RI Cemetery Weeks Calendar In April-May 2022, the RI Advisory Commission on Historical Cemeteries and the RI Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission presented RI Historical Cemeteries Awareness and Preservation Weeks. Participants learned about Rhode Island’s historic cemeteries and burial grounds through clean-ups, tours, open houses, gravestone conservation workshops, and other programs. All events were free and open to the public. Click the + for event details. Events are also posted by community at RIACHC's website. Sat April 2 Clean-up | Wilson Family Cemetery, Coventry April 2, 10am Wilson Family Cemetery, 2750 Harkney Hill Rd, Coventry Join volunteers for a clean-up. Back-up site Obadiah Johnson Lot, side street at Pole 126, Harkney Hill Rd. Rain date 4/3 @10am Contact: Charles Vacca coventrycemeteries@gmail.com Sat April 2 Clean-up | Amos Whitford Lot, Exeter Sat April 2, 9am Amos Whitford Lot, Off Rt 102 (behind Exeter Library/Chapel), Exeter Join volunteers to clean up the cemetery and lift sunken headstones. Contact: Dory Wagner dorwagg@aol.com Sat April 2 Tour | Trinity Church Graveyard, Newport Sat April 2 (and Saturdays), 1pm Trinity Church Graveyard, Corner Spring/Church sts, Newport Most of Trinity Churchyard’s 250 graves date to the 18th century, representing the fine work of stone carvers from the John Stevens Shop (still in operation today) and John Bull. If you miss the cemetery tour, you can visit the church 10am-4pm Saturdays. Tour limit: 8. https://www.trinitynewport.org/ Contact: TrinityTours100@gmail.com Sat April 2 Clean-up | Major Adams Lot, South Kingstown April 2, 10am Major Adams Lot, 390’ east of North Rd at pole #988, South Kingstown Join volunteers from South Kingstown Cemetery Commission and Narragansett Cooke Gaspee Chapter of DAR for a clean-up. Contact: Russell Dinoto russell.dinoto@hotmail.com Tues April 5 Tour | Norman Bird Sanctuary, Middletown April 5, 10am Norman Bird Sanctuary 583 3rd Beach Rd, Middletown Join naturalist Jay Manning for a Birds and Burials walking tour. Visit the Norman Bird Sanctuary’s three burying grounds to learn about their history and take in the sights and sounds of the Sanctuary’s spring birds. https://www.normanbirdsanctuary.org Rain date April 8; repeats April 25 Thurs April 7 Clean-up/gravestone repairs | Enoch Steere Lot, Glocester Thurs April 7, 10am Enoch Steere Lot, Glocester Join the Glocester Historical Cemeteries Committee for their weekly clean-ups and gravestone repairs. April 7 at Enoch Steere; contact Bill for upcoming locations (week by week). Contact: Bill Brown billbrown8686@gmail.com Sat April 9 Clean-up/conservation/cleaning demo | Riverside Cemetery, Burrillville Sat April 9, 8am Riverside Cemetery, Callahan School St, Burrillville Burrillville Historical & Preservation Society hosts a clean-up, gravestone conservation demonstration, and stone cleaning information. Contact Betty Mencucci bmencucci@verizon.net, Ron Lapierre rplapierre@aol.com Sat April 9 Tour | Trinity Church Graveyard, Newport Sat April 9 (and Saturdays), 1pm Trinity Church Graveyard, Corner Spring/Church sts, Newport Most of Trinity Churchyard’s 250 graves date to the 18th century, representing the fine work of stone carvers from the John Stevens Shop (still in operation today) and John Bull. If you miss the cemetery tour, you can visit the church 10am-4pm Saturdays. Tour limit: 8. https://www.trinitynewport.org/ Contact: TrinityTours100@gmail.com Sat April 9 Open studio | Karin Sprague Stone Carvers, Scituate April 9, 10am - noon Karin Sprague Stone Carvers 904 Tourtellot Hill Road, North Scituate Karin Sprague will host an open studio in the space where she designs and carves gravestones by hand. Spaces are limited and reservations are required: call 401-934-3105. www.karinsprague.com Sat April 9 Clean-up | Champlin Church Lot, Charlestown April 9, 9am - noon Champlin Church lot, 200’ SE of Post Rd/Rt 1 on Ninigret Wildlife Refuge, Charlestown Join volunteers to clean up this cemetery. Contact Pam Lyons pam@oceanhousemarina.com, Susan Angelo susan1angelo@icloud.com Sat April 9 Tour | Maple Root Cemetery, Coventry April 9, 10am Maple Root Cemetery, opposite 150 Harkney Hill Rd, Coventry Pawtuxet Valley Historical and Preservation Society presents a walking tour focused on the evolution and symbolism of gravestones, as well as some interesting people. Rain