Barbaro's Final Resting Place

The 134th running of the Kentucky Derby is right around the corner as is Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation's 2nd Annual Run for the Roses fundraiser. The Foundation's Run for the Roses is designed to celebrate the American tradition of the Kentucky Derby while supporting the preservation of Hartford's historic Cedar Hill Cemetery.

The year prior to launching the Run for the Roses, Barbaro won the 132nd running of the Kentucky Derby by six and half lengths. He instantly became a favorite as he moved onto the Preakness. Unfortunately, Barbaro's career was cut short when he broke his hind leg while running the Preakness. After battling to recover from his injury for eight months, Barbaro's owners euthenized him knowing his quality of life had been forever diminished. It was just recently announced that after searching for the perfect final resting place for Barbaro, he will be interred at Churchill Downs - the first horse to ever receive such an honor.

This year as we celebrate the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby we will also celebrate the importance of each life and remembering those who have "run" before us.

New Book - Harriet and Isabella

In accordance with its mission, Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation is committed to sharing the lives and accomplishments of its residents. Thus, we are excited to share with you a new book about Isabella Beecher Hooker, a Cedar Hill Cemetery resident.

According to Hartford Courant writer Carole Goldberg, author Patricia O'Brien bases her newest book, Harriet and Isabella (Touchstone, $25), on the prominent Beecher family, whose members included the Presbyterian preacher Lyman Beecher, his daughter Harriet Beecher Stowe - the author of Uncle Tom's Cabin, her sisters Isabella Beecher Hooker and Catharine Esther Beecher, and their brother Henry Ward Beecher - the charismatic clergyman who became embroiled in an adultery scandal that rocked the nation in the 1800s. What became known as the "trial of the century" of Henry Ward Beecher caused a permanent divide in the normally close-knit family and set Harriet, who supported her brother, against Isabella, who did not.

To learn more about Harriet and Isabella and to find merchant locations, visit http://www.harrietandisabella.com/. You can also learn more about Isabella Beecher Hooker and visit her memorial site by visiting Hartford's historic Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Where are the Entryway Gates?

If you have been to Cedar Hill Cemetery in the past few months, you will notice the entryway looks very different without the historic wrought-iron gates welcoming you as you enter. The gates were removed in August for a complete restoration. With the restoration process expected to take three to four months, we anticipated their grand return before the beginning of the new year. Well, 2008 is here and the gates are not!

Executive Superintendent Bill Griswold has been maintaining close communication with Cassidy Brothers, Inc., in Rowley, Massachusetts. The foundry staff are working diligently to complete the restoration. In order to ensure the gates are authentically restored and not simply rebuilt, they are doing much of the detail work by hand. This time-consuming process has resulted in a delay. Based on recent conversations, we are hopeful the gates will be returned before the arrival of spring.

The total cost to restore the entryway gates is $33,000. Due to the generosity of many supporters, Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation has received more than $28,000 in donations restricted for this project. We are sincerely grateful to everyone who made gifts in support of this project, and we continue to seek additional restricted funds to reach the $33,000 goal. Once restored, we envision the gates welcoming residents and visitors to Cedar Hill’s memorial grounds for the next 120 years.

January 10, 1862

It was 146 years ago today that Samuel Colt passed away. The inventer of the Colt revolver and owner of Colt's Manufacturing, Mr. Colt passed away at the age of 48. At the time of his death, he had only been married to his wife Elizabeth for five years. During that time, Elizabeth had conceived five times. Unfortunately, starting a family proved to be very difficult for Samuel and Elizabeth. Their first two children, Samuel Jarvis and Elizabeth Jarvis, died in infancy and were buried on the grounds at Armsmear. When Sam died, Elizabeth was caring for two-year-old Caldwell Hart, a sick infant, Henrietta Selden, and was pregnant with their fifth child. Henrietta died ten days after her father and Elizabeth gave birth to their final child, a stillborn, the following July.

Elizabeth never remarried. She dedicated her time to raising Caldwell, running Colt's Manufacturing and erecting memorials in memory of Sam and their children. In January 1894, their only surviving child, Caldwell, passed away. It was then that Elizabeth disinterred her family from the family burial lot at Armsmear and reinterred them at Cedar Hill Cemetery. On May 25, 1894, Samuel, Caldwell Hart, Samuel Jarvis, Elizabeth Jarvis, Henrietta Selden and infant Colt were buried on Section 2 at Cedar Hill. Elizabeth died 11 years later on August 23, 1905.

Nearly 150 years old, the Colt memorial is in desperate need of restoration. Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation has launched the Colt Memorial Fundraising Campiagn to raise the funds necessary to restore this artistic and historic Hartford treasure and to ensure the Colt's are memorialized as Elizabeth had intended in perpetuity. To learn more about this campaign and how to contribute, visit http://www.cedarhillcemetery.org/.

2008 Tours and Events Season - Suggestions Welcome

While our coldest days of winter may be here, Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation staff are working diligently to finalize our tours and events calendar for 2008. Bird and tree walks are right around the corner, and we are seeking input from you about the tours and events you would like for us to include during the upcoming tours and events season. Do you have a favorite event you would like to see again? Do you have a suggestion for something new? Would you like to volunteer with the Foundation? Send us your comments. We look forward to hearing from you!