Friends of Center Cemetery are celebrating three centuries of East Hartford history Saturday Sept. 18.
Center Cemetery, established 300 years ago as the settlement's first cemetery, is a wealth of local and state history and contains some of the finest examples of gravestone iconography and monument carvings.
While it may seem odd to celebrate this oasis of peace and quiet in the heart of downtown East Hartford, in fact for many years, particularly during Victorian times, spending time in the pastoral setting of the cemetery was a regular, common social activity.
The celebration will start with a re-dedication ceremony of our Civil War Monument at 4 p.m. to officially acknowledge the new Eagle that sits on top of the monument. This celebration is the well deserved conclusion to the hard work and perseverance of Friends members and especially President Raymond Tubbs. Ray's diligence on pursuing funding and grants too years to restore the singular Civil War obelisk to its rightful place of honor at Center Cemetery.
The Friends' Lantern Tour will start at 7 p.m. A guided historical walk for groups of no more than 15 or so as we like to give everyone a chance to hear our actors. While you wait, the Friends will also have Palm readers, grave art vendors and perhaps some old fashion stone cutting demonstrations.
On Memorial Day some of the members of Friends marched in historic costumes to help advertise our upcoming Historic Lantern Tour. The Friends are indeed looking for some volunteers to help with set up, ticket sales and overall things that need to be done. Please come down and join us. For info call Ruthie Brown at 860-643-5652 or Ray Tubbs 860-528-2987.