Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA
October 26, 2014 - my first visit to Laurel Hill Cemetery, and by no means my last visit. I hadn't felt so excited and overwhelmingly impressed entering a cemetery, since visiting Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in New York a year ago. Entering Laurel Hill, I knew I would not be able to make a dent in this roughly 78 to 95 acre (depends where I look that up) sculpture and vast garden of history. Thousands of lives here, stories behind each and every one. In 1836, Laurel Hill Cemetery was the second of it's kind - the second rural/garden cemetery in the United States. On this sunny, windy and beautiful fall foliage Sunday visit, I had with me, my husband, my daughter and her friend. I'm thinking the cemetery curiosity/interest may be rubbing off on my husband! Laurel Hill is the final resting place of many Revolutionary War and Civil War figures, people of great Philadelphia prominence (just drive along Millionaire's Row to see the vast mausoleums) and six of the Titanic's passengers are laid to rest here, as well. Entire families are found together. It is sadly striking to see how many young ones are buried here. Back in the 19th century, they young were so very vulnerable. Another trip is planned here with my family and of course my camera! Each stone has a story to tell, and each one is a work of art in it's own. So many beautiful angelic figures, (the pretty ladies as some of us call them), vast engravings with life's symbolism (with my Stories in Stone guidebook in tow), towering obelisks, grand mausoleums, much older and more vulnerable stones with worn out names and epitaphs. Two pairs of bright blue seats from Veterans Statium surround the resting place and a towering sculpture of a microphone, of sports announcer Harry Kalas, overlooking the Schuykill River. Many leaving mementos to one of Philadelphia's most loved citizen - baseballs, Phillies caps, wine bottles, a shot glass and a stuffed animal. And most notably, the world famous sculpture at the William Warner resting place - sculpted by Alexander Milne Calder - the woman lifting the lid from his coffin to release his soul. The most unique by far. I greatly look forward to my next visit here to explore the vastness of what this cemetery holds. After my next visit, I will excitedly display my work in a Laurel Hill gallery page. Thank you and please visit again soon!