Allegany County, established 1789, county seat Cumberland.
News from the County:
County commissioners recognize Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization

CUMBERLAND, Md. — The Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization was recognized for its 40th anniversary at Thursday’s Allegany County commissioners meeting.
Ed Taylor Jr., president of the organization, said the group has built roughly 900 monuments valued at more than $5.5 million, roughly 90% of which has come from the private sector over the past 40 years.
He thanked county officials for their support, and praised the organization’s volunteers for their help including to mow grass in cemeteries over the years.
“Monuments are more than just a tribute to the great men and women of our country in the past,” Taylor said of the markers that tell stories of history for future generations to read.
“To date we have monuments literally in almost every cemetery in Allegany County,” he said.
Monuments are also permanent, Taylor said.
“Programs come and go, buildings come and go, but gravestones are supposed to stay there until the end of all time,” he said.
Taylor said the organization in 1991 became a charter member of the Coalition to Protect Maryland Burial Sites.
“Maryland does have the best cemetery laws,” he said.
The commissioners proclaimed Feb. 23 Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization Day.
Taylor said folks can learn more about the organization at its website chco.info.
On All Souls Day November 2, 2019 the Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization held a memorial and restoration unveiling of the Carpenter Mausoleum located in Rose Hill Cemetery on Fayette St., Cumberland. The CHCO has worked to restore the structure for several months. The Carpenters were the founders of nearby Carpendale, WV. Dr. George Carpenter was a well-known medical doctor and during the Civil War he was a Captain in the 1 st Virginia Calvary of the Confederate States of America. For more Carpenter family history and information on the mausoleum visit the CHCO website at www.chco.info.
On Thursday July 4, 2019 the CHCO held their annual event at the CHCO Headquarters to honor the American Revolutionary War dead. The well-attended event included several speakers and the reading of the Captain David Lynn Plaque. The plaque was installed on the 1801 columns in front of the headquarters in 2008 by the CHCO. After the plaque reading, members and guests traveled to Rose Hill Cemetery on Fayette Street. Wreathes were placed on the Lynn gravesite and Thomas Beall’s grave. Thomas Beall was the Founder of Cumberland. CHCO members Francis “Champ” Zumbrun and Dennis Bittinger planted a “Liberty Tree” at the Thomas Beall gravesite.
Pictured below: July 4th Ceremony at Rose Hill Cemetery. Captain David Lynn’s gravesite, Thomas Beall’s gravesite (the Founder of Cumberland), and the Liberty Tree. CHCO President Ed Taylor and Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss placed a wreath on the gravesite of Thomas Beall. Thomas Beall was an American Revolutionary War Soldier and the founder of Cumberland, Maryland. CHCO erected the monument in 2014.
Allegany County Cemetery Mapping Project (updated May 2023)
Helpful County Resources:
Allegany County – Sailor, Maryland’s Public Information Network
Allegany County Library System
31 Washington Street
Cumberland, MD 21502-2981
http://home.alleganycountylibrary.info/
Allegany College of Maryland Library
12401 Willowbrook Road, SW
Cumberland, MD 21502
(301) 784-5276
Allegany County Administration
Allegany County Office Complex
701 Kelly Road, 4th Floor
Cumberland, MD 21502
(301) 777-2427
Allegany County Commissioner’s Office
701 Kelly Road, 4th Floor
Cumberland, MD 21502
(301) 777-5911
Allegany County Historical Society
218 Washington Street
Cumberland, MD 21502
Circuit Court for Allegany County
Court House
30 Washington Street
Cumberland, MD 21502
http://www.courts.state.md.us/clerks/allegany/
Frostburg State University
Lewis J. Ort Library (Appalachian Room)
101 Braddock Road
Frostburg, MD 21532-1099
http://www.frostburg.edu/dept/library/subguides/genealogy.htm
Genealogical Society of Allegany County
P.O. Box 3103
La Vale, MD 21504-3103
http://www.rootsweb.com/~mdallegh/acgs.html
Maryland Tombstone Transcription Project for Allegany County
http://www.usgwtombstones.org/maryland/allegany.html
Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization
400 S. Allegany
Cumberland, MD 21502
(301) 722-4624
https://chco.info
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places, Cumberland
ALLEGANY COUNTY CEMETERIES
Wise-Cline Cemetery, Frostburg