Project Reprieve

Our Story

Life Lesson.

About Us

"We are a small eager group of Arkansans who want to save history including older "forgotten" cemeteries. Our work is free. We operate in Pope, Yell, and Logan County at present. We are looking for others interested in bring cemeteries back from "forgottenville." You may contact us from our contact page and become part of Project Reprieve. Our name says it all, Project Bring Back!

Eventually, some graveyards become forgotten and being unused and unkept.  Now, Yell, Pope, Logan has a group prepared to take care of abandoned cemeteries. As the name implies, our project is to bring back the forgotten cemeteries and return them as clean distinguished cemeteries.  If you know of graves in fields, forest, towns, or anywhere that are growing up and need some TLC, then contact us.

There is no charge to the owner of the cemetery.  All we need is permission to repair or replace fences, gates, and take care of it.  Our 2025 project is a cemetery on Forest Service land known as Stafford Cemetery for the former town Stafford located on Chickalah Mountain near Spring Lake in Yell County.  This site has been abandoned for about eighty-five years; it appears the last grave placed there was in 1940s. 

If you would like to participate, these are the ways available:

1.    Volunteer worker

2.    Financial supporter

3.    Promoter and location securer. 

We need your support. If you would like to contribute to the reprieve of old grave sites, go to our Donate page.



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Discover Us!

2025 Project is Stafford Cemetery.

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Spring Lake & Stafford

Stafford Cemetery in 1979

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National Forest

Working with Forest Service.

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Work next year 2026

Stone to be straighten.



What the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program says

Historic cemeteries are irreplaceable landscapes. Many of the historic cemeteries in our state have been neglected for decades.

"Historic cemeteries are important for reasons you may not have considered. They are outdoor museums filled with amazing art and architecture. Cemeteries provide wildlife refuges and are often home to unique plants. And these sanctuaries nestled within urban environments are also places to research, contemplate or remember the past. Historic cemeteries are beautiful parks ideal for picnicking or strolling just as the original community would have done when the site was built. We encourage you to stop by a historic cemetery near you and spend some time taking in the beauty of an oasis within your city."

"For every known rural burial ground, there are at least five that have been forgotten from our collective consciousness. Threats to historic cemeteries include:  

  • Abandonment
    • Neglect 
    • Encroachment 
    • Environmental factors 
    • Vandalism 
    • Theft 
    • Decline in community activities (such as Decoration Day) 
    • The increased role of funeral and cemetery professionals and the declining role of the family’s hands-on care 
    • Improper use of landscaping elements such as machinery and insecticides
    • Socioeconomic factors (such as population movement)
    • Pollution"

    If you have the desire to participate in the Project Reprieve to save cemeteries, please contact us: ralph@nsideu.com.

    Meet The Team

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    Ralph

    Founder

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    Natalie

    Treasurer

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    Tonya

    Worker Procurement

    CONTACT US TO GET INVOLVED.

    Let’s chat! If you are looking to volunteer, donate, or question fill out the form or call.

    Phone 479.970.1001

    Email Address ralph@nsideu.com