Volunteers Clean Up Hinkson Cemetery at Alspaugh Park, May 2nd

We want to thank the volunteers who participated in the Historic Cemetery Cleanup at the Hinkson Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in John Alspaugh Park on May 2, 2026. Our volunteers removed invasive honeysuckle and found more cemetery stones, including the original headstone for John G. Keene, who was born in 1793 and died on October 8, 1869, aged 76. Another piece of great news is that not a single volunteer came home with a tick!

We also want to express our gratitude to the City of Columbia’s Department of Parks & Recreation for providing a porta-john with a hand cleaning station and to the Missouri Conservation Corps for working to clean up the old pecan grove in the park on that same date. 

Photos courtesy of: (1, 2) Elena Vega, (3) Bruce Alspaugh.

Don’t forget about CoMo Preservation’s next historic cemetery cleanup event on June 6, 2026. For the next cemetery cleanup on June 6 we plan to work at the Antioch Church Cemetery also found in the John Alspaugh Park on the north side of Mexico Gravel Road because by that time we are more likely to run into ticks and mosquitos in the Hinkson Creek Cemetery. 

We will be using the D2 product recommended by our speakers Allyson Ingli and April Scott during their presentation on April 30, 2026, to avoid causing damage as we clean. If you missed that event you can find their presentation on our archives and read about the Do’s & Don’ts of Cemetery Cleanup at https://www.comopreservation.org/monthly-meeting-archives-2026.

Columbia’s Parks & Rec has again generously agreed to provide a porta-john with a hand cleaning station. In addition, they are supplying us with the Nitrile gloves recommended for working to clean cemetery stones and with trash bags for any trash found in the park or in the cemetery. CoMo Preservation will provide the D2 product for cleaning and some water and snacks for all volunteers. 

Don’t forget to sign up so we know you are coming to help on June 6, 2026, at the following link: https://www.comopreservation.org/events/6-6-26. You can help for the whole morning or just part of the morning. Please park in the parking lot on the south side of Mexico Gravel Road and meet up to cross together and walk up to the Antioch Cemetery.

CoMo Preservation is devoted to helping homeowners, landlords, and institutions prevent the destruction of historic architecture. Original period styles might be replicated, but will forever lack the social history of authentic structures. The preservation of historic places and spaces gives people a sense of place and boosts Columbia’s economy. You can get involved by becoming a member, volunteering, signing up for our newsletterattending an event, ordonating.

Questions? Suggestions for speakers or events? Email CoMoPreservation@gmail.com