Cemeteries, Our “Outdoor History Museums”
In this program, we’ll share the stories of three cemeteries. located in Commerce Township. All were founded between 1837 and 1848 during the Rural Cemetery Movement. We will explore evidence of that movement in the development of these local cemeteries and share some of the history of grave art and its iconography. These three cemeteries hold the stones of soldiers who died while in service. So, in the spirit of “who holds your flame, who tells your story,” we will be sharing their stories along with sharing some of our nation’s history.
A Zoom Link will be added a week in advance for those unable to drive to the Library.
Speaker: Ruth Du Fresne
Ruth Du Fresne has been researching her genealogy since 2009. She is currently an ag large member of the OCGS board.
In 2020 during the covid era she turned her genealogy researching skills to uncovering her community’s local history. In 2023 she presented her first cemetery walk. This summer she completed her twentieth . During this journey she was introduced to the idea that cemeteries are a community’s “outdoor history museum.” She has embraced this idea wholeheartedly.
In 2025 she attended a symposium about cemeteries and it intensified her passion to learn more and share here learning.
Suggestion Box
