First Exploration of Spring Grove Cemetery

The Cemetery in Society: First Explorations

A Walkabout

Honors Experience ColloquiumSummer Term 2009

A Presentation by Ryan Welsh and Christina RielagThursday, July 9, 2009

The first view of serenity in an unlikely place

Although manmade, still a tranquil image

“Yeah, this is the life”

A view from the other side…A “window” perhaps?

What is the story of C. Haffner’s object?

Some end with periods while others do not. Why?

A massive monument

representing the Duhme Family

Plenty of room to sit and ponder the engraving, “Because I live ye shall live also”

Just a massive gravestone?

Or perhaps the lid to the vault

itself…

A very intricate “rephrasing” of an

old-world idea

An eerie, but beautifully crafted

piece of stone

“The best is yet to be The last of life for which

the first was made”

What are these?

Two names?

Two families?

Procter as in P&G?

Just a glimpse of Mother

Nature’s finest

Edwards

Artist’s name: Lisa Lawson

Fascination with mermaids?

BeautyVenus de Milo was

discovered without arms. She was considered the

epitome of female beauty. She has other things in common with Edward’s

mermaid…the Greek-like appeal, with the woven hair

and elegant skin and posture.

Much like sirens, mermaids would sometimes sing to

people and gods and enchant them, distracting them from their work and causing them to walk off the deck or run

their ships aground.Venus de Milo

Large Memorial, Ivy Surrounding

Two religions in one family

Christian Cross Jewish Star

OmegaOmega symbol ; It

means the ending, the last

and the finale, as in the book of

revelation God is described as the Alpha and the

Omega, beginning and end.

SymbolismThe double headed eagle is a

symbol on many flags and coats of arms

Straight Edge with Compass, Star in Circle

Symbolism? Fraternity and Christianity?

No end date? Is there a mystery to be solved here?

Spanish American War hero Received Congressional Medal of Honor

Unique Plants

More Iconology?Wooden cross with sword, cherub, and

vines with beautiful lotus looking flowers

The LotusLotus Symbol: grows in muddy water and rises above the surface to

bloom with remarkable beauty. At night the

flower closes and sinks underwater, at dawn it rises and opens again.

Untouched by the impurity, lotus symbolizes the purity of heart and mind. The lotus flower

represents long life, health, honor and

good luck. Legends originated in Egypt, and

is used as a Christian symbol today

(creation, rebirth)

Why is the gravestone hiding?

And the last stop…Cremation Wall