Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals

The Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals cemetery project was commenced in 2002. Its purpose was to restore and maintain state-owned burial sites and preserve the diginity of persons who died in and were buried by the State Institutions. The records document surveys done to identify state-owned and private cemeteries on state property in Cranston and Exeter. Also documented are the efforts to re-inter the remains of inmates buried in the State Farm Cemetery that had been disturbed by erosion near the Route 37 right-of-way near Sockanosset Cross Road in Cranston due to nearby development. The department worked with several government agencies including but not limited to the Department of Transportation, the Department of Health, and the City of Cranston. Private agency involvement included the Public Archaeology Lab, Inc.of Pawtucket, and the Rhode Island Genealogical Society. The project was completed in 2009.

From the guide to the Guide to the Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals cemetery project records, 1880-2009, (bulk 2004-2008), (Rhode Island State Archives)