date 4/10 Contact: Charlie Vacca coventrycemeteries@gmail.com Tues April 12 Tour | North Burial Ground, Providence April 12, 5pm North Burial Ground 5 Branch Ave, Providence Meet at Rochambeau Gate (near corner of North Main St/Rochambeau Ave) Join Director Annalisa Heppner for a walking tour featuring some of North Burial Ground’s most noteworthy interments—Rhode Islanders who “Dared to Live Different” and defied norms of their time to make an impact on history. Meet artists, circus performers, suffragettes, philanthropists and more! https://www.providenceri.gov/providence-parks/north-burial-ground/ Limit: tbd Weds April 13 Presentation | Newport Public Library April 13, 6pm Newport Public Library 300 Spring St, Newport Season kick-off presentation: Lew Keen will share the Newport Cemetery Commission’s work in 2021 and preview events scheduled for 2022. Featuring a tribute to Judah Touro. Contact: ntphistoriccemeteries@gmail.com Sat April 16 Clean-up | Ladd School residents lot (RI Veterans Cemetery), Exeter April 16, 9am Ladd School residents lot at RI Veterans Cemetery, 301 South County Tr, Exeter Volunteers will clean Ladd School headstones inside RI Veterans Cemetery. Contact: Dory Wagner dorwagg@aol.com Sat April 16 Clean-up | Asaph Wilder Cemetery, Glocester April 16, 10am-1pm Asaph Wilder Cemetery, 190 Joe Sarle Rd, Glocester Join members of the Glocester Conservation Commission to clean up this rural cemetery. Contact Roy Najecki Roy@Najecki.com Sat April 16 Tour | Trinity Church Graveyard, Newport Sat April 16 (and Saturdays), 1pm Trinity Church Graveyard, Corner Spring/Church sts, Newport Most of Trinity Churchyard’s 250 graves date to the 18th century, representing the fine work of stone carvers from the John Stevens Shop (still in operation today) and John Bull. If you miss the cemetery tour, you can visit the church 10am-4pm Saturdays. Tour limit: 8. https://www.trinitynewport.org/ Contact: TrinityTours100@gmail.com Sat April 16 Tour | Elm Grove Cemetery, North Kingstown April 16, 10am Elm Grove Cemetery 960 Tower Hill Rd, North Kingstown North Kingstown Town Historian Tim Cranston will lead a walking tour of a cemetery that contains relocated burials spanning three centuries. Learn about the folks who made Wickford, tales of mariners and farmers, and North Kingstown’s unique connection to the movie “12 Years a Slave.” Sponsored by Historic Wickford, Inc. https://histwick.org/ Meet at Cranston family plot near southernmost entrance. Limit: 40 Sat April 16 Clean-up | Hotchkiss Cemetery, North Smithfield April 16, 9:30am Hotchkiss Cemetery (next to Union Cemetery/opposite 108 Smithfield Rd), North Smithfield Join volunteers for a clean-up and gravestone cleaning demonstration Contact: Rich Keene rfkeene6@gmail.com, Denis Chamberland denis.p.chamberland@gmail.com Sat April 16 Clean-up | Gardner Tefft Lot/Joshua Tefft Lot, South Kingstown Saturday April 16, 11am Gardner Tefft Lot/Joshua Tefft Lot,,Tefft Historical Park, off Berry Lane, South Kingstown Join DAR and other volunteers to clean up these two burying grounds. Gardner Tefft served in the Revolutionary War as a member of the Kingston Reds, and Joshua Tefft is believed to be the last person hanged, drawn, and quartered on American soil. Contact Russell Dinoto russell.dinoto@hotmail.com Weds April 20 Tour | Swan Point Cemetery, Providence Weds April 20, 1-3pm Swan Point Cemetery 585 Blackstone Blvd, Providence Historic War Veterans Walk with William Caldwell. Meet outside Main office (parking available). https://swanpointcemetery.com/ Limit: 40 Registration required: anitav@swanpoint1846.com Fri April 22 Tour | God’s Little Acre, Newport Fri April 22, 3pm God’s Little Acre at Common Burying Ground, Farewell St, Newport Historian Keith Stokes will lead a walking tour of God’s Little Acre, the nation’s oldest documented and extant burying ground for people of African heritage. Its many 18th- and early 19th-century gravestones illustrate the creative survival of Africans and African Americans in colonial Newport. https://www.colonialcemetery.com/ Limit: 20 | Registration required: npthistoriccemeteries@gmail.com Sat April 23 Clean-up | Cedar Lot, Johnston Sat April 23, 9am-noon Cedar Lot, George Waterman Ave/Vacca St, Johnston Join volunteers for a clean-up. Sponsored by Johnston Historical Society. Contact Steve Merolla SMerolla1@cox.net Elise Carlson wardenclyffe@cox.net