Dying to get in

Exploring your local cemetary is a great way to find out more about the history of the place you live.

Transcript

Dying to get in

A trip to the local cemetery doesn’t have to be sad or scary. It can actually be pretty interesting. And a great way to find out more about your community’s past.

This episode explains why cemeteries are so popular that everyone is dying to get in!

TRANSITION - ADKX Podcast Intro - Ready to earn some extra credit? You are listening to ADKX-tra Credit, a podcast for students about the history of the Adirondack Mountains and the people that have lived, worked, and played here. The Adirondack Experience, the Museum on Blue Mountain Lake, is located in the heart of the Adirondack Park of New York State. 

CONTENT

Before visiting a cemetery there are some things you should know .First of all, remember to act respectfully. Every grave represents a person who was loved by someone. Step around not on the graves, stones, and memorials. Don’t use the markers as a seat. Depending on the beliefs of the family there may be momentos like flowers, pebbles, toys, fod, or photos. Don’t disturb them. Cemeteries really aren’t a place for playing, climbing, or goofing around. There may be other people there visiting someone special to them. 

My second tip is to do a little research before you go. It’s a huge disappointment to go somewhere, then realize when you get back that you could have seen or done more. Check out some of these people and places that can give you more information and answer your questions:

• Community members that have lived in the area a long time.
• Cemetery caretakers - that may be officials of the town, religious organization, or a specific family or group.
• The Local Historical Association or museum.
• And of course, the library.

The last know-before-you-go tip is: Find out the rules, hours, and specific concerns of the cemetery you plan to visit. For example, it used to be really popular to create tomb rubbings. This is an artistic method of making an image of a gravestone. But, because it can cause damage to the stone, especially the really old ones, it’s forbidden or illegal in many cemeteries. Because of this, it's usually best to just take a photograph.

Okay, that's all the pre-visit stuff. Next up - what are you going to do while you're there?

TRANSITION - sounds 

If you have listened to other episodes of this podcast you already know that history is made up of stories. Cemeteries tell stories too. Each person laid to rest there has a story of their own life. Some of those stories are well-known and some are hidden. The cemetery itself tells its own story about the community, too. 

Take a look around at the cemetery as a whole. Is it park-like or woodsy? Are there any buildings nearby? What are they? A church or synagogue, or something else? Are the gravesites ornate memorials or small and plain?

Here in the Adirondacks you may be surprised that a lot of the cemeteries are small with humble markers. Why is it that when so many of the famous stories from local history are about Great Camps and railroad tycoons? So many stories of wealthy people and their Adirondack adventures. Well, remember that most of those people were summer visitors. They had homes and jobs and families in New York City, Boston, Pittsburgh, and other places. When they passed away they were buried in family plots in those places. The people in the local cemeteries are usually community members that lived and worked here year-round. Many of them were not wealthy enough to afford fancy grave markers. So that can tell you a little about the community. Was it mostly poor or has there been a mix of income levels?

What else can a look around tell you?

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If you have done some pre-visit research, You may have found that some well-known people are buried in the cemetery you are visiting. Find them and note anything interesting or unusual about their resting place. There may be a story attached.

With the help of a group of teachers, myself and the rest of the School Programs Dept at the ADKX created a Quest for the Long Lake Cemetery. A quest is a kind of scavenger hunt. You follow clues that lead you from place to place. The clues and the places help you learn more about the location. Our quest leads searchers to the grave sites of several interesting local historical figures. Along the way you learn a nugget of their story. Just enough to interest you in learning more.

Long Lake even has one gravestone that can be changed to show two different names for the same person. It just goes to show that even small, unassuming cemeteries have quirky stories to tell. I will leave a link to the quest on the web page for this episode. Print it out and go on a cemetery quest.

TRANSITION - sounds

There are so many things you can learn from a cemetery visit. More than I can list in a short podcast. Why you can even do some Earth Science! If that’s what you're into. Examine the stone used for the headstones, or the plants and fungi that have grown in the area. There is a story there too.

Don’t forget to take an adult with you. They will be handy for transportation to and from the cemetery, which are often in out of the way spots. They can help by taking pictures and maybe even picking up any trash you accidentally drop. And of course for personal safety. 

I hope you’ll take time to visit your local cemetery. It’s a great place to find out more about your place.

TRANSITION - ADKX Podcast conclusion - Thank you for joining us for an episode of ADKX-tra Credit. This podcast is brought to you by Adirondack Experience, the museum on Blue Mountain Lake. Our mission is to expand understanding of Adirondack history and the relationship between people and the Adirondack wilderness, fostering informed choices for the future. If you want to learn more fun Adirondack history visit our website theadkx.org