History of the Lewisburg Cemetery Office

The small, recently preserved, former cemetery office is believed to have been part of the sexton's house that was not in condition to be moved when the house was moved across the street and became part of Bucknell University property.

The cemetery board approved laying out lots and building a house for the sexton on May 14, 1848. They had hired George Roland for $96.00 a year as their first sexton. In December they authorized the building committee to proceed with plans for a house for the sexton and it was completed October 13, the following year as was the front fence. Henry Noll was authorized to purchase shrubbery for the site and he went to Philadelphia to obtain the best. It was noted that vandals dug up the plantings and Mr. Noll asked to offer a reward for their return. There is no account of what actions [were] taken on this matter.

What causes some confusion as to whether the office had been part of the sexton's house or not is that in 1900 the Board authorized $200 for the building of a "Lodge House" for meetings. As to whether the $200 was spent to repair the building or build a new one it [sic] is unclear.

Studies of a picture of the sexton's house and local folk stories lead [sic] you to believe that the small attached building to the far right could to [sic] current recently preserved building. Local resident David Arndt remembers the office and was always lead to believe that is was part of the sexton's home that was not in condition to be moved. More research is needed to determine whether the $200 was spent for a new building or to renovate the building and make it useable as an office.