Headstone for Civil War soldier will be dedicated Saturday at Alms House Cemetery

Press Release, Albion Central School

Provided photo: Albion eighth-graders Mary McCormick (left) and Kendall Peruzzini (right) are shown in November with Craig Lane, superintendent of the Orleans County Department of Public Works, after a headstone was delivered for a Civil War soldier buried in an unmarked grave at the Alms House Cemetery on West Countyhouse Road. The public is invited to a dedication ceremony at 10:30 a.m. this Saturday at the cemetery.

ALBION – The hard work and research of two Albion Middle School students on a forgotten Civil War veteran buried at the Orleans County Alms “Poor”House Cemetery will culminate with a special “headstone unveiling” this Satursday at 10:30 a.m.

All are invited, rain or shine.

Last fall eighth graders Mary McCormick and Kendall Peruzzini discovered that a former Civil War soldier, Daniel L. Walterhouse, was buried at the cemetery in an unmarked grave.

After verifying the soldier’s lengthy stay at the Alms House and his significant military history, they applied for, and received, a Civil War era headstone from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Local dignitaries, historians, veterans, teachers, students, and interested parties will be in attendance. The program will conclude with a special military salute.

The project has garnered national media attention with coverage from the Washington Post, Fox News, the New York Post, and, most recently, the current edition of Reader’s Digest.

The cemetery is located a quarter mile behind the Emergency Management buildings at 14064 W. County House Rd., Albion.

Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for seating and umbrellas if there is rain.