Although small in size, the state of Rhode Island has plenty of history – from colonial times, to the American Revolution, Civil War and the Industrial Gilded Age, the Ocean State has seen it all. On Thursday morning, Warwick officials got see progress on the project to refurbish the George Sears Greene Cemetery.

Starting at 11 a.m., Mayor Joseph Solomon, Ward 7 Councilman Stephen McAllister, Ward 8 Councilman Anthony Sinapi, project coordinators and construction workers gathered at what was formerly known as Kettle Street. Before them two earth moving machines worked on path with a series to stairs leading up the hill to the cemetery.

“It’s a great project,” said Solomon. “This place has really come a long way.”

Indeed it has, considering the heavily overgrown historical site was previously strewn with “plenty of beer cans and cigarette butts,” says McAllister. “It’s made a lot of progress.”

What started as “steep and snowy” dirt mounds, laden with only its natural wood line, has now turned into—in three short weeks—four sets of granite stairs that elevate to the grassy cemetery. There will be “benches, new railing, and iron fencing” said Steven Brodeur, a Shalvey Brothers Landscaping construction worker of 33 years. The new and improved cemetery will be devoid of “tree stumps” and other “ingrown” plant life. Also included will be several parking spaces dedicated for cemetery access at the end of the former Kettle street, several small seating walls and “interpretive signage panels,” which will narrate the illustrious life of the George Sears Greene, who is buried at the site and also bears cemetery’s name.

Born in 1801, Greene was raised “just steps” from City Hall in Apponaug and worked in the village’s mill. He went on to graduate second in his class at West Point Academy and embarked on what would be a “long and successful career” as a civil engineer. Later on, at age 60, Greene joined the Union Army during the Civil War. He rose to the rank of brigadier general and was applauded for his efforts at the defense of Culp’s Hill during the Battle of Gettysburg. Now, 120 years after his death, he rests alongside his second wife, Martha and his beloved daughter.

Greene’s legacy still finds life in Rhode Island’s history, and also through his many descendents. In fact, Judy Taylor (formerly Judy Green), who is a far reached descendent of the Greene family, and her husband Al Taylor, who lives in Alberta, Canada, decided to visit Rhode Island on returning from a cruise to Miami. They were in City Hall when they crossed paths with Major Joseph Solomon who was on his way out the door to survey construction progress at the cemetery. With lights flashing on his city car, he escorted them to the site.

“We had to bring them along for the visit,” said Solomon, almost in disbelief.

Judy was just as surprised.

“I said to my husband ‘let’s go to Rhode Island’ because I’ve always been interested in my ancestry,” she said. Her husband stood in amazement. “Who would have thought?” he remarked.

Although Judy and Al currently reside in Alberta, Judy explains that wasn’t always the case for her relatives. Her ancestor, William Green, (the ‘e’ was dropped from the name, she explained,) emigrated across the U.S., starting in Pennsylvania, then moved to Nebraska and eventually Alberta in 1907, where he would be a homesteader. Judy proudly showed off her family research, all kept together in a black binder. She says that her research “was possible through Ancestry.com.”

In all, the cemetery’s celebrated renovation will cost approximately $240,000 and is currently funded $100,000 from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) and the remaining $140,000 from the Apponaug Area Improvement Association and local Community Development Block Grant funds. Bradford Associates was awarded the contract for design.

As the visit came to an end, everyone who was a part of the project reiterated his and her excitement. Hopefully, the renovated cemetery will be finished and ready for viewing later on this summer.

Walking out, Judy still could not believe her findings.

“Maybe your ancestors brought us here for a reason,” said her husband. The woods filled with laughter.