Gravestones in the News & Upcoming Tours

In The News

Cemeteries and gravestones end up in the news for all sorts of unusual reasons.  Here are some of the stories that have been circulating recently.

From the Bangor Dailry News: Lincoln, Maine - Contractors discover 168-year-old tombstones during dig in Lincoln. Construction sites frequently seem to dig up gravestones where they least expect them. Some unexpected old gravestone were found in Lincoln.

L.A. Times: Linda Loma, California - Tombstones found during Loma Linda drug bust. Now this is not your usual gravestone story.  Headstones found during a drug bust? Seriously?  What's next?!!

Altoona Mirror: Altoona, PA - Local teen spent summer righting toppled tombstones.  This story was not at all what I expected.  I thought I would be reading about a teenager paying for his crime.  In fact, this is the story of a teen who was inspired to right toppled stones all on his own.  Really nice story.

WRAL.com: Raleigh, NC - Bureaucracy buries tornado cleanup at historic Raleigh cemeteries.  Red tape strikes again.  Politics is keeping storm-damaged historic cemeteries from getting the care they need.

Cemetery Tours

This is the season for cemetery tours!  Keep your eyes peeled for the chance to learn more about the historic cemeteries in your area. 

Here are two upcoming events that are happening local to me in Massachusetts:

Vine Lake Cemetery, Medfield, MA (Route 109/Main Street)

September 24, 2011 Saturday, 10 am to 1 pm

HONORING CIVIL WAR VETERANS

A walking tour in the Old Section of Vine Lake Cemetery to honor and recognize some of the 53 Civil War veterans buried there.  A re-enactment color guard and musicians will lead us to each site where stories of these men will be told.

Sponsored by the Vine Lake Preservation Trust

Palmer River Cemetery, Rehoboth, MA (Lake Street)

Sunday, October 16, 2011, 1-3pm

18th-Century Folk Art & Photography Gravestone Tour
at Palmer River Cemetery,   (call 508-252-3031 for reservations)

I hear that author Vicent Luti will be a part of this tour

Sponsored by the Rehoboth Antiquarian Society and the Carpenter Museum

If you know of any upcoming tours please share them in the comments.