CT Ghosts and Mediumship 101 this Saturday!

Join us this Saturday, September 20, at 10:00 am for Connecticut Ghosts and Mediumship 101. Elaine Kuzmeskus, director of the New England School of Metaphysics and author of Connecticut Ghosts and Séance 101, will share her experiences with the paranormal while doing research for her book Connecticut Ghosts. She will also demonstrate Mediumship and answer audience questions. This event will take place on Section 2 at the Colt monument and is $5.00 for CHCF Members and $8.00 for nonmembers. Reservations are highly recommended but not required. To make reservations, please call 860-956-3311.

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.

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.

Last day for Early Bird Special

Today is the last day for members to take advantage of the members-only, early bird special for discounted Run for the Roses tickets. Members sending in their checks today can purchase tickets for $100 each. After today, all individual tickets can be purchased through April 25th for $125 each. A table of ten can be purchased for $1,000.

You don't want to miss this event! Cheer on your favorite Kentucky Derby contender as you enjoy hors d'oeuvres, cocktails - including mint juleps, and a silent auction. Following the race, you will enjoy dinner and live music by pianist Jeff Wieselberg. Jeff will turn the Hartford Golf Club into an exciting piano bar as he plays your requests. Joe D'Ambrosio, WTIC radio personality, Voice of the UConn Huskies and friend of Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation, will be our emcee for the evening. Bring your friends for what promises to be a good time for all. Tickets are selling fast - don't miss out!

The Run for the Roses will be held on Saturday, May 3 at the Hartford Golf Club in West Hartford, Connecticut. 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.

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!

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.

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!

Cedar Hill Welcomes Winter Visitors

While Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation's 2007 Tours and Events Season has come to a conclusion, visitors are still welcome to come tour Cedar Hill's expansive and impressive grounds. Since walking in the snowy, cold weather may not appeal to you, we invite you to tour the grounds from the warmth and comfort of your vehicle.

As with every season, winter is a wonderful time at Cedar Hill Cemetery. The memorial grounds are veiled by untouched snow, memorial artworks peer through their white blankets, and the trees are trimmed with glistening snow and ice. It's truly 270 acres of a winter wonderland.

Cedar Hill Cemetery is open from sunrise to sunset. However, we ask that you give our staff time to plow the roads and make the Cemetery safe for your visit after snow falls.

CHC&F Home Page gets a Face Lift

We are continuously working to make Cedar Hill Cemetery & Foundation information easily accessible to the general public. We recently updated our website home page in order to make navigating the site easier for visitors. Such updates include moving the site navigation buttons from the bottom of the page to the top, adding "quick link" buttons to the right of the page to easily guide visitors to frequently searched for information, and including a section at the bottom of the page for Cemetery & Foundation announcements that you may find interesting and useful. To check out our new look, visit www.cedarhillcemetery.com.

If you have suggestions about how we can improve the Cedar Hill Cemetery & Foundation website, please email your comments to info@cedarhillcemetery.org. Thank you for your assistance in serving you better.

Colt's Home for the Holidays a Wonderful Event

Colt's Home for the Holidays was an overwhelming success. Attendees enjoyed touring Samuel and Elizabeth Colt's historic home, music filled the normally quiet halls, groups gathered to toast to the holiday season, exquisite food was available at every corner, and the evening concluded with guests coming together to sing holiday carols. As expected, it was a truly festive event and an incomparable start to the holiday season.

Beyond guests enjoying the Armsmear affair, the event was also successful in launching the Colt Memorial Restoration Campaign. All proceeds from the event will be restricted for the restoration of the Colt Memorial at Hartford's historic Cedar Hill Cemetery. We are hopeful that we can now leverage additional support from foundations and companies who recognize the importance of preserving Hartford's history.

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to UHY LLP who was the presenting sponsor for this event. Their support and their commitment to preserving this important piece of Hartford's history is greatly appreciated. To learn more about UHY LLP visit http://www.uhy-us.com/.

We would also like to thank the Trustees, staff and residents of Armsmear. Since Armsmear is a private residence, we are grateful to them for opening their doors to us for this unique and spectacular event. We would also like to thank Colt's Manufacturing for donating $2,500 to support this project and the Colt Collectors Association for pledging an additional $2,500.

Finally, we would like to thank Aetna Foundation who supported Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation this year through a 2007 Tours and Events Sponsorship. Aetna Foundation's ongoing support ensures that we can continue to offer educational tours and events to the community in order to share Cedar Hill's rich history and the significant stories of those residing here in eternity.

We thank everyone who attended this event for your support, and we hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday season.

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.

Happy Thanksgiving

The Board and staff of Cedar Hill Cemetery & Foundation would like to wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving. Respond to the blog and tell us what you are thankful for this year.

We also invite you to bring your friends and family to Cedar Hill over the long weekend to visit loved ones and tour the grounds. The Cemetery office will be closed Thanksgiving Day but will reopen Friday.

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!

Welles Restoration Completed

Restoration of the Oswin Welles monument on Section 1 at Hartford's historic Cedar Hill Cemetery was recently completed. ConservArt, LLC completed the restoration work in a little more than two weeks and the resulting monument is simply stunning.

Prior to the restoration, the sculpture's beauty was obscured by discoloration and streaks. Now, not only does her beauty shine, but her amazing details are evident. The creases in her dress fall ever so gently, her hair flows effortlessly down her back, and her face conveys a peaceful thoughtfulness as she looks down from her perch.

If you have not yet been to Cedar Hill to visit this restored monument, we invite you to come see for yourself how stunning this piece is. She is truly a piece of art, and the Foundation is grateful to have the opportunity to preserve and protect her in perpetuity.

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.

The History of Labor Day

When you think about Labor Day, what comes to mind? Do you think of summer’s end? Fall’s approach? Another school year? Vacations past? The history of Labor Day?

Under the assumption that many people don’t think about the history of Labor Day when they think about the holiday, we thought it would be nice to take a moment to share the history. According to the United States Department of Labor, Labor Day is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It is one day during the year paying tribute to American workers who have contributed to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country.

While Labor Day is more than 100 years old, the question of who proposed Labor Day has never been definitively answered. Some records indicate Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, and Matthew McGuire, secretary of the Central Labor Union, have each been connected in some way with this tribute to American workers.

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882 in New York City and was planned and attended by the Central Labor Union as a demonstration and picnic. The Central Labor Union held the second Labor Day on Wednesday, September 5, 1883. In 1884, the Central Labor Union adopted the first Monday in September as the official Labor Day holiday and urged similar organizations in other cities to follow their example in promoting a “workingman’s holiday.” With labor unions across the country supporting this idea, Labor Day was honored in many industrial centers in 1885.

Over the next decade, several states, including Connecticut, passed legislation recognizing Labor Day as a holiday. On June 28, 1894, the United States Congress followed suit by passing an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal national holiday. This year, in addition to the many things that Labor Day signifies for you, remember that this is the only day during the year created to pay tribute to America’s working men and women. We hope you take advantage of this day by enjoying a safe and relaxing weekend. Happy Labor Day!