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Parks and Cemetery Board approves DAR-funded granite bench at Norton Center Cemetery
Summary
The Norton Parks and Cemetery Board on Feb. 20 approved a resolution allowing the Cuyahoga-Portage and Norton branches of the Daughters of the American Revolution to install a granite bench engraved with Revolutionary War soldiers’ names at Norton Center Cemetery; installation is scheduled for October 2026.
On Feb. 20, 2025, the Norton Parks and Cemetery Board voted to approve a resolution permitting the Cuyahoga-Portage branch and the Norton branch of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to install a permanent granite bench engraved with the names of Revolutionary War soldiers at Norton Center Cemetery behind Acme.
Board member Ruth proposed the resolution and described the local DAR branch’s plan to fund the bench and provide names to be engraved. “I would like to make a parks and cemetery board resolution that would give permission to the Cuyahoga Portage branch and the Norton branch of the Daughters of the American Revolution to install a permanent granite bench with American revolutionary soldiers' names engraved on the bench in the Norton Center Cemetery,” Ruth said during the meeting.
The bench is to be paid for by the two DAR branches and is scheduled for installation in October 2026 to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The board approved the resolution by roll call; the vote recorded Miss Witzberger, Mister Fritz, Miss Gibson, Miss Dimach and Mister Witwer as voting in favor.
The board discussed locating and designing the bench; Ruth said DAR member Stephanie Birrow has worked with Summit Memorial and Ken Noon on design details similar to benches planned for the Norton Veterans Memorial. Board members referenced local burial records and resources such as findagrave.com to identify Revolutionary War veterans believed to be interred in local cemeteries.
The board’s approval grants permission for installation but does not record final design approvals, permitting steps or an exact installation date beyond the October 2026 timeframe. Board members said they expect a ceremonial event when the bench is installed.
Votes at a glance: - Resolution permitting DAR bench installation (approved): roll-call recorded as yes by Miss Witzberger, Mister Fritz, Miss Gibson, Miss Dimach and Mister Witwer. The resolution directs staff to sign and record the board’s permission. - Minutes, Jan. 15, 2025 (approved): motion passed by voice vote. - Motion to adjourn (approved): passed by voice vote.
The board did not identify any outstanding permits or external approvals required at the meeting; staff indicated they would coordinate with cemetery volunteers and with Summit Memorial on placement and fabrication details.
