Cemetery preservation associations, also known as ‘Friends of’ cemetery groups are an example of nonprofit organizations that contribute to the preservation of historic cemeteries. The research for this thesis focuses on four cemeteries and their associated ‘Friends of’ groups located in metropolitan Atlanta. Historically, cemeteries have served multiple roles in an urban setting, from final resting place to outdoor parks that local citizens use daily. Cemetery preservation associations are popular vehicles for concerned citizens to assist in the preservation and restoration of cemeteries but have not been thoroughly studied to understand what makes a group effective. By closely analyzing the evolution of local ‘Friends of’ groups, this thesis identifies the factors behind the formation of these groups, the qualities of an effective group and how the nonprofit preservation organization can answer a void in a local community’s history.
