Solving monumental problems- Franklin-Simpson Tourism restoring cemetery

FRANKLIN, Ky.-Franklin-Simpson Tourism is solving ‘monumental problems’.

“It’s an essential part of this whole site, which is essentially built around the Sandford Duncan Inn,” said innkeeper Nicky Hughes. 

The group is repairing and restoring a historical cemetery at the Sandford Duncan Inn. 

The inn was a roadside tavern that started in the 1820s before the Civil War. 

“Back then the Louisville Nashville turnpike now 31-W was one of the most busiest and important roads in the country so it was great to put an inn,” said Hughes. 

The inn now functions as a hotspot for tourists. 

“The funny thing is nearly everyone who takes the tour asks me if I can go to the cemetery,” said Hughes. 

But, the cemetery had become run down over time. 

“We had a situation where some of the monuments were unstable,” said Tourism Consultant Tom Fugate, who was formerly with the Kentucky Historical Society. 

A team of volunteers and jail inmates, led by Fugate, are working tirelessly to clean the tombstones, level the ground, and secure the structures. 

Some of the gravestones were affected by stormwater that caused erosion at the base of the tombstone. Others had been pushed over by cattle brushing against it.

“Gravity begins to pull the monument away. The monuments were erected back at the turn of the century but eventually gravity will pull those joints and pieces apart,” said Fugate. 

They hope their restoration work preserves the area for years to come. 

“We want to try to preserve that as long as we possibly can. If we can get another 50 years out of what we’ve done today, we’ve done our job,” said Fugate.