Wednesday, October 19, 2022
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Cemetery tour set for this Saturday - October 15, 2022 - Washington Cemetery - Washington Court House, Fayette County, Ohio
Hayrides will depart from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. that evening but while guests wait, they can enjoy drinks and snacks while learning a little bit about what the Commission’s function and responsibilities.
“There will also be a Civil War camp set up there that people can enjoy while waiting as well,” added McCane.
“The hayrides will depart from the Commission on Aging and head for Washington Cemetery. Once the guests arrive at the cemetery, there will be 17 stops,” explained McCane. “The individuals at the cemetery will tell a little bit about the person at each of those stops and will also be dressed up as the person being discussed.”
Attendees to the event will then have the chance to stretch their legs while touring the inside of the Judy Chapel.
McCane explained that there would be many members of the community participating in the tour.
“We will have members from the Fayette County Historical Society, students from Washington High School, Joe Denen, our city manager, as well as Vernon Stanforth, our county sheriff. We also have several people from Carnegie Library participating along with members from the Henry Casey Camp that will be dressed up in their military uniforms.”
Friday, October 7, 2022
Remembering Kathleen "Katie" Karrick - Cleveland's Cemetery Lady
Katie began by explaining that the early settlers buried their dead near where they worshipped. She stated how overcrowded graveyards had become a source for diseases and because of that over time people began to establish them outside of populated areas.
This type of location change was part of what became known as the rural cemetery movement. She said by 1845 dozens of rural cemeteries were in various stages of development.
Katie made us aware that the Victorians felt nature had a vital connection with cemeteries.- Thus, many garden cemeteries and landscaped cemeteries coming on the scene incorporated such aspects as curving paths and roadways. She said they wanted to have a ‘view of their own city’ so many cemeteries were built on hillsides or on land where the city could be seen from the burial ground areas.
She cited how roses carved in a stone denoted it was for a female while acorns and leaves were carved on stones for males.
Often the anchor was created on a stone to convey the message of hope.
A broken column on the front of a monument told the story of a life that was cut short.
Weeping willow tree carvings on stones became quite popular.
Examples of these can be seen today at several older cemeteries in
Reclining lambs carved atop small stone and marble markers for young children and babies symbolize their innocence.
***********
Other monument photos included in Katie’s presentation were examples of zinc markers and monuments also known as "white bronze". Katie said these were sold as an inexpensive alternative to stone. In reality, however, the zinc material held up better. Many such monuments remain in excellent condition today and can be seen in several cemeteries throughout Ohio. The monuments were constructed in panels that are removable. I must add that her photographs of these uniquely ornate and statuesque monuments became my favorites!
From the audience’s interest and participation, it was evident that most left the cemetery workshop with an enriched knowledge of the meanings of several examples of funerary symbolism that will serve them in good stead on each cemetery visit.
***********
Thank you Katie for being an inspiration to those of us who have followed you and your work!