The Oregon Pioneer Cemeteries Conservancy is a privately funded preservation initiative dedicated to the identification, documentation, and protection of historic pioneer cemeteries throughout the state of Oregon.

Across rural landscapes, farmland, and forested areas, many of Oregon’s earliest burial grounds remain largely undocumented and at risk of being lost to time. These cemeteries represent the lives, families, and communities that shaped the foundation of the state.

The Conservancy exists to ensure that these sites—and the history they hold—are preserved with dignity and respect for future generations.

The Conservancy focuses on four core areas:

• Documentation
  Locating, mapping, and recording historic cemetery sites, including burial markers, inscriptions, and site conditions.

• Protection
  Working in cooperation with private landowners and caretakers to establish long-term preservation measures, including boundary identification and protective agreements.

• Preservation
  Supporting maintenance, restoration, and safe access to cemetery sites, including vegetation management and stabilization of headstones.

• Awareness
  Promoting public understanding of Oregon’s pioneer cemeteries and the importance of preserving these historic burial grounds.

Many pioneer cemeteries in Oregon are located on private land, often within working farms or timber properties. The Conservancy does not assume ownership or control of these sites, but instead works collaboratively with landowners, caretakers, and the community to support responsible preservation.

This cooperative approach allows for long-term protection while respecting private property rights and existing land use.

Current preservation efforts include active documentation and restoration support for historic cemeteries in Lane County, including:

• Jones Pioneer Cemetery (Cheshire, Oregon)

• Kime-Brown Cemetery (Cheshire, Oregon)

• Franklin Cemetery (Franklin, Oregon)

These sites represent just the beginning of a broader effort to identify and protect pioneer cemeteries across Oregon.

The Oregon Pioneer Cemeteries Conservancy is committed to expanding its work across the state—documenting additional sites, strengthening preservation efforts, and ensuring that Oregon’s pioneer cemeteries are not forgotten.

The Oregon Pioneer Cemeteries Conservancy is a privately funded preservation initiative and is not a registered nonprofit organization. The Conservancy operates through research, collaboration, and voluntary preservation efforts.