I launched a series of Cemetery Walks about 4 years
ago, and every single one has filled up. We have had
to limit each tour to 45 people. We don't charge for
the tour, since the cemetery is adjacent to our
museum, but is not on our property. I do about 3-4 a
year, at least 2 are on Saturdays. But you'd be
surprised how many people can come during the week,
which makes it easier for me because I am not giving
up yet another Saturday at the museum. :)
We are hosting 2 traveling exhibitions on cemeteries
in 2008 by Doug Keister, author of the books "Going
Out In Style" and "Stories in Stone" (both of which
are EXCELLENT books). In speaking with him about why
cemetery tours always fill up, he said it is something
that a lot of people are interested in, but nobody
talks about. If you have an event where people know
that everyone else is going to have the same interest,
they will show up in droves!
I have developed three tours in different sections of
the cemetery, as well as a tour for teachers. In
Ohio, the 3rd grade curriculum is local history, so
the teachers use the walk to teach that, as well as
map reading and other skills they have to teach. The
school tours are self guided -- the kits are checked
out at the Admissions Window and returned the same
day. The teachers block out an hour during their
field trip to do it. I wish they were used more, but
we don't have the staffing to lead guided tours, which
might appeal to more teachers.
I also have 2 outreach programs on cemeteries -- "An
Armchair Walking Tour of West Lawn Cemetery" and
"Unlocking the Secrets of the Cemetery" (about
cemetery archictecture and symbolism). For some older
folks, the cemetery walk is too much of a challenge.
I developed these programs to accommodate people who
don't want to or can't walk in the cemetery.
You should check out Lake View Cemtery in Cleveland:
http://www.lakeviewcemetery.com/
They have a wonderful activity guide and actually
market to the schools. The guide is free to teachers,
but I got mine free by explaining that I worked in a
museum and wanted to launch programs at our cemetery.
We are re-designing our website (which we know is
pretty terrible right now! -- we are launching our new
one in mid-January), but here is a link to what I've
done for cemeteries for teachers. Again, binders with
laminated pages are available for the teachers, so the
website is more of a preview. The kit has more photos
and activities as well.
http://www.mckinleymuseum.org/teacher_resources/teacher_resources.php
(West Lawn Cemetery Walking Tours are at the bottom)
Also, I have written a few cemetery articles for my
website:
Cemeteries as Museums
Cemeteries aren’t a place for the dead – they are a
place for the living! Wandering through a cemetery can
tell you volumes about art, architecture, and history.
If you just know where to look...
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art36546.asp
The Association for Gravestone Studies
Yes, there is such a group. If you love to poke around
old cemeteries, this is the organization for you!
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art36550.asp
BOOK REVIEW - The Secret Cemetery
The Secret Cemetery is a ground-breaking new book on
the rarely studied contemporary use of cemeteries.
Using extensive interviews and questionnaires with
mourners at several London cemeteries, a fascinating
picture emerges.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art42942.asp
BOOK REVIEW – Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery
What a historic journey of New York City’s movers and
shakers!
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art36678.asp
BOOK REVIEW: Silent Cities – The Evolution of the
American Cemetery
Written by prominent historians, this hard-to-find
book about cemeteries is definitely worth reading!
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art42947.asp
Hope this is all helpful and of interest!
Kim
Kim Kenney
Curator
--- Laura Wheaton <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> I'm curious about what you all think about this type
> of program. What purpose
> does it serve? Are they worthwhile, and why? What
> challenges do you face in
> implementation? Do all museums want to put one on?
> why or why not?
>
>
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Kimberly A. Kenney, Curator
Wm. McKinley Presidential Library & Museum
800 McKinley Monument Dr. NW
Canton OH 44708 * 330-455-7043
* McKINLEY DAY: Saturday January 27, HALF PRICE ADMISSION!!
* 100 HOURS CELEBRATION: To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Monument, the Museum will be open 100 consecutive hours from June 27 - July 1, 2007!
"Let us ever remember that our interests are in concord, not conflict; and that our real eminence rests in the victories of peace, not those of war." -- 25th United States President William McKinley
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