Restoration of the William Fish Vault
In 2008, the Friends of Cemeteries, with financial support from the Fish descendants and the Watson-Brown Junior Board, restored the damaged Fish Vault in Memory Hill Cemetery. This vault is a Savannah style partially above - partially subterranean vault.
The success of this project was also achieved through the support and efforts of Williams Funeral Home and Crematory, archaeologist Stephen Hammack, and anthropologist, Dr. Matthew Williamson.
Fish Vault before and after restoration.
After exterior bricks were removed, the marble Wm Fish Family Vault door was discovered still on its hinges
Inside was discovered Sarah Harvard Fish in her Fisk Burial Case, along with several other Fish family members.
After all remains were removed, the structure of the Fish Vault could be seen. Sorry! There was no rocking chair or evidence of the legend of Mr. Fish.
Archaeologist Stephen Hammack and anthropologist Dr. Matthew Williamson examine charcoal found inside one of the caskets
Fish Vault with front end open for repair. Note the arched roof.
A stepped brick approach was used to return the arched roof to its original gable-style roof.
On Nov. 8, 2008, Sue Harrington (chair of the Friends), the Fish family and the Friends of Baldwin County Cemeteries celebrate the finished vault. For a PDF version of the program, click
HERE.
