The Chilton County Historical Society is beginning the new year with several new projects.

The first is a cleanup day at the Clanton City Cemetery. The cemetery, which is located across from the Chilton-Clanton Public Library on Lay Dam Road, is the final resting place for members of many Chilton County families.

Among them are the first mayor of Clanton, Alfred Baker Sr.; Mary Joe McGowin Patterson, first lady of Alabama; many veterans as far back as the Civil War; and a faithful Seeing Eye dog named Alfano. The society would like to have a historic marker placed at the cemetery.

Two long-time members of the society passed away in 2012. David Dennis, who was serving as president, passed away suddenly in January. Marie Smith, the secretary for several years, died in May. As a way of honoring their work and love of the history of Chilton County, a scholarship program is being considered.

Another project being considered is updating the surveys in the “Cemeteries of Chilton” book published by the society. Most of the surveys were done in the 1970s and 1980s.

The cemetery cleanup will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9, which happens to be the 117th anniversary of Baker’s death.

If a second workday is needed it will be March 16, the anniversary of Baker’s birth.

Volunteers are needed to clean and straighten headstones and help to survey the graves.

Coffee, hot chocolate and snacks will be provided in the library for those helping.

Anyone interested in volunteering or becoming a member of the Chilton County Historical Society should contact Katherine Reece at kat@hallofmaat.com or 205-294-2197.

Information about meeting times and other Chilton County history can be found on the web at ChiltonCountyHistoricalSociety.org.