The Mount Mora Preservation and Restoration Association continues to work to save and improve the city’s only cemetery on the National Register of Historic Places.

“Every year, people come here to visit from all over the United States, seeking information on their relatives,” said Suzanne Lehr, a volunteer, historical researcher and member of the association. “The stream of visitors is pretty much daily and at all times of the year.”

The association learned that at some time during the 19th century, two family vaults were removed along with a receiving vault that collapsed.

The association seeks to keep these kinds of things from happening in the future and to protect this national treasure, said Dr. Sharon Kosek, an association member. This summer, the association has been spending more than $18,000 of the funds it has raised to do emergency work on the exterior of the Collins, Lemon, Marlow, McCord, Owen and Richardson mausoleums. In the future, the association plans to have several mausoleums open so people can view the inside without entering. A guide will talk about the individuals associated with each of the mausoleums.

The association raises a lot of its funds through public and private tours and memberships. Grants and memorials continue to play a role in association efforts. The Questors has supported the association’s efforts with a grant.

Memorial gifts from the Runcie Club and Christ Episcopal Church helped restore the Runcie family plot, and some families have been supportive of efforts to repair their relatives’ graves, Mrs. Lehr said.

Volunteers are another source that the association seeks. Tim Hamm; his son, Tyler Osborn; Rick Ezzell; John Wittington and Dennie Pitts are volunteers who’ve been extremely supportive, Mrs. Lehr said.

A number of Boy Scouts have volunteered to do their Eagle badge projects at the cemetery, Mrs. Kosek said. Missouri Western State University did the Web site design in partnership with the association.

Barbara Turner, a volunteer, computerized most of the burial records. This winter, new volunteers will add pictures and data on occupations, military service and other family information that researchers have uncovered.

The long-range goal is to get fences installed around the west, north and east sides of the cemetery. It’s been a goal of the cemetery board since 1908, Mrs. Kosek said.

“Voices from Our Past” on Oct. 29 and 30 will be the association’s next fundraising event. Go to the group’s Web site for additional information at www.mountmora.org.

Marshall White can be reached

at marshall@npgco.com.