Sat April 23 Clean-up | Common Burying Ground, Newport April 23, 11am Common Burying Ground Farewell St, Newport Cemetery clean-up. Join volunteers to clear vines, leaves, branches, and debris. Wear a mask, and BYO gloves. City will provide tools or BYO. Registration required: npthistoriccemeteries@gmail.com Sat April 23 Tour | Trinity Church Graveyard, Newport Sat April 23 (and Saturdays), 1pm Trinity Church Graveyard, Corner Spring/Church sts, Newport Most of Trinity Churchyard’s 250 graves date to the 18th century, representing the fine work of stone carvers from the John Stevens Shop (still in operation today) and John Bull. If you miss the cemetery tour, you can visit the church 10am-4pm Saturdays. Tour limit: 8. https://www.trinitynewport.org/ Contact: TrinityTours100@gmail.com Sat April 23 Clean-up | Elm Grove Cemetery, North Kingstown Sat April 23, 10am-12:30pm Elm Grove Cemetery, 960 Tower Hill Rd, North Kingstown Join volunteers for a clean-up to include trimming grass around the gravestones. Please bring rakes, shears, and gloves. Refreshments will be served. Sponsored by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Contact Jennifer Coates jbcoates925@hotmail.com Sat April 23 Tour | North Burial Ground, Providence April 23, 1:30pm North Burial Ground 5 Branch Ave Providence Public Historians Traci Picard and Bridget Hall will lead a tour of the Free Grounds area at North Burial Ground. Participants will discuss free burial in Providence, the politics of memory, and the ethics of studying potter’s fields and other free burial areas. Meet at the bridge which crosses the Blackstone Canal--see map https://thefreegrounds.squarespace.com Sat April 23 Clean-up | Conservation Cabin, Smithfield Sat April 23, 9am Conservation Cabin (behind police station), 125 Pleasant View Ave, Smithfield Join volunteers to continue their perpetual care program and clean-ups every other Saturday morning. Contact: Skip Tuetken friendsofsmithfieldcemeteries@gmail.com Sat April 23 Clean-up | Old Lake Cemetery, Tiverton April 23, 1-4pm Old Lake Cemetery, Furey Ave, Tiverton Join volunteers for a clean-up. BYO gloves and briar/vine cutting tools. Rain date 4/30. Contact: Jim Spears jim.spears.@cox.net Sat April 23 Clean-up | North Burial Ground, Warren Sat April 23 Clean-up, 9:30am North Burial Ground, North Main St, Warren Join volunteers for an Earth Day Clean-up. Contact: 401-245-5431 or 401-556-5951 Sat April 23 Clean-up | Brayton Cemetery, Warwick April 23, 9-11:30am Brayton Cemetery 3468 Post Rd, Warwick Join volunteers for a clean-up. Contact: Pegee Malcolm pmalcolm@cox.net. Sat April 23 Clean-up | Midville Golf Club, West Warwick April 23 9am Midville Golf Club, Wakefield St, West Warwick BYO rakes and tools and friends to clean up this long-neglected cemetery. Contact: Charles Vacca coventrycemeteries@gmail.com Sat April 23 Clean-up | Bernon Cemetery, Woonsocket April 23 Clean-up Bernon Cemetery, 99 Logee St, Woonsocket Join volunteers for a clean-up. Wear long pants, long sleeves, and gloves. Sponsored by Woonsocket Historical Society. Contact: Greg Duhamel grizroots401@gmail.com Sun April 24 Clean-up | Israel Lewis Cemetery, Richmond April 24, 12pm Israel Lewis Cemetery Richmond Join volunteers for a clean-up. Meet: I-95/Rt. 138 Park + Ride. Contact: Dory Wagner dorwagg@aol.com Sun April 24 Open House | River Bend Cemetery, Westerly April 24, 2pm River Bend Cemetery 117 Beach St Westerly River Bend Cemetery (1849) will host an Open House, welcoming visitors to the newly-renovated office (1901). Volunteers from Babcock-Smith House will give walking tours of select Westerly granite monuments and host a sale of maps, books, and DVDs. Refreshments. https://riverbendcemetery.org/ | https://www.babcocksmithhouse.org/ Rain date: May 1 Mon April 25 Tour | Norman Bird Sanctuary, Middletown April 25, 10am Norman Bird Sanctuary 583 3rd Beach Rd, Middletown Join naturalist Jay Manning for a Birds and Burials walking tour. Visit the Norman Bird Sanctuary’s three burying grounds to learn about their history and take in the sights and sounds of the Sanctuary’s spring birds. https://www.normanbirdsanctuary.org Rain date April 28. Weds April 27 Presentation | Scituate Preservation Society, Scituate April 27, 7pm Scituate Preservation Society 706 Hartford Pike Scituate Archaeologist Kimberly Smith will present a program on historic