For over a century, Turpin Cemetery has been a sacred resting place for families across Estill County. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we are committed to restoring headstones, maintaining 150+ acres of historic grounds, and ensuring every story is remembered.
Turpin Cemetery Inc exists to protect, restore, and celebrate the resting places of generations who built Estill County. From Civil War veterans to beloved community members, every grave tells a story worth preserving.
We partner with families, historians, and local organizations to maintain pathways, document genealogies, repair weathered headstones, and create a welcoming space for reflection and remembrance.
Help us restore 75 damaged and illegible headstones before winter. Every dollar directly funds materials, skilled labor, and documentation for families searching for their ancestors.
142 donors have contributed so far. We need $16,000 more to complete all 75 restorations by October 2026.
From hands-on restoration to digital archives, our programs ensure Turpin Cemetery remains a living monument to Estill County's history.
Professional cleaning, leveling, and repair of damaged markers using archival-safe methods. Priority given to veterans and historically significant graves.
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Year-round mowing, tree trimming, pathway grading, and erosion control across 150+ acres to keep the cemetery safe and accessible for all visitors.
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Digitizing burial records, creating searchable databases, and assisting families in locating ancestors buried at Turpin and surrounding cemeteries.
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Monthly volunteer events where families, scouts, and church groups help clean plots, plant flowers, and place flags on veterans' graves.
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School tours, living history presentations, and curriculum materials that connect young people with Estill County's pioneers and veterans.
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Annual remembrance ceremonies, Memorial Day observances, and assistance for families planning interments and memorial dedications.
Learn more →When headstones crumble and records fade, entire family histories risk being lost forever. Turpin Cemetery is one of the oldest burial grounds in Estill County, and its preservation matters to every descendant searching for their roots.
Burials date to the early 1800s, including Civil War soldiers, pioneer families, and community leaders who shaped Irvine and surrounding townships.
Thousands of families rely on Turpin Cemetery for closure, genealogy research, and a physical place to honor loved ones across generations.
Our 150+ acres provide green space, wildlife habitat, and natural beauty that benefit the entire Estill County community.
Weather, vandalism, and time have damaged hundreds of markers across our grounds. An estimated 200 headstones are currently at risk of becoming unreadable within the next five years.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with no government funding, we depend entirely on donations, grants, and volunteers to continue this essential work. Your contribution is tax-deductible and goes directly to preservation.
Support Preservation TodayHear from the people whose lives have been touched by Turpin Cemetery's preservation efforts.
After decades of searching, I finally found my great-great-grandfather's grave thanks to Turpin Cemetery's genealogy team. They restored his headstone and gave our family a piece of history we thought was lost.
I've volunteered at Turpin for three years. There's nothing like seeing a family cry happy tears when a headstone they've never been able to read is finally legible again. This work matters.
Our church group adopted a section of the cemetery and it transformed how our youth understand local history. Turpin Cemetery Inc makes heritage tangible and meaningful for the next generation.
As a veteran, it means everything to know someone is placing flags and maintaining the graves of soldiers who came before me. Turpin Cemetery honors service in a way that words cannot capture.
As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 81-5231382), Turpin Cemetery Inc is committed to financial transparency. We publish annual reports and ensure at least 85% of every dollar goes directly to programs.
Our board reviews all expenditures quarterly, and independent audits verify that funds are used exclusively for cemetery preservation, community programs, and operational necessities.
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $212,450 |
| Individual Donations | $148,200 |
| Grants | $52,000 |
| Program Expenses | $180,580 |
| Headstones Restored | 68 |
| Volunteer Hours | 4,820 |
Full audited financial statements available upon request. Contact info@turpincemeteryinc.org.
Our volunteer board brings together historians, community leaders, and preservation experts dedicated to Turpin Cemetery's mission.
Board President
Fourth-generation Estill County resident and family historian with 30 years of genealogy research experience.
Vice President
Retired educator and veteran advocate who leads our Memorial Day programs and youth heritage initiatives.
Treasurer
CPA and nonprofit financial specialist ensuring responsible stewardship of every donated dollar.
We are grateful for the churches, civic groups, and businesses that stand with us in preserving Estill County heritage.
From a small family burial plot to a 150-acre historic landmark, Turpin Cemetery has grown alongside Estill County for nearly two centuries.
Pioneer families establish informal burial grounds on Turpin family land along the Kentucky River valley.
Union and Confederate soldiers from local regiments are interred in dedicated sections still maintained today.
Community leaders incorporate the cemetery association to ensure perpetual care and organized record-keeping.
Turpin Cemetery Inc receives federal tax-exempt status (EIN 81-5231382), enabling tax-deductible donations and grant eligibility.
Our largest headstone restoration initiative begins, aiming to repair 75 markers and digitize 3,000 burial records.
Restoration updates, genealogy discoveries, and community event recaps from the Turpin Cemetery team.
Our restoration team completed a record number of projects last year. From collapsed markers to illegible inscriptions, each restoration reconnects families with their ancestors.
Read the Full StoryJoin us May 25 for our annual flag-placement ceremony and community remembrance service.
Read more →We've digitized 1,200 records so far. Search by name, date, or plot number from anywhere in the world.
Read more →Get monthly updates on restoration progress, volunteer opportunities, genealogy resources, and upcoming memorial events. We respect your privacy and never share your information.
Quick answers to the questions we hear most from families, donors, and volunteers.
Yes. Turpin Cemetery Inc is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 81-5231382). All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. You will receive a receipt for your records.
Contact our genealogy team at info@turpincemeteryinc.org or visit our Genealogy & Records page. We maintain burial records dating to the early 1800s and are continuously digitizing our archives.
Not at all. We welcome volunteers of all ages and skill levels. We provide tools, training, and supervision at every workday. Visit our Volunteer page to sign up for the next event.