As we all have realized in Gaspésie, the study of cemeteries can offer unexpected satisfactions...
I'd like to share with you a little list of sources provided by members of the Vernacular Architecture Forum, in case you decide to do some research in this field.
I'd like to share with you a little list of sources provided by members of the Vernacular Architecture Forum, in case you decide to do some research in this field.
- Lynette Strangsteds, Cemetery Architecture, 1988 AASLH
- For 19th century cemetery architecture, the classic "A Time to Mourn: Expressions of Grief in 19th C America" by Martha V. Pike & Janice Gray Armstrong (a good place to start)
- http://www.gravestonestudies.org/
- http://potifos.com/cemeteries.html
- Cemeteries & Gravemarkers: Voices of American Culture, Richard E. Meyer
- Soul In The Stone: Cemetery Art From America's Heartland. John Gary Brown.
- For 19th century cemetery architecture, the classic "A Time to Mourn: Expressions of Grief in 19th C America" by Martha V. Pike & Janice Gray Armstrong (a good place to start)
- http://www.gravestonestudies.org/
- http://potifos.com/cemeteries.html
- Cemeteries & Gravemarkers: Voices of American Culture, Richard E. Meyer
- Soul In The Stone: Cemetery Art From America's Heartland. John Gary Brown.
The two photos show the Mount Royal, the mountain that gives the name to Montreal. Besides being a fantastic park with two beautiful belvederes, and a place for cross-country skiing, skating and running, this is also the city's cemetery.
The Mount Royal Cemetery was incorporated in 1847 and covers 165 acres that belonged once to old farms. The property hosts many historical burials and valuable monuments.
As it happens in many cemeteries, the monuments are often subject to theft and damage. This summer, comprehensive documentation of all the works of art has begun. Hopefully this catalogue will be soon made available to the public, as it could help avoiding illegal commerce of these pieces.
One thing I like in the first picture is the mix of ethnic origins. In the foreground you can see a stone with an Arab name just beside a stone written in Cyrillic alphabet. Behind them there are 4 Anglophone names and among them a very Italian one (De Santis).
The Mount Royal Cemetery was incorporated in 1847 and covers 165 acres that belonged once to old farms. The property hosts many historical burials and valuable monuments.
As it happens in many cemeteries, the monuments are often subject to theft and damage. This summer, comprehensive documentation of all the works of art has begun. Hopefully this catalogue will be soon made available to the public, as it could help avoiding illegal commerce of these pieces.
One thing I like in the first picture is the mix of ethnic origins. In the foreground you can see a stone with an Arab name just beside a stone written in Cyrillic alphabet. Behind them there are 4 Anglophone names and among them a very Italian one (De Santis).
Excellent! Thank you, Silvia.
ReplyDeleteWho is doing the survey of Mount Royal? Is there a website?
Also check out an upcoming workshop given by the U. S. National Center for Preservation Technology & Training http://www.ncptt.nps.gov/Training/2008-Cemetery-Landscape-Preservation-Workshop.aspx
as well as the related links at this site.
Silvia -
ReplyDeleteWhy are there so many red stones?
Hi Janet,
ReplyDeletethe survey is done by (I think) Université de Montréal students and professors. There's no web site for the moment, they plan to make one. This is when the survey will become really useful.
Red stone... Good question! One thing is sure, that red stone is not typical of Montréal. This must be what was considered 'chic'. I'll try to discover more about it.
s
I wish we could share this with Andreanne, who introduced us to Parfait Bacon. Anyone know how to contact her?
ReplyDelete