cemeteries. https://www.facebook.com/ScituatePreservation/ Sat April 30 Tour | North Burial Ground, Bristol Sat April 30, 10am North Burial Ground, 1081 Hope St, Bristol Celebrate North Burial Ground’s 200th anniversary with a walking tour, featuring the rural cemetery, its ancient headstones and Victorian monuments, and its new 110-tree mini-arboretum. Meet between brick chapel and foot of Civil War monument lawn. Contacts: Charlie Cavalconte ccavalconte@yahoo.com, Carol Gafford nebg02809@yahoo.com Sat April 30 Tour | Coddington Burial Ground, Newport April 30, 11am Coddington Burial Ground, 34 Farewell St, Newport Architectural historian Ron Onorato will lead a walking tour of this small colonial-era burial ground, also known as The Governors’ Burial Ground. Six Rhode Island governors are interred here, more than any other cemetery in the state. Coddington Burial Ground 34 Farewell St, Newport LIMIT: 15 attendees Registration required: npthistoriccemeteries@gmail.com Sat April 30 Clean-up | Island Cemetery, Newport Sat April 30 Clean-up Island Cemetery, 30 Warner St, Newport Join volunteers to clean up Island Cemetery. Contact: info@islandcemetery.com https://www.islandcemeterynewport.com/ Sat April 30 Open House | Belmont Chapel at Island Cemetery, Newport Sat April 30 Open House Belmont Chapel at Island Cemetery, 30 Warner St, Newport Island Cemetery is hosting an Open House, inviting visitors to view the ongoing restoration of Belmont Chapel. www.belmontchapelfoundation.org Sat April 30 Tour | Trinity Church Graveyard, Newport Sat April 30 (and Saturdays), 1pm Trinity Church Graveyard, Corner Spring/Church sts, Newport Most of Trinity Churchyard’s 250 graves date to the 18th century, representing the fine work of stone carvers from the John Stevens Shop (still in operation today) and John Bull. If you miss the cemetery tour, you can visit the church 10am-4pm Saturdays. Tour limit: 8. https://www.trinitynewport.org/ Contact: TrinityTours100@gmail.com Sat April 30 Tour | six cemeteries, North Kingstown April 30, 10am 121 West Main St, North Kingstown Tim Cranston will lead a six-cemetery walking tour of Cooper-Whitford Lot, Old Narragansett Cemetery, Fowler-Weeden-Wightman Lot, Eliphalet Young Lot, Quaker Meeting House Lot, and Wall/Llufrio Lot. Sponsored by Daffodil Days in Wickford Village https://wickfordvillage.org/ Limit: 30 Contact: Tim Cranston gcranston@northkingstown.org Sat April 30 Tour | Mineral Spring Cemetery, Pawtucket April 30, 10:30am Mineral Spring Cemetery 4815 Mineral Spring Ave Pawtucket The Heritage Alliance of Pawtucket and Public Archaeology Laboratory invite you to discover the history of this 18th-century cemetery and “meet” its residents, including prominent Pawtucket citizens and veterans of the Revolutionary War and Civil War. Also learn how ground penetrating radar was used to find unmarked graves in the cemetery. https://www.heritagepawtucket.org/ | https://www.palinc.com/ Limit: 20 Sat April 30 Clean-up | Tillinghast Burial Ground, Providence Sat April 30, 10am Tillinghast Burial Ground 398 Benefit St, Providence Before Benefit Street was laid out in the 1700s, Providence was peppered with small family burial grounds. Join volunteers for a clean-up at the last survivor: Tillinghast Burial Ground. A short history of the site will be available. https://www.tillinghastsociety.org/ Contact: Bruce Tillinghast: wbt213@gmail.com Sat April 30 Monument repair demonstration | Rice Cemetery, West Warwick April 30, 10am Rice Cemetery, 58 Tiogue Ave (behind Plaza Esperanza), West Warwick Monument repair demonstration led by volunteers. Rain date May 1. Contact: Charles Vacca coventrycemeteries@gmail.com Sat April 30 Clean-up/demonstration | James Babcock Grounds, Westerly Sat April 30 Clean-up/demonstration James Babcock Grounds, next to 42 Watch Hill Rd, Westerly Lawrence Hunter will lead the Phebe Greene Ward DAR Chapter in a clean-up and demonstrate gravestone cleaning. Bring your work gloves, rakes, a kneeling pad or short stool. Contact: Lawrence Hunter Lphunter55@yahoo.com Sat April 30 Tour | Bernon Cemetery, Woonsocket April 30, 10am Bernon Cemetery, 99 Logee St, Woonsocket Greg Duhamel leads a walking tour. Co-sponsored by Woonsocket Historical Society and Blackstone Valley Historical Society. Contact: Greg Duhamel grizroots401@gmail.com April Exhibit | JNB Center Providence April 2022 John Nicholas Brown