The marker establishing recognition of Worthington Cemetery was dedicated on May 10, 2026. Present that day were volunteers from the project, local historians, a representative of Ayersville Water & Sewer District, members of the Friends of Worthington Cemetery, a representative of the Ohio History Connection, library staff, representatives of Defiance College and most importantly, living descendants of Archibald Worthington. Several speakers who played various roles in the project shared their experiences.
As I watched the cars lining up along Bowman Road and people begin stepping out, I remembered back to the first visit to the field. The rise of the field where the cemetery is located could be seen with the marker in the foreground. The goal had been met in the placement of a marker. All the words on the marker were carefully chosen to give as much information and detail as possible about the 5 years of research that went into the project.
I knew the project went beyond the marker, and I put that into words when I had the chance to speak. A community had grown out of the shared project. Local volunteers who helped with the physical surveys of the field are invested. Those who researched through Ancestry.com and oversized ledgers in the storage area of the Highland Township Fire Department know about Archibald and the community that he lived in and continue to share that knowledge with anyone who might be curious about Worthington Cemetery. A Defiance College student is creating a documentary on the Worthington Project because it was a focus of a research student in the McMaster School for Advancing Humanity. The community that has evolved feels like an extension of Archibald’s commitment to his community in the formation of a cemetery.
The Friends of Worthington Cemetery are planning what the cemetery location will look like and how people can visit it. The living descendants have visions as well of what they want to see there. Will it be a peaceful place with grass, simple indigenous flowers and plants, a more formal looking cemetery with fencing and benches, or some combination of the two? It all will be determined by FOWC and the family. How can you help? Joining FOWC is free and they can use all of the inspiration and volunteering that you can offer. They know that it will take time, effort, and working together to make what is now a field, a place of honor and remembrance. For more information contact FOWC President Jay Budde at [email protected].