FORTY FORT, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— Crews discovered the headstones on Thursday during construction for the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority`s Abrahams Creek restoration project.
WVSA contractor Rutledge Construction uncovered about 35 headstones about 300 feet from the Forty Fort Cemetery.
Officials say that the headstones were washed away from the 1972 Agnes Flood that washed away an entire section of Forty Fort Cemetery.
"WVSA is working closely with Rutledge Construction, Forty Fort Cemetery Association, and Forty Fort Borough to ensure the headstones are returned with the utmost respect to Forty Fort Cemetery," said Jeff Colella, WVSA StormWater Division Manager. "We hope this discovery offers some measure of solace to the families and loved ones affected by the displacements caused by the Agnes Flood."
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Forty Fort Cemetery Association Board President Andy Tuzinski was appreciative of the cooperation between the parties in returning the headstones.
"We are deeply grateful to the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority, Rutledge Construction, and Forty Fort Borough for their efforts in discovering and returning these headstones to Forty Fort Cemetery," stated Tuzinski.
The cemetery association has established goals regarding the finding of these headstones.
Their short-term goal is to create a resting area where the headstones can be temporarily placed to give them an opportunity to research, reach out to the descendants who were unearthed by the 1972 flood, and give them a chance to take the headstones and use them for their own memorial purposes.
The long-term goal is to establish a dedicated area in the cemetery to display the recovered headstones with signage highlighting the impact of the flood and detailing the story of their rediscovery.
The planned project of Abrahams Creek is a mile-long streambank restoration and walking trail initiative, part of WVSA`s Regional Pollutant Reduction Plan designed to enhance water quality and community spaces.
