New Equipment Funding Request: Stone-Lifting Tripod
The Angels of Snow Hill Cemetery Preservation Project is seeking support to purchase a stone-lifting tripod, a specialized tool required to safely reset and stabilize historic headstones throughout the Snow Hill Church Cemetery.
Over time, soil erosion, age, and weather exposure have caused many headstones to shift or sink. Without proper equipment, volunteers cannot safely reset these markers without risk of injury or damage to irreplaceable stones. The tripod allows controlled, preservation-approved lifting of stones weighing 200–1,000 pounds.
$50–$100 — supports accessories and safety supplies
$250–$500 — helps offset shipping and setup
$750+ — contributes directly toward the tripod purchase
Due date: To ensure the equipment can be purchased and deployed in time for upcoming preservation work, donations toward this request are requested by January 31, 2026.
President Michael L. Woods Attends Cemetery Preservation Workshop
President Michael L. Woods of Angels of Snow Hill Cemetery traveled to Knoxville, Tennessee for a two-day
cemetery preservation workshop sponsored by the Tennessee Historical Commission and held at Odd Fellows Cemetery.
The workshop was led by nationally recognized preservationist Jonathan Appell of Atlas Preservation.
Training covered proper marker cleaning, restoration techniques, and monument stabilization, including the safe
resetting of large monuments. A key message of the workshop was that preservation work can be responsibly carried
out by community members when the correct methods and safety practices are followed.
“Your willingness to drive from Maryland and your volunteering as needed throughout the workshop speaks well about your character.
I am glad to know you had a positive experience…”
— George Kemp, President, Knoxville Re-Animation Coalition, Inc.
Calvin F. Johnson family plot- Odd Fellows Cemetery (Knoxville, TN)Tablet headstone marker- Odd Fellows Cemetery (Knoxville, TN)President Michael Woods resetting a monument with a 9′ tripodPresident Michael Woods using a tripod to reset a 600lb monument 48 State Tour VehicleMonument reset complete- Odd Fellows Cemetery (Knoxville, TN)Jonathan Appell inspecting an unsafe, cracked monumentBroken monument after assessment- Odd Fellows Cemetery (Knoxville, TN)Workshop participants digging out a monument base (President Woods pictured)Workshop participants digging out a monument base (another angle)
Church
Reconstitution of Snow Hill Church
Members and descendants gathered at Snow Hill Church to vote and celebrate the
official reconstitution of the historic church under the leadership
of President Mike Woods and a reestablished Board of Trustees, reconnecting the
church and the cemetery under a shared mission.
