chapel; and a selection of Civil War monuments.

Having the extra staff help enabled us to complete all of these projects more efficiently, which in turn gave us the time to accomplish more over the entire season.

Our horticulture department got a new “gator” vehicle, an essential tool for transporting plants and compost from the greenhouse and all around our 175-acre site, keeping the landscape beautiful.

We were able to offer a wide range of public programs reflecting the diverse interests of our friends and visitors. Highlights included the third annual production of “A Glimpse Beyond” (featuring a cast of 200 dancers, musicians, and artists); co-sponsorship of lectures on landscape design and history; monthly meetings of Book Club; wreath-making at our greenhouse; and a variety of walks and talks focused on notable figures, horticulture, wildlife, and the Civil War.

Please consider making a gift to the Friends of Mount Auburn’s Annual Fund today, before our fiscal year ends. With your help, we can enjoy another successful year of preserving our beautiful landscape and monuments, promoting our history, and protecting local biodiversity for generations to come.

You can visit http://mountauburn.org/give/ to make your tax-deductible donation online, or mail a check to the Friends of Mount Auburn at 580 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA 02138. Thank you for your support!