Center for Public Humanities & Cultural Heritage, 357 Benefit St, Providence On exhibit: Memoria: Care Work and Memory in the Free Burial Ground. This installation honors the memory of the residents of the Potter’s Field and Free Ground at Providence’s North Burial Ground. https://events.brown.edu/jnbc/event/227277-public-humanities-lab-memoria-care-work-and MAY Sun May 1 Tour | Sayles Cook Cemetery, Burrillville Sun May 1, 1pm Sayles Cook Cemetery, High St, Burrillville Burrillville Historical & Preservation Society presents a tour featuring the history of the nearby mill and the mill owners buried in the cemetery, as well as a discussion of conservation projects. Contact Betty Mencucci bmencucci@verizon.net, Ron Lapierre rplapierre@aol.com Sun May 1 Hike | Queen's River Preserve, Exeter May 1, 2pm Queen's River Preserve, 40 School Landwoods Rd, Exeter (park here) Take an easy 3-4 mile hike to 5 historic cemeteries on the edges of the RI Veterans Cemetery. Spot homestead cellar holes and the Queen's River. No dogs allowed. Contact: Dory Wagner, dorwagg@aol.com Sun May 1 Docent Interest Meeting | North Burial Ground, Providence May 1, 7pm Docent Interest Meeting North Burial Ground 5 Branch Ave Providence Join NBG Director Annalisa Heppner to learn about how to get more involved at North Burial Ground, have some snacks, hear from folks who are already involved with the cemetery about their interests in NBG. RSVP at fb.me/e/1I99uCjGc or email northburialground@providenceri.gov https://www.providenceri.gov/providence-parks/north-burial-ground/ Sun May 1 Hike | Carolina Management Area, Richmond May 1, 9:30am Carolina Management Area, Pine Hill Rd, Richmond Take an easy 3.5 mile hike to visit 3 cemeteries in the Carolina Management Area and encounter wildflowers, wildlife, open fields, forests, and old homestead cellar holes. From Rt. 12, meet at parking area on south side of Pine Hill Rd near DEM building, just east of meadow brook bridge. Contact: Dory Wagner dorwagg@aol.com Sun May 1 Tour | Burr’s Hill Park, Warren May 1, 2pm Burr’s Hill Park 540 Water St Warren Meet at the historic marker across from Town Beach. Dave Weed of the Sowams Heritage Area Project will lead a walk at the site of a 15th-century royal Pokanoket burial ground. https://sowamsheritagearea.org/wp Sun May 1 Clean-up | Sheffield Lot, Westerly Sun, May 1, 10am Sheffield Lot 132 Watch Hill Rd, Westerly Join Larry Hunter and volunteers from Rediscovering History, Inc to clean up Sheffield Lot. Rediscovering History Inc is a nonprofit group who assisted in the restoration of Babcock Lot (WY05). Limited parking on the roadside. https://rediscovering-history.com/ Contact Larry Hunter lphunter53@yahoo.com Fri May 6 Walk | Locust Grove Cemetery, Providence Fri, May 6, 4-5pm Locust Grove Cemetery, 442 Elmwood Ave, Providence Join Sarah Zurier (RIHPHC) and Caroline Stevens (Doors Open RI) for a walking conversation about Plats, Lots, and Plots at Locust Grove Cemetery. Let's walk and talk about cemeteries as spaces for mourning and remembrance--and real estate and recreation. This is also a program of Jane's Walk Providence. http://www.doorsopenri.org/janeswalk/ Sat May 7 Clean-up/Tour | Newman Cemetery, East Providence Sat May 7, 10am Newman Cemetery Corner of Newman/Pawtucket Aves,East Providence The East Providence Historical Society hosts both a clean-up and a self-guided tour. For the clean-up, please bring a rake and yard bag if possible. For the tour, learn about the rich history of Newman Cemetery and its noteworthy gravestones. Contact: Sandra Turgeon friendsofnewmancemetery@gmail.com Sat May 7 Clean-up/demonstrations | Solomon Drown Cemetery, Foster Sat May 7, tbd Solomon Drown Cemetery, Mt. Hygeia Rd, Foster Foster Preservation Society hosts a clean-up, featuring a demonstration of how to reset a fallen gravestone and how to clean gravestones. Contact FPS fosterfps@msn.com Sat May 7 Gravestone cleaning | Clifton Burying Ground, Newport May 7, 11am Clifton Burying Ground Golden Hill St (behind library) Newport Tucked in just behind the library is a remarkable colonial burial site. Impeccably carved headstones mark the graves of notable Newport residents but many are encrusted with algae and lichens. The City will provide the materials and training to cleane theses stones. Registration required: npthistoriccemeteries@gmail.com Sat May 7 Tour | Trinity Church