Cemetery Journeys: Understanding Local Cemeteries and Gravestones

Presented by HVHS trustees Cheryl Jackson and Bob Warznak.  

Many think of cemeteries as forbidden places. They are actually quiet, peaceful places and outdoor art museums full of history. Not only the history of the individuals buried there, but also the surrounding community. Cheryl Jackson will discuss how her passion grew from taking photos of cemeteries to researching, reading and sometimes writing about the places she visits. She is not a professional on the subject by any means, but shows how a simple hobby turned into something of a passion.​ ​

Cheryl will explain some of the things she has learned along her cemetery journeys. One of the first books she bought on cemeteries was on art and symbolism. She will show various gravestone examples along with their meanings, both local and outside of the community. She will also show examples of some local colonial stone carver masters and of local stone cutting companies, as well as the types of stones used. She will touch on the local cemeteries here in Hopewell Township, and dig a little deeper into the Pennington Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Following this presentation, we will walk around the cemetery with Cheryl noting examples of art and symbolism and the various carvers, while Bob will discuss the history of many laid to rest there.