I've started a new blog featuring historic homes on the market in Connecticut. It's just in it's infant stages but I decided to take advantage of this beautiful weekend to take a road trip with my husband and photograph some of the antique properties myself. Of course we had to take a few side excursions - dairy bar for an ice cream cone - a local winery (I'm mu
ch more artistic after a glass of Reisling) - and later on, Sushi (drinking makes you hungry). On our travels we stumbled across the Old Abington Burial Grounds. Through a grove of trees, down a grassy path, we came upon this historic oasis, invisible from the road, sitting on a hillside surrounded by old stone walls and peaceful countryside. Abington Village is located in Pomfret - one of the sleepy towns located in the "Quiet Corner" of northeastern Connecticut. The cemetery is the final resting place for 60 revolutionary war heroes and in it, one witnesses the harshness of life 250 years ago. Short life spans, the loss of young children and death in childbirth are evident everywhere. Despite the sorrow once experienced here, this place exudes calmness and beauty - a window to the past.
18 comments:
You had perfect weather for your excursion. I love those old headstones, so much more interesting than the ones we have today.
PS - what is the URL of the new blog?
Hmm..I just realized, I have never been in a graveyard like that before!! You have me itching to go find one! :p
I love Pomfret. Sharpe Hill is our favorite Connecticut Winery -- although Hopkins is closing in. Sharpe Hill only has the edge because we love to eat at the restaurant and love the idea of becoming gentrified winemakers ourselves. Have you been to the Golden Lamb Buttery in Brooklyn?
Robin - when I said "infant" I meant it! I can't unveil it yet - it's not really a blog so it needs some basic set-up and info just to launch it. I'll show it to you soon!
Ladies - I lived in Northeastern CT for years so am very familiar with Sharpe Hill, the Golden Lamb, The Vanilla Bean and The Harvest. Not to mention The Lord Thompson Manor and Cottage House Spa which are in the area as well - I did a wedding post about it. We Connecticut bloggers should head out there for an "excursion" before the weather heads south!
Muralimanohar - graveyards like these are unique to New England as far as I know. What amazes me are that the carvings have survived the extreme weather here. By European standards though, 250 years is nuttin'!
I can't wait to "meet" your new website!
Those tombstones are amazing...I really haven't seen anything quite like. When I was a kid, we went on a class trip to Tarrytown, NY, and did charcoal rubbings of some of the old stones onto parchment paper (an odd class trip for a 9-year-old, but I'd love to do that now!). I don't remember the stones being this intricate, but then again I'm going back alomost 30 years so maybe they were!
Laura,
My aunt used to live in Tarrytown - I am sure there are some old cemeteries there as well. We had the same type of field trip as children so don't think that your school was more morbid than usual. It sure beat the sewage plant they took us to. I suppose they were ahead of their time and being "green".
Icecream, wine, sushi, a little history and beautiful weather . . . sounds perfect.
Nice day trip.
The old cemetery does look like a wonderful place. Old headstones are so much more interesting than the new, flat markers....
There's something sort of comforting about an old graveyard. Like it brings me closer to humanity when surrounded by those from the past. We are all the same in the end.
What beautiful and unique tombstones! I haven't seen any quite like that before.
And you know I'm dying to see your new blog. Sounds right up my alley! -Julia :-)
Your new blog sounds like it is going to be really great - so excited! This cemetary is beautiful and your photos are wonderful of it.
Wow, that cemetery is so beautiful! *I cant believe I just wrote that about a graveyard!* :) and your pictures of it are simply stunning!
What an interesting project you have here Marie-Louise! Lots of work, I guess, but you'll discover - and share with us - so many places! Keep us posted.
My children and I like to visit old graveyards. It does give you a glimpse into the past regarding everyday life. Rather than reading in a book how harsh life was, you see the evidence. Plus, old graveyards are so serene. And, the headstones all have a carving specific to the period.
Looks like a fun adventure!!!!
Come over to my blog and enter in my giveaway:)
enchanting!
I love that idea. I will keep checking back for future posts on this subject.
:)
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