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.

Have you heard about the Hartford Bicycling and Walking Tour? On Saturday, September 8, 1,000 bikers are expected to participate in a 10-mile bike tour introducing riders to some of Hartford's historical sites and attractions. Some of the highlighted sites include the Colt redevelopment area, the Connecticut Creative Store, Hartford Hospital, Trinity College, including its new Community Skating Rink, and our very own Cedar Hill Cemetery.

For those wanting to do more, a 25-mile tour will also be offered and includes sites such as Mark Twain's House, Elizabeth Park, and the newly completed Riverfront walkway.

For those individuals not interested in biking but interested in participating, you can take advantage of the walking tour, which will start at Bushnell Park and end at the Colt Complex. Like the bike tours, the walking tour will include several sites of interest along the way.

The Hartford Bike and Walking Tour is a great way to participate in a local event designed to educate you about Hartford history and sites of interest. For more information about this event or to register online, visit www.hartfordbiketour.org. We look forward to seeing you riding through Cedar Hill on Saturday morning!

Tell Us What you Love about Cedar Hill Cemetery

People tell us all the time how much they love Cedar Hill Cemetery. Some love it because it offers a peaceful, beautiful place to remember their loved ones while others enjoy the convenience of escaping the hustle and bustle of every day life in a place that is welcoming and serene. There are many other people who have fond memories of Cedar Hill Cemetery from their youth. Some would come with their families on a sunny Sunday afternoon to picnic on the grounds while others remember fishing in Lyn Mawr or sledding down vacant, snow-covered hills. And still others love to come to Cedar Hill to birdwatch, study the trees, paint the surroundings, bike the winding roads, walk the rolling hills, and meditate in a private corner. We welcome all who want to come and enjoy Cedar Hill Cemetery while being respectful of this unique place of remembrance.

We encourage you to share your stories about why you love Cedar Hill Cemetery. Simply click on the "comment" button below and tell us why you love Cedar Hill Cemetery. We may use your comment in a future Cedar Hill Cemetery & Foundation publication. We look forward to hearing from you!

Cedar Hill's Twilight Tour is on the Horizon

More than 30 people attended Saturday's Symbols in Stone tour with Ruth Brown, executive director of the Connecticut Gravestone Network. It was a perfect day for a Cedar Hill tour, and we sincerely appreciate so many people coming out to learn more about memorial art.

Our next tour is scheduled for Thursday, August 23 at 7:00pm. During this twilight tour, participants will have the opportunity to learn more about some of Hartford's most notable residents, including Samuel and Elizabeth Colt, Isabella Beecher Hooker, General Griffin Stedman, and Dr. Horace Wells, as the sun sets beyond the cemetery grounds. This is sure to be an educational and beautful tour that you don't want to miss. We hope to see you there.

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.