Vehicular damage to Barratt’s Chapel wall, gravestones await fix in Frederica
By FREDERICA — While there’s no official cost for the damage caused by a traffic collision at Barratt’s Chapel & Museum on Wednesday, it’s clear repairs will be extensive.
A portion of a brick wall surrounding the Barratt’s cemetery, as well as several headstones, were flattened when a vehicle careened into them, Delaware State Police said.
The incident occurred at approximately 3:19 p.m., when the vehicle traveled off the left southbound lane of Bay Road, police said. It then hit a ditch, went airborne, crossed the northbound lanes and crashed into the wall.
No injuries were reported. Troopers said another vehicle, which caused the first to leave the road, fled the scene.
The motorist in the vehicle that crashed was cited for driving without a valid license and no proof of insurance.
For now, Barratt’s officials are taking a hands-off approach to the wall and gravestones, and won’t move any bricks or start repairs until an insurance estimate.
Museum spokesperson Phil Lawton said the wall was built sometime in the 19th century, using 18th-century bricks.
A mason has been contacted to do the rebuilding when needed. “We want to reconstruct the wall in a historically appropriate fashion,” Mr. Lawton said.
He added that replacing the headstones will be a process completed by Barratt’s Chapel Cemetery, a separate entity.
Programs at the facility will go on as planned, including a Christmas Eve service at 4 p.m.
For information on how to assist with recovery efforts, call 302-335-5544.
