Union and West End Cemetery

The Old Allentown Preservation Association (OAPA), in an effort to enhance the beauty of the Union and West End Cemetery, obtained a grant from the City of Allentown for the purpose of planting roses inside the fence line along Chew Street. The project called for the planting of 142 rose bushes, 138 roses were planted every 9 feet along the Chew Street fence. The remaining 4 rose bushes were planted in a bed next to the Civil War Naval cannons in the Grand Army of the Republic section (under the flag) of the cemetery along 12th Street.

Volunteers from OAPA and the Cemetery Association, along with able-bodied help provided by volunteers from the Allentown Community Correction Center and the Keenan House worked hard and diligently over a number of weekends to create a rose bed the entire length of the Chew Street fence. Earth was turned, holes to receive the roses were dug, mulch (provided by the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Allentown), was spread in preparation for the planting of roses.

On June 1st, with the rose bush bed ready, the volunteers gathered and planted all 142 rose bushes in a single morning session. The resultant rose bed is stunningly gorgeous; beautifying the walk along Chew Street from 10th to 12th Streets. The small garden at the cannons (GAR Section) also reflects the glory of the beautification project.

The following photos show the results of the activity in the cemetery from inception to the final planting of the roses :

View additional photos showing volunteers at work planting roses;  Morning Call photographs ( HARRY FISHER / THE MORNING CALL / June 1, 2014 )