Although it might be one of the more unusual attractions on the Vermont “must-see” list, Hope Cemetery in Barre is certainly worth a visit. Thanks to a trusty Sony Cybershot digital camera, we snapped a large number of photos on October 23, 2005 and here they are. Not only did we take some of the more “famous” memorials but also some of the more unusual and creative works. Stop by the Visitor’s Center in Barre and check out the granite quarries too. Lots of great things to see and discover!

Hope Cemetery – A Work of Art

Located on a small hillside in Barre, VT, the “Granite Capital of the World”, the Hope Cemetery stands as a magnificent tribute to the stone cutters and artisans peacefully interred amongst their very own creations. Entering the front gate, you will pass by two granite sentries, forever watchful over their abode. From the moment you arrive you’ll notice this is no typical resting place for loved ones gone by. It is truly a gallery of splendid artwork in the most unusual of settings.

Here’s what distinguishes Hope Cemetery beyond the rest. Hobbies of the deceased are perpetually preserved through ornate stone carvings in the shape of soccer balls, bi-planes and even a racing car.

Perhaps in consideration of the restful living, one monument is a life size easy chair with the inscription “Bettini”. Another stone is carved in the shape of a bay window. A lady with a bonnet can be seen washing dishes next to a flower pot through the stone panes. Many other stones depict country scenes of Vermont highways, mountains and forests, beloved homes of the deceased and even a tractor trailer truck presumably the last reminder of a man named Galfetti. A tilted cube rests precariously on a stone base marked with “Tree of Life” and the inscription of “Salesman” on the adjacent side.

The truly awe inspiring statue monuments are perhaps the most ghostly of all. See Giuseppe Donati’s stone, a raised relief depiction of a soldier smoking a cigarette, while the face of his wife or person close to him floats in a wisp of smoke.

Bored Angel, which is also known as the “Sitting Angel”, the work of carver Louis Brusa, rests between columns, legs crossed, head balanced on her chin. Brusa’s own grave features a strange sculpture of “The Dying Man,” slipping away, held by his wife. Brusa passed away in 1937 to a common stone carver’s ailment, silicosis, from a lifetime of breathing in airborne stone particles. Ventilation equipment added to the stone carving buildings in the mid-1930s help to elimintate the hazard.

Elia Corti has one of the most fascinating stones of all. It was cut from a single piece of granite by the brother of the deceased. The outstanding hand carved life size figure sits quietly contemplative for an eternity to come. The detail of the clothing and the tools of the granite trade almost bring this figure to life.
One remarkably eerie tomb is shaped like a bed. William and Gwendolyn Halvosa are shown sitting up in pajamas, holding hands, their tombs stretched out before them. No doubt, preparing for what will be a very long night of sleep.

Hope Cemetery was established in 1895. Originally, it contained 53 acres. Since then, it has expanded to a total of 65 acres. Edward P. Adams, a nationally known landscape architect, created the original plan for the cemetery. There are over 10,000 monuments made of Barre Gray granite. Hope Cemetery is a popular tourist destination and part of the Rock of Ages granite quarry tour.

As for the concert (the first of just a few in the USA) things got off to a rocky start. Apparently a group of overzealous fans waited at JFK for Gilmour and his entourage to arrive and hounded him and other band members for autographs. They were traveling with their families and I guess the kids got a bit scared. One of them was assaulted by a “fan”. Nice welcome huh?

As for the concert itself, I was pretty lucky considering what most people went through. I had a second row ticket and was able to stand at the edge of the stage where most people were fairly well behaved except for one or two morons. Up in the mezzanine and other seats, there were a few fights, drunks and people smoking dope. Listening to a bootleg from this show, it’s pretty apparent that the NYC vocabulary is limited to “F*** You!” this and that for just about all occasions. Pretty sad. I’ll never understand why some people will pay big bucks for concert tickets only to attend and act like boorish idiots at every opportunity. I think next time I’ll skip New York though and head for a more civilized city where people actually go to a concert to enjoy it not make asses of themselves. If you want to read more about the infamous opening night in New York City, read the blog at www.davidgilmour.com

So much for the crowd festivities! The concert itself was absolutely spectacular. The first half was David Gimlour’s new album (the whole thing with special guests Dave Crosby and Graham Nash). The second half was all Pink Floyd with lasers, fog and sonic perfection. Probably the best concert I’ve ever been to and well worth the trip. Oh yeah, I know people in NYC are supposed to rude, etc. but everyone we met at hotels, restaurants, etc. were very nice. Must be all the bad ones found their way into the concert.