I live across the street from an historical cemetery that captivates me especially during the fall season. I love how the fall foliage frames the green space with color. Later, when the leaves start to fall, the mighty maples and oaks stand proud, making a statement against the sky.

I don’t think of the cemetery as creepy or scary. It’s a comforting place filled with stories to be told about local history. I finally checked off my bucket list item when I “featured” the cemetery at a small gathering.

I’ve been talking about hosting an autumn gathering that would somehow include “something” with the cemetery for about 20 years (yes, really!). I could say the moon and stars aligned, literally, since it ended up falling just days before Halloween with gorgeous weather on a night of the full moon! Autumnal perfection!

Planning Cemetery Experience

Once that I had a date scheduled, I needed to figure out how to incorporate a cemetery experience to highlight an October evening. I started out thinking have appetizers in the cemetery with a fold-up table and camp chairs. But I gave that up thinking it could be chilly. Then I considered a ghost story walk, but I nixed that feeling it was a bit contrived. Plus, it kind of spooked me out, honestly. I mean, I do live across the street from a cemetery. Why tempt fate?!

Finally, after spending time rambling around in the cemetery, I decided to spotlight the cemetery itself. After several focused walkthroughs, I knew I’d needed to do my research first. With that information, I could share stories dating back to colonial days.

If you’re interested in cemeteries, I recommend to first take time to look closely at gravestones that call out to you. Take time to pause and then delve deeper: Whether it’s the art or wording etched into the stones or the history of the people buried there.  

Lesson on My Local Cemetery

I’ve never given a prepared tour before, so I knew I’d need to get my facts straight. Once I started researching, I found a wealth of information but much of it was in bits and pieces. Using a town history book as my source of truth in tandem with the cemetery’s website, I was able to zero in on some of my town’s most interesting forebears. I also gave myself a crash course of historical New England cemeteries.

From that, I started building stories about the people and families that helped shape my town. Every town has its share of forefathers/mothers who greatly contributed to their town.

What I found was the surnames of some of the first settlers turned out to be among the most prominent family names in town today. Then there were the benefactors responsible for supporting the town’s infrastructure and services from public schools, library and town park. Not to be forgotten are those who gained luminary status as early pioneers in their field or trade from savvy businessmen, inventors and politicians. Local history was great material for my tour!

Old Cemetery, New Experience

The story of this resting place is not unlike many others in New England and around the United States. Let me provide some background: Old Cemetery is located in an old mill town known as Spencer in Central Massachusetts. It became a reality in 1740 through land donation for both a cemetery and a meeting house. It was the town’s first and only cemetery for a century.

It started out as a simple plot of land, behind the meeting house, which became the congregational church, and was nestled in quiet neighborhood located in the town’s center. Over the years, the cemetery grew and improved through additional donations. The church, unfortunately, perished in 2023 due to a fire caused by a lightning strike.

Let Your Curiosity Guide You 

Like so many of us, we are fascinated with cemeteries. When I’d stroll through, I tried putting myself in my town’s ancestors’ shoes. I’d squint my eyes trying to envision what the landscape was like then looking from the hill behind the church. I’d wonder what it was like for the early settlers starting out in an undeveloped town.

I wondered if families would picnic at their loved ones’ graves as it was a thing in 19th century. Would they gaze yonder to the rolling hills in the distance, and find the sense of tranquility like I find in the green space.

I’d think about life way back when. How my little town started out on the Old Post Road and was a happening place during its manufacturing heyday with successful businesses from wire mills and shoe factories. There was also the seemingly glamourous era when the trolley provided transportation, bringing city folk to visit.

What the Gravestones Tell You

I also observed that many lived surprising long lives for their time. For example, many passed away in their 70s and 80s when life expectancy much younger. I wondered if they were blessed with good genes, followed the rules of moderation or perhaps were affluent and able to get better preventive care.

In addition, many of those resting in Old Cemetery served our country fighting in the American Revolutionary War (1775 to 1783) the Civil War (1861-1865).

Through my frequent cemetery visits and online research, it seems that the first person buried here died in 1742 while the last was in 2018. Surely, you can imagine the contrast between the stones over three centuries. The oldest one is made of slate and stands out because it’s placed sideways rather than uniformly aligned in a row. The most recent one I found, made of polished granite, is a bench where husband and wife died at 95 and 96, and just five months apart.

Art of Historical Gravestones

While I’m no expert of gravestone iconography and the full breadth and depth of its symbolism, I found myself intrigued by designs etched into stones. I spent some time trying to understand what some of the motifs signified.

Among the oldest stones include those with plain-style lettering, usually devoid of designs. Then there are the prolific “death heads” or winged skulls which symbolize the carrying off of loved ones to the afterlife. Over time, death head motifs evolved to cherubs and angels.

Urns and willow trees are common among historical stones too. Urns represent storing of ashes and therefore a symbolism of death. Willows portray grief and great sadness to immortalize the loss of loved ones.

Monument and obelisk gravestones arrived later. To me, they display a sense of grandeur and a sign of wealth because of their prominence in size and height. While there are fewer modern stones with machine-carved polished granite in the cemetery, they are there and often look out of place when situated near the oldest historic stones. However, I like the contrast of old and new and knowing people from today can visit loved ones buried here, even if a rare occasion.

Due to test of time and vandalism some years ago, some stones have toppled over and/or have been separated from their bases. Some have been repaired while others are broken into pieces. It saddens me to see the stones in this state, a desecration to those who lived here centuries ago and a made a difference.

Highly Recommend a Cemetery Stroll

While working on this post, I revisited my steps of my tour and took some extra time to look at the cemetery with fresh eyes. I know it isn’t totally unique because so many are similar throughout the Northeast and throughout the United States. However, the names of the people here resonate with me; these are ancestors in which our library, schools, parks and business block are named after. Knowing more about those who rest here, makes me appreciate what my little town is today. This will ring true for your town or city.

If you’re intrigued, too, I suggest you learn more about your local cemeteries. Stroll and carefully look at the gravestones, their messages and artwork engraved in the old stones. In the fall when the air is crisp and the leaves are underfoot, it just seems fitting to take it all in, breathe in deeply and let your mind relax and ponder.

Pin to Save for Later