CHCF Receives Award from HPA

The Hartford Preservation Alliance awarded Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation two awards last night at their 7th annual awards celebration. The first award recognized Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation's stewardship and preservation efforts of Hartford's historic Cedar Hill Cemetery. The second award recognized the Foundation and author Rudy Favretti for the publication of Jacob Weidenmann: Pioneer Landscape Architect. Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation is grateful to all the people, businesses, foundations, and government entities that support our efforts to care for and preserve Cedar Hill's incomparable memorial grounds. We would also like to thank the Hartford Preservation Alliance for recognizing our efforts.

Don't forget that Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation will be hosting its annual tree walk with tree expert Ed Richardson on Saturday, May 31 at 10am. This tour is free for all. From our monument preservation to our meticulous care of the trees and plants, we are committed to preserving these impressive memorial grounds. Come see for yourself.

Cedar Hill's Annual Rare and Notable Tree Walk

Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation is hosting its annual tree walk on Saturday, May 31 at 10:00 am. Led by tree expert Ed Richardson, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about some of Cedar Hill's rare and notable trees. The tour will begin at the flagpole at the end of the entranceway drive and is expected to take between an hour and an hour and a half. This tour is free for all.

Hartford Courant Highlights Irene McHugh

Did you see the article about Irene McHugh in the Wednesday, May 21st edition of the Hartford Courant? Susan Campbell shared with her readers Irene's contributions to Cedar Hill during her time with Hartford's historic cemetery. With Irene retiring from Cedar Hill Cemetery at the end of the month, it was a fitting tribute for someone who has done so much to bring Cedar Hill's history to life.

If you missed the article, visit http://www.courant.com/features/lifestyle/hc-susan0521.artmay21,0,7142579.column.

Don't miss your last opportunity to participate in a guided tour with Cedar Hill's Education Director, Irene McHugh, prior to her retirement on May 30. Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation's 3rd Tuesday Notables Tour will take place on Tuesday, May 20 at 10:00 am starting at the flag pole at the end of the entryway drive. Ms. McHugh will share with you the lives and accomplishments of some of Cedar Hill's most notable residents, including Samuel and Elizabeth Colt, J.P. Morgan and actress Katharine Hepburn. This tour is free for Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation members and $5.00 for nonmembers. For more information, call 860-956-3311, ext. 13.

Come Visit Cedar Hill

If you haven't taken time to visit Cedar Hill Cemetery recently, now is the perfect time. The flowering trees are in bloom, the birds have returned from their winter excursions, and the peaceful serenity of the surroundings is unmatched.

There are several more reasons to visit Cedar Hill now. The 120 year old entryway gates have been restored and are again adorning the historic entrance to Cedar Hill; Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation has launched its 2008 Tours and Events Season sponsored by Aetna which includes a variety of educational opportunities to learn more about the art, history and culture of Cedar Hill; the Oswin Welles bronze memorial on Section 1 was restored in the fall and looks better than ever against the backdrop of the warm, bold spring colors of the trees; and restoration work on the Colt memorial will begin tomorrow which offers a perfect opportunity to see our conservators at work on one of the most recognized and historically significant monuments at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Saturday, May 17, you can join Roaring Brook Nature Center's Jay Kaplan on a bird walk and talk through the woods of Cedar Hill. The tour will begin at 6:30am and will leave from the entranceway bridge. On Saturday, May 31, you can also join tree expert Ed Richardson for a Notable Tree Tour through Cedar Hill's historic sections. The tour will depart at 10:00am from the flagpole at the end of the entranceway drive. We look forward to seeing you at Cedar Hill soon - whether at one of our educational tours or simply taking a self-guided tour with one of our many tour guide maps.

Bird Walk and Talk this Saturday

Join us this Saturday, May 17 at 6:30am as Roaring Brook Nature Center's Jay Kaplan guides us through Cedar Hill's ornamental foreground in search of a variety of birds that call Cedar Hill home. Bring your binoculars and your walking shoes for this nature tour where it's quite possible to see more than birds.

Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation's 2nd Annual Run for the Roses was a huge success. More than 130 people joined us at The Hartford Golf Club for the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby. Guests came from as far away as Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont for the festivities, which included mint juleps, hors d'oeuvres, dinner, a silent auction, and live music. From watching the Kentucky Derby on the big screen television to dancing to Elton John's Piano Man, guests enjoyed the evening from start to finish. All proceeds support Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation's mission to preserve and protect the art, history and natural resources of Hartford's historic Cedar Hill Cemetery in perpetuity. We hope you will join us the first Saturday in May in 2009 for the 3rd Annual Run for the Roses.