Graveyard, Newport Sat May 7 (and Saturdays), 1pm Trinity Church Graveyard, Corner Spring/Church sts, Newport Most of Trinity Churchyard’s 250 graves date to the 18th century, representing the fine work of stone carvers from the John Stevens Shop (still in operation today) and John Bull. If you miss the cemetery tour, you can visit the church 10am-4pm Saturdays. Tour limit: 8. https://www.trinitynewport.org/ Contact: TrinityTours100@gmail.com Sat May 7 Tour | Oak Grove Cemetery, Pawtucket May 7, 10:30am Oak Grove Cemetery Cottage St/Central Ave Pawtucket The Heritage Alliance of Pawtucket and Public Archaeology Laboratory invite you to discover the history of this cemetery, established in 1832 and used in ways that might surprise you. Also learn how ground penetrating radar was used to find unmarked graves in the cemetery. https://www.heritagepawtucket.org/ | https://www.palinc.com/ Limit: 20 Sat May 7 Clean-up | Grace Church Cemetery/Trinity Square, Providence Sat May 7, 9am-noon Grace Church Cemetery/Trinity Square 10 Elmwood Ave, Providence Join volunteers for a clean-up at Grace Church Cemetery and Trinity Square. Stick around for the monument cleaning demonstration at 11am. https://www.gracechurchcemeteryri.org/ Sat May 7 Gravestone cleaning demonstration | Grace Church Cemetery, Providence May 7, 11am Grace Church Cemetery 10 Elmwood Ave Providence Learn about the dos and don’ts of historic gravestone cleaning from Dr. Dennis Montagna who leads the Monument Research & Preservation Program for the National Park Service. His recent projects include preservation planning and conservation for sculpture collections at the Gettysburg and Vicksburg Battlefields, and for the Hudson River Valley Greenway. https://www.gracechurchcemeteryri.org/ https://ncptt.nps.gov/blog/tag/dennis-montagna/ Sat May 7 Tour/Scavenger Hunt | North Burial Ground, Providence Sat May 7, 2pm North Burial Ground, 5 Branch Ave, Providence Two students in Brown University's Community Archaeology course will offer a tour of the North Burial Ground, followed by a very exciting scavenger hunt. This is a family-friendly event, and kids between 4th grade and 8th grade are especially encouraged to attend! Meet at Rochambeau Avenue pedestrian gates. Free parking available on North Main Street. Sat May 7 Clean-up | Conservation Cabin, Smithfield Sat May 7, 9am Conservation Cabin (behind police station), 125 Pleasant View Ave, Smithfield Join volunteers to continue their perpetual care program and clean-ups every other Saturday morning. Contact: Skip Tuetken friendsofsmithfieldcemeteries@gmail.com Tues May 10 Tour | St. Columba's Churchyard, Middletown Tues May 10, 1-2:30pm St Columba’s Churchyard 55 Vaucluse Ave Middletown Mary-Louise and Bob Fye will lead a tour of the picturesque, tranquil and tree-studded churchyard and its historically significant gravestones, many of which were carved by the John Stevens Shop. Linger after the tour to visit the 19th-century stone chapel and its important ensemble of opalescent stained glass windows manufactured by Tiffany. Contact: Mary-Louise Fye mlhoward603@gmail.com Weds May 11 Tour | Swan Point Cemetery, Providence Weds May 11, 1-3pm Swan Point Cemetery 585 Blackstone Blvd, Providence Join architect Cornelis J. de Boer AIA for an Architectural Walk of Historic Buildings at Swan Point Cemetery. Meet outside Main office (parking available). https://swanpointcemetery.com/ Limit: 30 Registration required: anitav@swanpoint1846.com Weds May 11 presentation | North Scituate Community House, Scituate May 11, 7pm North Scituate Community House 546 W Greenville Rd, North Scituate Scituate Historic Cemetery Committee presents a program about the Russell Smith Lot, SC015 and the residents buried there. Contact Skye Pechie tmbgambassador@gmail.com Sat May 14 Tour/demos/presentation | Allin Yard, Barrington Sat May 14, 10am-2pm Allin Yard 115 Bay Spring Ave Barrington Barrington Cemetery Commission and Public Archaeology Laboratory will co-host a program to include: gravestone cleaning demonstration by trained volunteers, walking tour, and presentation of cemetery mapping, inventory, and ground-penetrating radar survey work. https://www.barrington.ri.gov/cemeterycomm | https://www.palinc.com/ Limit: 20. Contact: suecherau@cox.net Sat May 14 conservation workshop | Pascoag Cemetery, Burrillville Sat May 14, 9am-4pm Pascoag Cemetery, Cemetery