Our Impact
Preserving History. Honoring Legacy. Inspiring the Future.
Impact at a Glance
- $81,000+ Funding Secured
- $1.5M+ Community Investment
- 350+ Burials Located
- 1884 Historic Cemetery
- Hundreds of Volunteer & Thousands of Hours
- Dozens of Community Partners
Timeline
2023
- FCMGC Organization founded
- FCMGC Board established
- Hosted Community Visioning Workshops
- Volunteer Cemetery Community Cleanups begin
2024
- Annual Citrus County MLK Leadership Gala launched
- Boundary and Topographic Survey Secured
- Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN) class completed
- Sunken Gravesites Discovered
- Flooding Issues Identified
2025
- Completed small scale Ground Penetrating Study (GPR) survey with Gulf Archaeological Research (GARI)
- Florida State Appropriation ($81,000) Designated
- Identified existing well on Cemetery Property
- Presented Inaugural Community Outreach Events (Cookies & Painting for Kids)
2026
- Presented FCMGC's preservation initiative at the National Black Cemetery Conference (St. Pete, FL)
- Hundreds of burials identified by GPR
- Tree Maintenance Scheduled
- Headstone and Monument Assessment Completed
- Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Study
- FPAN Partnership for Headstone & Monument Restoration
- Well Head (Water Pump) Installation Planned
- Florida Historical Marker in Development
- Cemetery Directional
Key Outcomes Since 2023
Historic Firsts
Leadership & Collaboration
Historic Preservation
- First comprehensive archaeological investigation of the cemetery.
- First Ground Penetrating Radar survey conducted.
- First Boundary and Topographical survey completed.
- First state-funded preservation initiative.
- First documented headstone & monument conservation program.
- First organized Memorial Day Veterans Ceremony.
Historic Preservation
Leadership & Collaboration
Historic Preservation
- Documented and substantiated the historic significance of Crystal Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
- Conducted multiple cemetery clean-up and restoration days utilizing community volunteers.
- Removed years of overgrowth, debris, and invasive vegetation.
- Documented existing monuments and cemetery conditions.
- Conducted three rounds of headstone cleanings with approved D/2 Biological Solutions
Leadership & Collaboration
Leadership & Collaboration
- Brought together archaeologists, engineers, preservation specialists, veterans' organizations, elected officials, historians, churches, funeral professionals, and community volunteers around a shared mission.
- Built a collaborative preservation model that is strengthening historic preservation efforts throughout Citrus County.
Archaeological Discovery & Research
- Conducted the most comprehensive archaeological investigations ever completed at the cemetery.
- Established a preservation & archaeology partnership with Gulf Archaeology Research Institute (GARI).
- Retained nationally recognized Ground Penetrating Radar specialist Mike Wood, a NASA contractor, in partnership with GARI.
- Currently completing an extensive Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey.
- Expanded archaeological survey into the cemetery's oldest section.
- Identified hundreds of previously unknown and unmarked burials.
- Improved understanding of the cemetery's historical boundaries and burial patterns.
- Documented evidence supporting future preservation planning.
Preservation Partnerships
- Established a preservation partnership with the Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN).
- Completed several professional cemetery monument assessments.
- Secured ongoing monument conservation assistance at no additional cost.
- Arranged volunteer training in proper cemetery preservation techniques.
- Partnered with Citrus County Sheriff’s Office and Crystal River Fire Department to supply water for headstone cleaning efforts.
- Partnered with Crystal River High School, Crystal River Fire Department, City of Crystal River, Beverly Hills VFW Post 10087, American Legion Post 155, Boy Scout Troop # 457, and Seven Rivers Church for volunteers.
Cemetery Protection
- Funded the first ever boundary and topographical survey of the Historic Cemetery.
- Coordinated law enforcement and archaeological response following the inadvertent discovery of historic human remains.
- Ensured respectful handling and protection of all archaeological resources.
- Implemented documentation procedures for sensitive discoveries.
- Addressed incidents of vandalism and unauthorized disturbance of archaeological markers.
Community Engagement
Website & Communications
Community Engagement
- Organized numerous volunteer workdays and expanded volunteer participation.
- Launched the Citrus County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Gala as a fundraiser to support the preservation and restoration efforts at the Historic Cemetery.
- Increased community awareness of local African American history.
- Built relationships with veterans’ organizations, churches, civic groups, and historical organizations.
- Established educational opportunities for residents and students.
Public Education
Website & Communications
Community Engagement
- Launched educational initiatives highlighting African American history in Citrus County.
- Developed historical presentations and community outreach programs.
- Increased public awareness through social media and public communications.
- Published the Heritage Brief newsletter.
- Expanded the organization's digital presence.
Website & Communications
Website & Communications
Website & Communications
- Developed and launched the FCMGC website.
- Created online volunteer registration.
