Plight of the plots - Local cemetery seeks security to protect history.

By Jillian Smith
Staff Writer

DAYTONA BEACH – When the International Association of Cemetery Preservationists was formed, founder Dusty Smith planned to restore and preserve the Mount Arrarat Cemetery in Daytona Beach. Despite the efforts that she and other members of the IACP have made, though, a lack of security on the property has allowed vandals, transients and thieves to continue inflicting damage.

Mount Arrarat is a historically black cemetery, built in 1889. The 6-acre property is now the final resting place of more than 600 people, including hundreds of veterans from as far back as the Civil War.

The IACP has worked for two years to restore and maintain the property. Members of the non-profit organization believe the cemetery should be restored, preserved and appreciated because of its historical value.

“These are the people that built this city, and now no one seems to care what happens to them,” Ms. Smith said. “They obviously can’t complain for themselves, so we are trying to give them a voice in the community.”

While the IACP volunteers work on the restoration project, man-made destruction continues in the cemetery.

Ms. Smith said she has seen the cemetery used as a place for deviants to use drugs and have sex.

“We’ve caught people smoking crack in there, and sometimes we find condoms and underwear just lying around on the ground,” she said.

Thieves and vandals have also terrorized the cemetery.

“People break and steal headstones and break into the vaults. They have stolen personal effects from graves and even removed bodies,” Ms. Smith said.

To protect the cemetery and deter further destruction, funds are needed to add security on the property.

“Even if we could just get some lights put up, that would help,” Ms. Smith said. “FPL has offered to donate the lights and poles, but we would need help from the city to install them.”

Because Mount Arrarat is a privately owned property, maintenance and upkeep fall to the families of those buried there and the stockholders of the property.

Though he had never heard of Ms. Smith or the IACP, Daytona Beach City Manager James Chisholm said the city is not permitted to work on private properties.

“I know of Mount Arrarat, but no one has approached me with any questions or proposals,” Mr. Chisholm said. “If that cemetery is privately owned, though, there’s really nothing we can do. The responsibility falls to the owners.”

Twelve stockholders purchased the land located on Bellevue Avenue and Clyde Morris Boulevard and opened the cemetery more than a century ago. Over the years, ownership has been handed down to relatives of the original stockholders.

Today, only the Rev. Gussy Sampson and Astrid Mack remain.

Ms. Smith said Mr. Mack resides in Miami, and Ms. Sampson is nearly 90 years old.

“Gussy does all she can, but neither of them are really able to give the cemetery the amount of care it needs and deserves. Our volunteers do all they can can, but it doesn’t seem like enough,” Ms. Smith said. “This cemetery is part of our local history, and we are going to lose it completely if something’s not done soon.”

For more information on the International Association of Cemetery Preservationists, contact Dusty Smith at (386) 253-6034 or visit www.dbprginc.org.