Using cemeteries to teach local history provide many opportunities to provide
local context for national topics. Everything from the location of the cemetery
in relation to the larger town to the art of the gravestones provides invaluable
information about how members of that community viewed death and life. How
a cemetery is used in the classroom is largely determined by what it is
that is being studied. Are you looking to see the impact of disease or mortality
on the make-up of the town? Do a survey of individual stones to see what
patterns develop. Are you looking at wealth distribution and social status?
Compare the complexity of stones within the same 10-20 year period. If you
are looking to see how the communityís perspective on death has evolved
over time, than take a look at several sections of the cemetery and chart
the changes in iconography, structure and location of gravestones.
for Local History:
** CEMETERIES **
General Teaching Tips: Provide information
on the Cemetery you will visit with students: its location, who owns it,
runs it, role in community. Check it out ahead of time so that you are
comfortable leading the trip and your activities are relevant. If you
use the sheets on gravestone symbols the students will locate, be sure
there are good examples to find. If you are dividing up the cemetery in
sections so that detailed work can be done on a specific area, find similar-sized
areas that allow comparisons. Modify the templates to the specifications
of your cemetery.
Gravestone Rubbing: For
many years, students and enthusiasts of gravestone art have taken "rubbings"
of favorite stones. While this seems like an easy project to do with students,
it is, in fact, quite controversial.. Repeated rubbings degrade
the stones and can cause damage if done improperly. The following
is an excerpt from the Association for Gravestone Studiesí guide on the
Dos and Doníts of Gravestone Rubbings:
- Check (with cemetery superintendent,
cemetery commissioners, town clerk, historical society, whoever is in
charge) to see if rubbing is allowed in the cemetery.
- Get permission and/or a permit as required.
- Rub only solid stones in good condition.
Check for any cracks, evidence of previous breaks and adhesive repairs,
defoliating stone with air pockets behind the face of the stone that
will collapse under pressure of rubbing, etc
- Become educated; learn how to rub responsibly.
- Use a soft brush and plain water to do
any necessary stone cleaning.
- Make certain that your paper covers the
entire face of the stone; secure with masking tape.
- Use the correct combination of paper
and waxes or inks; avoid magic marker-type pens or other permanent color
- Test paper and color before working on
stone to be certain that no color bleeds through.
- Rub gently, carefully.
- Leave the stone in better condition than
you found it.
- Take all trash with you; replace
any grave site materials that you may have disturbed.
- Don't attempt to rub deteriorating marble
or sandstone, or any unsound or weakened stone (for example, a stone
that sounds hollow when gently tapped or a stone that is flaking, splitting,
blistered, cracked, or unstable on its base).
- Don't use detergents, soaps, vinegar,
bleach, or any other cleaning solutions on the stone, no matter how
- Don't use shaving cream, chalk, graphite,
dirt, or other concoctions in an attempt to read worn inscriptions.
Using a large mirror to direct bright sunlight diagonally across the
face of a grave marker casts shadows in indentations and makes inscriptions
- Don't use stiff-bristled or wire brushes,
putty knives, nail files, or any metal object to clean or to remove
lichen from the stone; Soft natural bristled brushes, whisk brooms,
or wooden sticks are usually OK if used gently and carefully
- Don't attempt to remove stubborn lichen.
Soft lichen may be thoroughly soaked with plain water and then loosened
with a gum eraser or a wooden popsicle stick. Be gentle. Stop if lichen
does not come off easily.
- Don't use spray adhesives, scotch tape,
or duct tape. Use masking tape.
- Don't use any rubbing method that you
have not actually practiced under supervision.
- Don't leave masking tape, wastepaper,
colors, etc., at the grave site
Source: "Gravestone Rubbing for Beginners,"
a leaflet available from the Association for Gravestone Studies http://www.gravestonestudies.org
- What is the name of this cemetery? In
what community is it located?
- Locate the cemetery on town map. Describe
its location, size and immediate neighbors. Why do you think this site
was selected? What does the location of the cemetery tell you about
the relationship between life and death in the community?
- Who is buried here? Look for names that
are found throughout town (names of schools, streets, ponds, etc.).
- What years are covered in this cemetery?
List oldest and most recent you find. Identify the oldest and newest
stones in the cemetery. How have they changed over time?
- What kinds of gravestone shapes do you
find and what symbols are on them?
- Find several gravestones that look very
similar and might be carved by the same carver. What were his favorite
symbols and inscriptions? List the name of the carver if found on the
- Read several epitaphs and write out your
Critical Thinking Questions
- Can you determine when new ethnic groups
arrive and are their life expectancy rates different from community
contemporaries? Do you find causes of death specific to that group?
(Quarry worker, e.g.)
- Read poetry or literature that relates
to graveyards, death and dying and write an epitaph for a poets or authors
you are reading. Or if you are studying the community, write epitaphs
for leading townsmen and women.
- Identify stones representing different
levels of wealth and status in the community. How do these stones reflect
the economics of the community?
- Do a survey of gravestones that have
natural and human damage. They might be broken, knocked over (human),
eroded from rain, wind or be affected by plant material, lichen (natural).
Consider the kind of stone used and determine which kind is most, least
durable. Comment on the different methods of writing inscriptions on
the stone and effectiveness.
- Do a statistical study of life expectancies
during a particular period of time and note causes of death. Make comparisons
between different periods. Look for evidence of infant mortality, wars,
epidemics etc. What are the differences between male and female life
expectancy? What might account for this?
Resources and Web sites:
Great Necessity: Cemeteries in American History (Creating the North American
Landscape) by David Charles Sloane Johns Hopkins University Press;
(May 1, 1991) An excellent book for understanding the cultural significance
of the evolution of cemeteries in North America. Of particular note is
the section dedicated to the Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge. Most
of the larger trends in the development of cemeteries are discussed in
depth and examples are provided. Also makes the distinction between the
different types of cemeteries: burial grounds, graveyards, cemeteries,
etc. and their locations relative to the larger community.
Images: New England Stonecarving and Its Symbols, 1650-1815
by Allan I. Ludwig Wesleyan University Press; 1st edition (September 1,
1975) This text is essential for anyone focusing on the symbols found
on the stones. An excellent primer.
- "Farber Gravestone Collection" American
Antiquarian Society, Worcester, MA http://www.davidrumsey.com/farber/view.html
The Farber Gravestone Collection is an contains over 13,500 images documenting
more than 9,000 gravestones, most made prior to 1800. Superb images
from many towns in Massachusetts and elsewhere in New England.
- "How to Read a Graveyard" Part of the
DoHistory website. Steps to take when seeking graveyard evidence of
people's lives and cultural context. http://dohistory.org/on_your_own/toolkit/graveyards.html
Model Lesson Materials
New England Gravestone Studies" (High School level) Dean Eastman,
Beverly High School, Beverly, MA. Materials and assignments for the course
" Primary Research through the History of Beverly".
Studies" (8th grade). Sample general lesson plans about
local graveyards, as well as graveyard-related lesson ideas for various
subjects. Worthwhile content, a rather uneven website.
Study of Local History Through the Examination of Community Cemeteries"
- Steve Kocur, Old Rochester Regional Junior High School, Mattapoisett,
MA. Lessons cover Gravestone Symbols & Epitaphs, Mapping a Cemetery,
Studying Gravestones, Coordinating Your Data.
Grave Undertaking" A history-based inter-disciplinary unit for eighth
grade focusing on Deerfield. Six lesson plans, including "Cemetery
Research Organizer" worksheet.