An Evening of Jazz and Upcoming Events

An Evening of Jazz at Cedar Hill was an overwhelming success attracting 100 people from the Greater Hartford community to listen to live jazz music by The Steve Lord Quintet and The Tony Allen Quintet. To view photos from the event, visit www.cedarhillcemetery.org and click on the link at the bottom of the Home page.

Also, mark your calendars to join us for an upcoming tour or event. Below you will find the next two events in our calendar. For the full tours and events listing, please view the toolbar to the right. We look forward to seeing you soon!

3rd Tuesday Notables Tour
Tuesday, September 16, 10 am
Members free, $5 nonmembers
Take a guided stroll through Cedar Hill Cemetery's historic sections and learn about many Hartford notables who helped to shape the world in which we live. Please RSVP by noon on previous Monday by calling 860-956-3311, ext. 13. Tour Length: 1.5 hours

CT Ghosts and Mediumship 101
Saturday, Sept. 20, 10 am
$5 members, $8 nonmembers
Elaine Kuzmeskus, director of the New England School of Metaphysics and author of Connecticut Ghosts and Séance 101, is a nationally renowned spiritualist medium and has been certified by the National Association of Spiritualist Churches as a medium. Ms. Kuzmeskus will discuss her experiences of supernatural activity while doing research for her book Connecticut Ghosts. She will also demonstrate Mediumship and answer questions from the audience. Follow signs at the Cemetery to designated the location. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made by calling 860-956-3311or emailing info@cedarhillcemetery.org. Event Length: 1.5 hours

Upcoming Tours and Events

Due to Thursday's severe weather, Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation had to unfortunately cancel the Cedar Hill Sunset Tour. The good news is that due to the popularity of this tour, we have rescheduled it for Thursday, October 2 at 6:00 pm. In addition to watching the sunset over Cedar Mountain and learning about some of Cedar Hill's notables, attendees will also have the opportunity to traverse the historic sections on this guided tour as the colors of fall set in. Let's all hope for nice weather and mark this on your calendars now!

In the meantime, Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation still has several tours and events coming up. Next Saturday, August 16, join us for our family-friendly scavenger hunt. Teams will be given clues to solve the mystery of who stole Anne Tracy Morgan's adored necklace. Although it's a race to the finish, this event is sure to be fun for everyone. Admission for this event is $10.00 for a team of 2-4 people.

Also, on Saturday, August 23, Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation will be hosting An Evening of Jazz at Cedar Hill featuring The Steve Lord Quintet and The Tony Allen Quintet. Bring your chairs, blankets and picnic baskets and join us for an entertaining evening of jazz under the August evening sky surrounded by Cedar Hill's exquisite beauty. This event is $10 for CHCF members and $15 for nonmembers.

For the complete listing of tours and events, check out the calendar listing to the right or visit www.cedarhillcemetery.org. We hope to see you soon!

LGH Hosts Summer Social at Cedar Hill Cemetery

Leadership Greater Hartford (LGH) recently held their Annual Summer Social at Cedar Hill Cemetery. LGH invited leaders of today to enjoy Cedar Hill's art, history and beauty amongst the leaders of the past at this unique summer celebration. Attendees enjoyed hors-d'oeuvres, cocktails, dinner, live music, a scavenger hunt, a caricature artist and games from the 1800s. Several attendees took the opportunity to tour the historic grounds and visit the final resting places of Hartford notables such as J.P. Morgan, George Beach and Katharine Hepburn. From infants to retired adults, everyone enjoyed this outdoor event.

Cedar Hill Cemetery & Foundation welcome groups who want to use the grounds for recreational and educational purposes. Designed in a park-like manner, Cedar Hill Cemetery was once the place for families to go for picnics and leisure activities. Furthermore, many of Cedar Hill's notables are linked to businesses that still exist throughout Greater Hartford today. To learn more about scheduling a private tour or event at Cedar Hill Cemetery, call 860-956-3311, ext. 13.

They Called me Lizzy is Simply Remarkable

The East Haddam Stage Company's performance of They Called me Lizzy. . .from slavery to the White House was simply remarkable. Stephanie Jackson, who played Elizabeth Keckly in this one-person performance, was amazing. While it was a smaller turnout than we had hoped, those who did attend raved about Stephanie's performance and this truly heart-felt story about a woman who was a slave for 30 years and, after buying her and her son's freedom, became First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln's dressmaker and confidante. We hope to continue to bring East Haddam Stage Company performances to Cedar Hill in the future.

Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation's next event is the 3rd Tuesday Notables Tour, which will be held at Cedar Hill Cemetery on Tuesday, June 17 at 10:00 am. Learn about Hartford's history and the people who contributed to the world in which we live, including Dr. Horace Wells, Isabella Beecher Hooker, Samuel and Elizabeth Colt, J.P. Morgan and Katharine Hepburn. This event is free for CHCF members and $5.00 for nonmembers. If you plan to attend, please RSVP by Monday, June 16 at noon by calling 860-956-3311.

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.

CHCF's 2008 Tours and Events

Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation is pleased to announce its tours and events for the 2008 season. From touring the landscape, to learning about Cedar Hill's notable residents to watching a performance about the life of Mary Todd Lincoln's dressmaker and confidante, you are sure to find an event just perfect for you. You can find a full listing of tours and events in the column to right.

If you are interested in scheduling a private tour or event at Cedar Hill Cemetery during our 2008 season, contact the Foundation at 860-956-3311.

Save the Date - May 3, 2008

Mark May 3, 2008 on your calendars and join us for Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation's 2nd Annual Run for the Roses at The Hartford Golf Club. In addition to watching the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby aired live from Churchill Downs, guests will enjoy hors-d'oeuvres, cocktails, dinner, live music and a silent auction.

Joe D'Ambrosio, WTIC radio personality and voice of the UConn Huskies, will be returning as emcee.

Tickets are available for $125 per person. Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation members are invited to take advantage of a members-only, early-bird special. Through Friday, April 4th, members can purchase tickets for $100 each.

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.

For more information, contact Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation at 860-956-3311. We look forward to seeing you for the festivities!

Mark Your Calendars Now!

Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation is in the midst of planning its 2008 Tours & Events Season. We are excited to announce that we will be launching the season with our 2nd Annual Run for the Roses fundraiser which will be held on Saturday, May 3rd at The Hartford Golf Club in West Hartford starting at 4:30 pm. Proceeds from this event support the mission and vision of Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation.

From the Run for the Roses through October there will be a plethora of tours and events to partake in at Cedar Hill. On Saturday, May 10, for instance, join author Rudy Favretti as he explains the components of the American rural cemetery movement and Jacob Weidenmann’s interpretation of it at Cedar Hill. During this hour-long tour, attendees will learn about Cedar Hill's exquisite landscape. Other events in May include a bird walk with Jay Kaplan on Saturday, May 17 at 6:30 am, Cedar Hill's Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony on Monday, May 24 beginning at 10:00 am, and a Notable Tree Tour with Ed Richardson on Saturday, May 31 at 10:00 am.

Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation's complete 2008 Tours and Events calendar will be available in March. For tour and event information including fees, visit Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation's blog often and visit Cedar Hill Cemetery & Foundation's website at http://www.cedarhillcemetery.org/ We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events.

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!

Armsmear Affair Photo Gallery

To view the photo gallery of Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation's Colt's Home for the Holidays: A Cedar Hill Affair at Armsmear presented by UHY LLP, please click on the link from Cedar Hill Cemetery & Foundation's homepage at http://www.cedarhillcemetery.org/.

Get Your Tickets Today

It's official - the holiday season is here!! Thanksgiving has come and gone, I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas is playing on the radio, gift shopping is in full swing and holiday decorations are making their way to front lawns. With the holidays upon us, don't miss your opportunity to join us for Colt's Home for the Holidays: A Cedar Hill Affair at Armsmear presented by UHY LLP. Tour the historic home of Samuel and Elizabeth Colt as you enjoy hors d'oeuvres, seasonal beverages and live music. This event is sure to be a unique and festive start to your holiday season.

Colt’s Home for the Holidays:
A Cedar Hill Affair at Armsmear presented by UHY LLP
Saturday, December 1, 2007
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Armsmear, 80 Wethersfield Avenue, Hartford

Tickets are $125 and are still available

by calling 860-956-3311, ext. 13.

All proceeds benefit Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation and will be restricted for the restoration of the Colt Family Memorial at Hartford's historic Cedar Hill Cemetery.

