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.

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.

Cedar Hill's Historic Gates are Leaving the Station

Having welcomed residents and visitors to Cedar Hill Cemetery for nearly 120 years, Cedar Hill's historic entryway gates are leaving their station at the Cemetery's entryway to be restored. The Cassidy's, from Cassidy and Bros., are expected to arrive today to remove the gates and transport them to their foundry in Rowley, Massachusetts.

Erected in 1888, the gates are an impressive example of iron wrought on so large a scale. Containing no cast work, the gates' intricate leaf-design was wrought entirely by hand with hammer and anvil. The restoration will include replacing all missing and broken pieces with hand-forged replicas, repairing and refitting the hinges and latches, removing the soil and harmful deposits, painting them their originally-intended color - black, and hot-dip galvanizing, which is intended to preserve the gates for a longer period of time.

In accordance with its mission to preserve and protect the art and history at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation sees this as a fitting and important project. It is our hope that once restored, the gates will continue to welcome residents and visitors to Hartford's historic Cedar Hill Cemetery for another 120 years. We look forward to opening the newly restored gates for you upon their return in the fall.