On Sunday afternoon there was no snow around, so Zen-Den & I decided to go to Spring Grove Cemetery to see what it looked like in the weak winter light. [And yes, it’s the place where I got thrown off the Segway last fall.]
Spring Grove Cemetery, established in 1845, is one of five National Historic Landmark cemeteries in the USA. There are people buried there who were born in the 1700s as well as born last week.
The cemetery is a fascinating place that lends itself to going for a long healthy walk or, if you prefer, a casual ramble. It’s huge: 733 hilly acres, with 15 lakes and 44 miles of roadway. We wandered around on foot for about 2 hours.
No matter what time of year I’ve been to Spring Grove Cemetery, I’ve found something unique, inspiring and/or downright trippy to photograph. In my opinion, it’s worth the time and effort it takes to get there, if history, architecture and contemplation interest you.
The photos turned out very well. It is a remarkable place. An afternoon well spent, Bean.
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I agree, Z-D. Fun, healthy and unique. What could be better?
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Tim and I have always loved cemeteries. They are so beautiful, interesting and peaceful. This one sounds perfect for your meanderings. The pictures are wonderful. The babies’ markers are always very somber for me.
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Beth, Spring Grove is like no other cemetery I’ve been to. Beyond the sense of history, it’s a lovely botanical garden with so much space. It goes on forever.
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What a lovely place! I haven’t rambled around an old cemetery in a long time but I used to love to visit my grandparent’s cemetery. I was fascinated with dates, especially the ones that never had the final date added.
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Zazzy, I agree about the unfinished tombstones. Such mysteries, never to be solved.
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My mother loved old cemeteries especially the ones that had 1800 dates. As a child she would take me on a Sunday afternoon to discover a new cemetery and walk around making up stories about the inhabitants. I guess I was lucky there were no video games then. I loved those Sundays.
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Kate, I went walking through our small town cemetery with my mother, too. She knew where all the interesting tombstones and trees were. She’d have adored Spring Grove with its Revolutionary War generals and humongous trees.
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My mother would have too.
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What a beautiful and impressive cemetery! I love the statues. I enjoy visiting cemeteries also, the more historic the better.
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Margaret, this cemetery is fascinating. The variety of tombstones and mausoleums spans centuries. Someday I’ll go back with a map of famous people buried there, find a few of them and take a series of photos. But that will have to happen on a sunny warm day!
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My two favorite cemeteries are Pere Lachaise in Paris and this one in my dad’s hometown. (popularized by the TV show Northern Exposure) http://oldgraveyards.com/roslyn-cemetery-in-washington-state/
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Thanks Margaret. That’s an interesting link. The history of every area is contained in their graveyards, isn’t it?
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