- Published project updates and preservation reports.
- Documented restoration progress through photography and storytelling.
- Established consistent organizational branding.
Recognition
Website & Communications
- Featured at the National Black Cemetery Network Conference
- Invited to present preservation work
- Established partnerships with state archaeological experts
- Recognized by preservation professionals across Florida
- Developed collaborative relationships with preservation agencies.
- Positioned Crystal Memorial Gardens Cemetery as an important historic resource within Citrus County and the State of Florida.
Financial Stewardship
- Maintained responsible financial oversight.
- Leveraged volunteer labor and professional partnerships to maximize every donated and grant-funded dollar.
- Increased the value of preservation services through in-kind professional contributions.
- Benefited from significant pro bono executive leadership, strategic planning, communications, and organizational development services provided through Andrea K & Co., enabling FCMGC to accelerate its preservation initiatives while maximizing every public and private dollar invested.
Leveraging Resources
- Secured State funding
- Generated significant in-kind professional services
- Leveraged volunteer labor
- Reduced restoration costs through strategic partnerships
- Maximized public investment through collaborative preservation efforts
- Leveraged significant pro bono executive and strategic consulting services provided by Andrea K & Co., including CEO leadership, strategic planning, marketing and communications, website development, stakeholder engagement, and community outreach.
Community Partnerships
Strategic Partners
- American Legion Post 155
- Andrea K & Co
- Beverly Hills VFW Post 10087
- Black Cemetery Network (BCN)
- Boy Scout Troop 457
- Bunch Lawn Care & Tree Service
- Citrus County Historical Resources
- Citrus County Sheriff's Office
- City of Crystal River
- Crystal Memorial Gardens Cemetery Board of Directors
- Crystal River Fire Department
- Crystal River High School
- Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources
- Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN)
- Gulf Archaeology Research Institute (GARI)
- Seven Rivers Church
- United Way of Citrus County
Sponsors & Community Supporters
- Adera and Adera
- Afro American Club of Citrus County
- AJ’s Cafe
- Andrea K and Co
- Anonymous
- Armond Blackwater
- Artistic LunaSea
- Ayinde Matthews State Farm Ins & Fin Services
- Bralonni's Bed and Breakfast
- Bunch Lawn Care & Tree Service
- Cattle Dog Coffee Roasters
- Cavallo Estate Winery
- Citrus County Chamber of Commerce
- Citrus County Chronicle
- City of Crystal River
- CL22 Productions
- Connectively Yours by Nicole Durante
- Dix Developments
- Dr. Christopher Keen & Family
- Dr. Dacelin St. Martin
- Dr. Hersell Lindo
- Duke Energy
- Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp - Nathan Paff
- Flying High in Florida
- Grant Law Partners
- Greg Sawyer
- Hernando VFW Post 4252
- Hometown Citrus
- Jeffrey B. Campbell State Farm Insurance
- Jennifer and JJ Grow
- Kings Bay Rotary
- Meadowcrest Family Physicians
- Mike Bays State Farm
- MWC Dumpster Rentals & Land Clearing
- Nick Nicholas Ford
- PedIm Healthcare
- Ralph Massullo Campaign
- Robert and Claudia Brockett
- Seafood Seller Cafe
- Senator Blaise Ingoglia
- Seven Rivers Church
- Suncoast Title Partners LLC
- Technology Conservation Group (TCG)
- Tropical Windows Inc
- Village Toyota Cadillac
- WGHR/WXDE/WXCV/W
Acknowledgments & Strategic Partners
Friends of Crystal Memorial Gardens Cemetery gratefully acknowledges the organizations, agencies, businesses, and individuals whose collaboration, expertise, and generosity have helped advance the preservation of this historic cemetery.
Looking Forward
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Building the Future
In just over three years, Friends of Crystal Memorial Gardens Cemetery has laid the foundation for the long-term preservation of one of Florida's most significant African American historic cemeteries. Through leadership, collaboration, stewardship, and an unwavering commitment to honoring those who came before us, FCMGC is ensuring that this sacred place—and the stories it holds—will endure for generations to come.
Current priorities include:
• Completing archaeological documentation.
• Preserving historic monuments and crypts.
• Improving cemetery drainage and flood mitigation.
• Expanding historical research.
• Enhancing visitor accessibility.
• Strengthening long-term financial sustainability.
• Preserving the stories and legacy of those buried at Crystal Memorial Gardens Cemetery for future generations.
Why This Matters
Historic cemeteries are among a community's most important cultural resources. They preserve the stories of those whose lives shaped our neighborhoods, churches, schools, businesses, and civic institutions.
By protecting Historic Crystal Memorial Gardens Cemetery today, Friends of Crystal Memorial Gardens Cemetery is ensuring that future generations inherit not only a restored landscape, but a deeper understanding of the people and history that helped define Citrus County.