An historic mausoleum in danger of collapsing

There are about 30 historic mausoleums at Rochester's Mount Hope cemetery. One of them has been deteriorating for years and now it's in danger of collapsing. Efforts are underway to save the Rau Mausoleum.

The Mount Hope cemetery dates back to 1838 and it has a lot of history. It's the final resting place for Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglas, The founders of Bauch and Lomb and many others. City officials says it's a hidden jewel that many don't realize exhists.

One important piece of history at the cemetery is the Rau Mausoleum, which dates back to the late 18-hundreds. In it lie 9 members of the Rau family, a German family that founded a brewery in Rochester now known as Genesee Brewing Company. 15 years ago a truck backed up over the Mausoleum and knocked off a cross whcih stood on top of it. SInce then the structure has been detereorating and now cemetery officials say it is in danger of collapsing.
 
Friend Of Mount Hope, a non profit organization dedicated to the preservation of the cemetery, says it will cost about 25-thousand dollars to repair the Rau Mausoleum. They have been working with the city and they met Wednesday night to discuss when the project will begin. They hope to have the structure reparied before winter this year.
 
You can donate to the Rau fund by sending checks to: The Rau Fund The Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery 1133 Mount Hope Avenue Rochester, New York 14620-2752 For more visit www.fomh.org