Tour #3: Small Family Cemeteries-
A Driving Cemetery Tour
Meets at the Historical Society, 33 West Street
The Walpole Historical Society is sponsoring walking tours of the town’s historic cemeteries. This year marks Walpole’s 300th anniversary, but it also marks the Society’s 125th anniversary, and to mark these special occasions, we are hosting several walking tours of our unique cemeteries. We are lucky enough to have nine historic cemeteries in town, and each one is special and holds Walpole’s unique history. Each tour will have a topic to highlight Walpole’s history. It is our hope that through these tours participants will learn more about Walpole’s early history and the people who contributed to the town’s growth.
Small Family Cemeteries-
A Driving Cemetery Tour
“Walpole Pioneer’s Family Plots– Off the Beaten Path”
We believe we have created a unique cemetery tour, as you will drive yourself to four of Walpole’s little private family cemeteries. Start at the Walpole Historical Society at noon on West Street, and pick up a travel brochure. Follow the directions to the Morse burial ground, then to the Blake burial ground, the Hartshorn tomb and the Guild Family Cemetery. At each stop, you will be met by volunteers who will tell you about the cemetery you are visiting.
In Walpole, we have four small family cemeteries. These families created their own family burial ground on their property in the early 1800s. Even though, these families, if they desired, could indeed have been buried in one of Walpole’s established cemeteries.
Private family burial grounds can be found throughout New England and beyond, but they have not fared well. Many have fallen into disrepair, or have been vandalized or simply forgotten. It is safe to say that all these situations have happened to our little burial grounds, but thankfully they are still part of Walpole’s landscape and history.
This tour should be interesting as you have the opportunity to visit these cemeteries and learn about the families who are part of Walpole’s history. We would also like to invite you to come into the Historical Society to see the original gravestones from the Blake Burial Ground.
We will start at noon. Last car to leave will be at 1:30. We have wonderful volunteers who have donated their time to help us with this tour, and after 2 hours of showing visitors around our burial grounds, they will want to head home!
For more about the historical society:
Walpole Historical Society