Update: March 2024 We now have a GoFundMe Donation Page! Click HERE to donate. Help us meet our final goal!
The Old Salem Community Church is the final resting place for our FIRST American heroes, thirty Revolutionary War veterans. Most all of the original grave markers have decayed to a point where they are no longer readable.
In 2017 we began in earnest the process of fundraising and grave marker replacements. It was decided to leave the original stones as they are and to add longer lasting granite markers to ensure these veterans are not forgotten. Fifteen of the thirty decaying Revolutionary War Veterans grave memorials have been replaced thus far, but we still have a long way to go.
WE ARE HALFWAY THERE!!!
We always see bumper stickers, signs, and social media posts spouting “Support our Veterans”… This is the opportunity to put your words into action! Our FIRST veterans gave us all a gift that none of us can replace, freedom. Don’t we all owe them our gratitude? Shouldn’t we do what we can to ensure that they are NEVER forgotten?
Help us preserve their honor by making a donation. No matter the amount, every bit helps! Each step down the road brings us closer to our destination. The total cost of permanently marking each of the thirty Revolutionary War veterans final resting places at the Old Salem Community Church Cemetery will end up being in excess of $25,000.00 and we are halfway toward meeting that goal! We can’t stop now! Join us by making a donation or watching for our “Activity Day” announcements on our Facebook page and lend a hand. Our ancestors were there for us, now it’s our turn to be there for them.
Individuals and groups are welcome to join in this worthy effort to preserve the past for the future. If we don't, who else will? If you would like to support this tax deducible cause to preserve our history, contributions can be made to the: Derry Area Historical Society Adopt a Revolutionary Hero Project P.O. Box 64 New Derry, PA 15671
Have a question? Drop us a line at: derryareahistoricalsociety@gmail.com
Old Salem "Adopt a Revolutionary Hero" Activity Day Saturday November 10th 2018
The Derry Area Historical Society, the Old Salem Community Church Boards members, Greater Latrobe Junior High School 8th grade Civics students, and volunteer community members, joined forces for an “Adopt a Revolutionary Hero” Activity Day at the Old Salem Community Church.
They worked together to install six more permanent granite grave markers to ensure that our first American heroes will not be forgotten. The granite grave markers were purchased at a cost of $800.00 each with funds raised through the D.A.H.S. “Adopt a Revolutionary Hero” Project which started in 2017. The Old Salem Community Church is one of the first congregations formed west of the Allegheny Mountains early in our nation’s history and whose cemetery contains the remains of 30 Revolutionary War veterans.
To date, nine permanent granite grave markers have been installed.
To complete our mission of historic preservation more donations are needed!
If you would like to support this tax deducible cause to preserve our history, contributions can be made to the: Derry Area Historical Society Adopt a Revolutionary Hero Project P.O. Box 64 New Derry, PA 15671
Have a question? Drop us a line at: derryareahistoricalsociety@gmail.com
Old Salem "Adopt a Revolutionary Hero" Activity Day August 19th 2017
Was a huge success! Many community members joined us in an activity day where we straightened grave markers, tried our hands at some puzzle solving by screening soil around tombstones whose face has fallen off to determine what some of the stones original carvings were, and general clean up associated with saving Old Salem for future generations.
VETERANS COMMEMORATION EVENT SUNDAY MAY 27TH 2018 AT 1:00PM 'click' the "Events" tab above for more information
The Derry Area Historical Society has joined forces with the historic Old Salem Church in an effort to preserve, restore, and renew the memorials of our ancestors who built this great nation.
The cemetery at Old Salem is one of the earliest in Southwestern Pennsylvania and contains the earthly remains for our region’s Founding Fathers, thirty of whom served in the American Revolution. Their combined sacrifices bestowed the blessings of liberty upon us all. We owe it to their memory to honor our first citizens for future generations yet unborn.
Almost all of the 30 Revolutionary War Veterans stones at historic Old Salem are in dire need of repair, restoration, & replacement. Show YOUR support for our nation’s first veterans and lend a hand by Adopting a Revolutionary Hero!
Whether you are part of a school group, church group, athletic club, or just someone concerned about the preservation of our heritage for future generations, you CAN make a difference!
Contact us and find out how you can help preserve the past for the future!
Sign up to learn more and to keep informed of upcoming preservation news! (*Rest assured. The D.A.H.S. NEVER shares its members and friends information with ANYONE)
Want to pitch in to lend a hand, or find out another way to help?