WFSB's Jessica Schneider Talks Colt

Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation's Development Director Wendi Fralick sat with Jessica Schneider Saturday morning on WFSB's morning news to discuss Colt's Home for the Holidays. Less than two weeks away, time is running out for you to be a part of this unique event. Festivities at Samuel and Elizabeth Colt's historic home will begin on Saturday, December 1st at 5:00 pm with self-guided tours of the historic home, heavy hors d'oeuvres, seasonal beverages, and live music. Tickets are still available for $125. A portion of each ticket is tax-deductible and all proceeds support Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation and will be restricted for the restoration of the Colt Family Memorial at Hartford's historic Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Seeing this as a unique opportunity for the public, Jessica invited Wendi to share the details of Colt's Home for the Holidays with their viewing audience. If you would like to attend Colt's Home for the Holidays email info@cedarhillcemetery.org or call 860-956-3311 and ask for Wendi. We hope to hear from you soon!

Tickets Still Available

Tickets are still available for Colt's Home for the Holidays: A Cedar Hill Affair at Armsmear presented by UHY LLP December 1, 2007 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Don't miss out on this rare opportunity to tour Samuel and Elizabeth Colt's historic home. Decorated for the holidays in Victorian-era style, attendees can take self-guided tours of the formal living room, Samuel Colt's study, and the picture-filled halls. As you tour, enjoy a variety of hors d'oeuvres, including shrimp cocktail, hand-carved New York sirloin and hickory-smoked turkey breast, and an assortment of desserts. Grab a drink at the beverage bar where, in addition to wine, you can really celebrate the spirit of the holiday season with a glass of egg nog or hot apple cider - with or without the spiced rum! When your tour is complete, talk with friends as you gather around the piano to listen to festive music in the formal living room.

This unique event will surely be an incomparable start to your holiday season. Purchase your tickets today by calling 860-956-3311, ext. 13 or email wfralick@cedarhillcemetery.org. Tickets are available for $125 per person and all proceeds benefit Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation and will be restricted for the restoration of the Colt Memorial at Hartford's historic Cedar Hill Cemetery. A portion of each ticket is tax deductible.

We look forward to seeing you December 1st!

Cedar Hill's 2007 Tours and Events Season is over. We appreciate everyone who came out to support us and partake in the various events, including Jay Kaplan's Bird Walk, Ed Richardson's Tree Tour, Kandie Carle's Victorian Lady, Ruth Brown's Symbolism Tour, Grace Park Mitchell's Exceptional Women Tour, and Steve Courtney's Twain's Companians and Cohorts Tour. We also want to thank all our volunteers who contributed to making this year a success.

While the tours and events season is over, the Foundation is hosting Colt's Home for the Holidays: A Cedar Hill Affair at Armsmear on Saturday, December 1st from 5:00pm until 8:00pm. Tickets for this unique event are $125 per person and proceeds will support the restoration of the Colt memorial at Hartford's historic Cedar Hill Cemetery. We hope you will join us.

Again, thank you for another wonderful season, and we look forward to seeing you at Cedar Hill soon.

What's New?

It's hard to believe that August is already here. With summer half over, Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation is preparing for the arrival of fall with several projects in place. The first project is the restoration of the Oswin Welles memorial on Section 1. Erected in 1873 and designed by 19th century sculptor Carl Conrads, the monument is in desperate need of restoration. ConservArt, a monument restoration company located in Hamden, Connecticut, will be providing the restoration services for the Welles memorial. The Foundation has received financial support from the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism's Historic Preservation Fund to assist with the cost of the work. Unrestricted donations to the Foundation will be used to cover the remaining costs.

Within the next week, Cedar Hill's entryway gates will be removed to undergo restoration work as well. For nearly 120 years, the gates have welcomed residents and visitors to the Cemetery's grounds. They are the Cemetery's most distinctive feature and symbolize Cedar Hill's commitment to caring for and protecting all who pass through. By restoring the entryway gates, Cedar Hill benefits from being able to preserve a piece of Hartford's architectural history and the community benefits from a beautiful, well-kept sanctuary to remember loved ones and tour the grounds. The Foundation has received several individual donations as well as support from the Ensworth Charitable Foundation to restore the gates, however, we are still actively fund raising for this costly project and welcome your support.

Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation, in cooperation with Wesleyan University Press, has published its first book, Jacob Weidenmann, Pioneer Landscape Architect. Written by Professor Emeritus, Rudy J. Favretti, University of Connecticut, this book shares the life and accomplishments of landscape architect Jacob Weidenmann. Weidenmann designed Cedar Hill Cemetery's landscape, served as Cedar Hill's first superintendent, and now resides at Cedar Hill Cemetery for eternity. Books will be available for purchase in September but can be reserved now by contacting Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation.

In addition to these projects, Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation has several tours and events coming in the near future. You can find the complete listing in the scroll bar on the right. We hope to see you there!