Talk of the Town Speaker Series

October 17, 2018

Early Gravestones and Their Stories

Laurel K. Gabel

Ms. Gabel is a noted gravestone and cemetery scholar who presents her material with great knowledge and a good deal of wit. She will introduce you to the symbolism and special language of gravestones and how these historic artifacts reflect the attitudes about death held by society during these times.

With a focus on New England gravemarkers and their carvers; the Rural Cemetery Movement; fraternal and heraldic symbolism; and the historic and modern use of photography in mourning and memorialization, this well illustrated program chronicles changing styles and attitudes from the 17th to the 21st centuries. It promises to be informative as well as entertaining and is guaranteed to make you look at area gravestones with new insight and understanding. Come learn and maybe get a little spooked!