Halloween Countdown 2019, Day 23

[eldritchhobbit]

Why would anyone go out of the way to visit a graveyard intentionally? In addition to the fascinating stories they contain, cemeteries can be open-air sculpture parks full of one-of-a-kind artwork. They provide habitats for birds and wildlife, as well as arboretums and gardens of surprising beauty. Cemeteries appeal to art lovers, amateur sociologists, birdwatchers, master gardeners, historians, hikers, genealogists, picnickers, and anyone who just wants to stop and smell the roses. Our relationships with the places we visit can be deepened and enriched by learning the stories of those who came – and stayed – before us. 

– 199 Cemeteries to See Before You Die, Loren Rhoads

I’m thoroughly enjoying (and planning trips around the suggestions in) 199 Cemeteries to See Before You Die, which covers sites around the world. I’ve visited many cemeteries in my day, but only nine of them are listed in the book as worthy of the “must see” title. I need to get moving!

(Photo by AHS, blood-splatter nerd manicure “Killer” by Espionage Cosmetics.)

For the record, here are the cemeteries listed in the book that I have visited (with a few photos by Yours Truly).

* Old Churchyard of Jamestowne, Colonial National Historic Park in Jamestown, Virginia, United States (See below.)



* George Washington’s Tomb in Mount Vernon, Virginia, United States

* Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, United States

* Swan Point Cemetery in Providence, Rhode Island, United States

* Westminster Burying Ground in Baltimore, Maryland, United States (See below.)



* Cades Cove Primitive Baptist Churchyard, Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Townsend, Tennessee, United States 

* Mound Cemetery in Marietta, Ohio, United States

* Westminster Abbey in London, England

* Hólavallagarður Cemetery in Reykjavik, Iceland (See below.)

Do you have any favorite cemeteries?

If so, what (and where) are they?

Comments

[lizziebelle]

You know how I feel about cemeteries! Favorites are Mount Auburn in Watertown, MA (the first botanical park cemetery), Green-Wood in Brooklyn (modeled after Mount Auburn), Forest Hills in Boston (Roslindale). On my bucket list is Highgate in London, reportedly haunted and the burying place of Douglas Adams, among other notables. I'll have to check out that one in Providence!

[eldritchhobbit]

Ha, yes! You are the Queen of Cemeteries!!! You're brilliant.

And what a great list! I want to go to Highgate, too.

[ericadawn16]

I NEED this! Lately, I've become obsessed with the abandoned and unmarked. I just found out this week that there was a small family cemetery in my town that got bulldozed over about 60 years ago.

[eldritchhobbit]

Oh wow -- the abandoned and unmarked ones are fascinating, not to mention tragic. That's amazing about the one in your town. It's strange to think that a place basically dedicated to the idea of remembering can so easily just disappear and be forgotten.

I'm thoroughly enjoying this book! It has great photos, too.

[troyce]

I used to ride my motorcycle southwest of College Station and would always stop at Independence, TX. It's on the old La Bahia road that went down to Goliad originally. Today Independence is mainly a cross roads with ruins of the original home of Baylor University, and more popularly, is the location of the Antique Rose Emporium. One time I followed a gravel road and discovered an old cemetery. When I explored it, I discovered it contained the graves of Stephen Austin's ("Father of Texas" and first American colonizer)nephews. It's a rather important cemetery because of this, but hardly anyone knows it's there anymore.

[eldritchhobbit]

I LOVE stories like this! Thank you for sharing it. Going off the beaten path you can find such amazing and important places! I hope that cemetery isn't lost forever, and more people like you discover it.