Arthur Wellington Anderson, a former city historian that the Fenton History Center is looking to raise funds to give a proper grave marker to. Photo courtesy of the Fenton History Center’s website

A former city historian, Arthur Wellington Anderson, lies in an unmarked grave in Lakeview Cemetery, and the Fenton History Center is looking to do something to change that.

Anderson served as City Historian from 1922 to 1949 when he died. While being born in Maine and not native to Jamestown, Anderson was known for being an advocate for preserving local history, making a number of contributions to local history in Jamestown.

Andrew Kolstee, office manager for the Fenton History Center, said some of Anderson’s contributions included advocating for Jamestown’s centennial in 1927, being a part of placing the first historical tablets and markers in the city, writing the first guidebook for that, writing “Conquests of Chautauqua”, a historical reference book still in use for research today, while also giving numerous talks and advocating for the preservation of local history. Kolstee said Anderson was also the one teachers went to for help when it became mandated for history classes to teach local history, and he also played a role in the short-lived Jamestown Historical Society, Chautauqua Historical Society, and the Flint Historical Society. Additionally, Anderson was a committed and controversial figure in the prohibition movement.

“Despite his contributions to history, Anderson died poor,” Kolstee said. “He wasn’t paid by the city until 1944, around 20 years after he began working as the city historian. He filed for bankruptcy in 1937, and when he died in 1949 the YMCA paid for his burial but not a grave marker.”

With no family in the area, Anderson was laid to rest in an unmarked grave, and now the Fenton is looking to get him a grave marker to help preserve his memory and honor his contributions to the city’s history. Kolstee said so far they have had a number of donors and are close to their goal, but still encouraged others to donate, especially if they have an interest in local history or preserving history. He noted that there are many people in history that have unmarked graves who deserve to have their stories told.

“We want to give that dignity to someone who worked tirelessly to preserve local history,” Kolstee said. “Especially because he is not native to Jamestown and was born in Maine.”

Kolstee said giving Anderson this marker as a way to preserve his memory is important because of his general historical work, specifically as an advocate and work he did helping the schools, along with his book “Conquest of Chautauqua”.

Once the Fenton History Center gets the marker there will be a ceremony of some kind to mark the occasion, and Kolstee said he might give one more talk on Anderson before that as well, following his previous talk that he gave on Sept. 10.

To donate to the gravestone fund, visit fentonhistorycenter.org/donate, and make a note that it is for Anderson, or mail or deliver a check to the Fenton History Center.