As America approaches its 250th anniversary, a statewide effort is underway to ensure Revolutionary War veterans buried in Ohio aren’t forgotten.
Led by America 250-Ohio in partnership with the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office, Terracon Consultants, Inc., and heritage organizations like the Daughters of the American Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution, the Revolutionary War Veteran Graves Identification Project is documenting the final resting places of those who helped secure America’s independence.
There’s just one problem: no comprehensive, searchable map or public database of these graves currently exists.
With an estimated 7,000 Revolutionary War veterans buried across Ohio, the goal is ambitious—create a lasting, digital record of these heroes’ burial sites before time and weather erase them from view.
After the war, veterans poured into the newly opened Northwest Territory. Some were granted land in what would become Ohio, particularly in areas known as the Virginia Military District and the United States Military District. These plots were awarded based on rank, and not everyone qualified, but thousands made their way west to start anew.
One notable veteran, Nathaniel Massie, a private in the Virginia Militia who became a surveyor and later founded Chillicothe in 1796. Massie’s grave, perched on a bluff overlooking the city he helped build, was the first site recorded in the project.
Your Role in Preserving History
Here’s where Ohioans come in. The team behind the project is building a public, interactive map of Revolutionary War veteran gravesites—but with so many graves scattered across over 1,700 cemeteries, they need help.
Using a free phone app called Survey123, volunteer “Public Researchers” can document grave markers by snapping photos, noting inscriptions, and recording GPS coordinates. It’s a hands-on, meaningful way to contribute to local history—no experience required.
“We’re relying on everyday Ohioans to help us verify historical records and uncover new ones,” says Krista Horrocks, project manager with the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office. “It’s our sacred duty to honor these veterans and preserve their memory for future generations.”
Why It Matters
Beyond honoring the past, this project will support communities in evaluating the condition of these graves and prioritizing preservation efforts. It’s a living archive in the making—one that the state plans to update and maintain well beyond 2026.
How to Get Involved
The Grave Marker & Cemetery Collection Portal is the hub for all things related to the project. Volunteers can sign up, access tools, and even get recognized for their contributions (unless they prefer to stay anonymous).
To learn more or become a Public Researcher, please click here.
(Featured image via Ohio History)