Hill Rd, Burrillville Burrillville Historical & Preservation Society hosts a gravestone conservation workshop. Learn the basics of cleaning, resetting, and repairing gravestones. Contact Betty Mencucci bmencucci@verizon.net, Ron Lapierre rplapierre@aol.com Sat May 14 Clean-up/Tour | Franklin Gardiner Cemetery/Benjamin Stanton Lot, Narragansett Sat May 14, 9am-1pm Franklin-Gardiner Cem/Benj Stanton Lot Near 170 South Ferry Rd, Narragansett Clean-up and a history tour. Bring rakes, gloves, clippers and smiles if you want to help. Refreshments. Rain date May 21. Contact: Michael Millen Sr michaelmillen@hotmail.com Sat May 14 Gravestone Cleaning | Coddington Burial Ground, Newport May 14, 11am Coddington Burial Ground 34 Farewell St Newport Join volunteers to clean gravestones at “The Governors’ Burial Ground.” Many of the slate stones are covered with algae and lichens. The City will provide materials and training. Registration required: npthistoriccemeteries@gmail.com Sat May 14 Tour | Trinity Church Graveyard, Newport Sat May 14 (and Saturdays), 1pm Trinity Church Graveyard, Corner Spring/Church sts, Newport Most of Trinity Churchyard’s 250 graves date to the 18th century, representing the fine work of stone carvers from the John Stevens Shop (still in operation today) and John Bull. If you miss the cemetery tour, you can visit the church 10am-4pm Saturdays. Tour limit: 8. https://www.trinitynewport.org/ Contact: TrinityTours100@gmail.com Sat May 14 Tour | Casey Farm, North Kingstown May 14, 1pm Casey Farm 2325 Boston Neck Rd, North Kingstown meet at Casey Farm Market information table Visit the Silas Casey Burial Ground, where 32 members of the Casey family were interred from the early 18th century through the mid-20th century. The small family burying ground is a significant feature of Casey Farm’s landscape, stewarded and interpreted by Historic New England. https://www.historicnewengland.org/property/casey-farm/ Repeats May 21, May 28 Limit: 40 Sat May 14 Clean-up | Russell Smith Lot, Scituate May 14, 9am - noon Russell Smith Lot 18 Silk Lane, North Scituate Scituate Historic Cemetery Committee hosts a clean-up at the Russell Smith Lot. Sat May 14 Tour | Old Congregational Church Cemetery, Tiverton May 14, 1pm Old Congregational Church Cemetery, Lake Rd, Tiverton Walking tour: this cemetery has the most slate stones of any Tiverton cemetery and includes markers for 16 Revolutionary War veterans and 2 Civil War veterans. Rain date 5/21. Parking available in St. Madeleine's Church lot on Lake Rd, north of the cemetery Contact: Jim Spears jim.spears.@cox.net, Sue Anderson gsriengr@yahoo,com Sat May 14 Scavenger hunt | Brayton Cemetery, Warwick May 14, 1pm Brayton Cemetery 3468 Post Rd Warwick It’s a scavenger hunt! Find 25 items in Brayton Cemetery. At several of the headstones, you’ll also find people talking about residents including Judge Brayton, Thomas Vaill, the Budlong family, circus skinny man, and others. Also watch cleaning demonstrations and learn about headstone symbolism. Contact: Pegee Malcolm pmalcolm@cox.net Sat May 14 Landscape project | Rev. Joseph Park Family Lot, Westerly Sat May 14, 10am Rev Joseph Park Family Lot Betw 342/46 Post Rd (Rt. 1) Westerly Join Larry Hunter and the Westerly Historical Society to create a new entrance to the cemetery from Rt. 1. Contact Larry Hunter lphunter53@yahoo.com Sat May 14 Clean-up | Zebina Cook Lot, Woonsocket May 14, 10am Zebina Cook Lot, rear of Bissonnette Field on Elder Ballou Rd, Woonsocket Join volunteers for a clean-up. Wear long pants, long sleeves, gloves. Contact: Greg Duhamel grizroots401@gmail.com Sun May 15 Tour | North Burial Ground, Providence Sun May 15. 1pm North Burial Ground, 5 Branch Ave, Providence Levi Leland leads a tour of the Friends and Relatives of Sarah Helen Whitman. Many know Sarah Helen Whitman as the brief romantic interest of one of literature's most famous stars, Edgar Allan Poe. On this tour, we will walk through her family tree, visiting her grave as well as the graves of those closest to her, all while learning a little more about one of Providence's most underrated and brilliant residents. Meet in section AA of the cemetery. Enter cemetery from North Main St at Rochambeau pedestrian gate. Parking is available on North Main Street. Contact: levi@edgarallanpoeri.com https://edgarallanpoeri.com/ https://www.providenceri.gov/providence-parks/north-burial-ground/ Sun May 15 Tour | Precious Blood Cemetery, Woonsocket May 15, 10am Precious Blood Cemetery, Rathbun St/Diamond Hill Rd, Woonsocket Join the Woonsocket Historical Society for a walking tour. Contact Irene Blais Iblais198@aol.com Weds May 18 Tour | Swan Point Cemetery, Providence Weds., May 18, 1-3pm Swan Point Cemetery 585 Blackstone Blvd, Providence “If Trees Could Talk.” Swan Point Cemetery’s Director of Horticulture Kelly M. Perry leads a tree walk. Meet outside Main office (parking available). https://swanpointcemetery.com/ Limit: 40 | Registration required: anitav@swanpoint1846.com Sat May 21 Clean-up | Cross Mills Public Burying Ground, Charlestown May 21, 9am-noon Cross Mills Public Burying Ground Old Post Rd, Charlestown Annual clean-up of this public historic burying ground in anticipation of Memorial Day Parade gathering. If time permits, volunteers will tend the General Joseph Stanton monument and cemetery next to Wilcox Tavern. Contact Pam Lyons pam@oceanhousemarina.com, Susan Angelo susan1angelo@icloud.com Sat May 21 Flagging veterans' graves | Maple Root Cemetery, Coventry Sat May 21 Flagging veterans' graves Maple Root Cemetery, Harkney Hill Rd, Coventry Bring yourself and a friend to participate in this longstanding tradition of honoring our veterans. Contact: 401-523-5351 Sat May 21 Clean-up | Pocasset Cemetery, Cranston Sat May 21, 9am Pocasset Cemetery, 417 Dyer Ave, Cranston Cranston Cemetery Commission invites volunteers to a clean-up at Pocasset Cemetery Contact: John Hill jhchcc167@gmail.com Sat May 21 Fence painting project | Common Burying Ground, Newport May 21, 11am Common Burying Ground Warner St entrance Newport Join volunteers to paint fencing at the Arnold Plot. The City will provide paint and brushes. Please wear clothing that can get messy. Registration required: npthistoriccemeteries@gmail.com Sat May 21 Tour | Trinity Church Graveyard, Newport Sat May 21 (and Saturdays), 1pm Trinity Church Graveyard, Corner Spring/Church sts, Newport Most of Trinity Churchyard’s 250 graves date to the 18th century, representing the fine work of stone carvers from the John Stevens Shop (still in operation today) and John Bull. If you miss the cemetery tour, you can visit the church 10am-4pm Saturdays. Tour limit: 8. https://www.trinitynewport.org/ Contact: TrinityTours100@gmail.com Sat May 21 Tour | Casey Farm, North Kingstown May 21, 1pm Casey Farm 2325 Boston Neck Rd, North Kingstown meet at Casey Farm Market information table Visit the Silas Casey Burial Ground, where 32 members of the Casey family were interred from the early 18th century through the mid-20th century. The small family burying ground is a significant feature of Casey Farm’s landscape, stewarded and interpreted by Historic New England. https://www.historicnewengland.org/property/casey-farm/ Repeats May 28 Limit: 40 Sat May 21 Tour | Elm Grove Cemetery, North Kingstown Sat May 21, 10am Elm Grove Cemetery, 960 Tower Hill Rd, North Kingstown Elm Grove Cemetery, North Kingstown's first public cemetery, is also its largest, holding more than 10,000 graves. Join Town Historian for a walking tour that explores the history of South County. Sat May 21 Tour | Hotchkiss Cemetery, North Smithfield May 21, 9-11am Hotchkiss Cemetery, next to Union Cemetery (across from 108 Smithfield Rd), North Smithfield There will be a walking tour of Hotchkiss Cemetery. Contact: Rich Keene rfkeene6@gmail.com or Denis Chamberland – denis.p.chamberland@gmail.com Sat May 21 Gravestone Cleaning Demonstration | Hotchkiss Cemetery, North Smithfield Sat May 21, 11am Hotchkiss Cemetery, next to Union Cemetery (across from 108 Smithfield Rd), North Smithfield There will be a gravestone cleaning demonstration presented by Ed Walker. Contact: Rich Keene rfkeene6@gmail.com or Denis Chamberland – denis.p.chamberland@gmail.com Sat May 21 Tour | North Burial Ground, Providence May 21, 1pm North Burial Ground 5 Branch Ave Providence Naturalist Greg Gerritt will lead a walking tour of amphibian habitats in North Burial Ground, focusing on Ridgeside Lake and a small rainwater pool. Participants will learn how to spot amphibian refuges, and they may also encounter young hawks about to fledge in the cemetery. https://www.youtube.com/user/Moshassuckcritters Limit: 40 Contact: Greg Gerritt: gerritt@mindspring.com to reserve a spot Sat May 21 Clean-up | Conservation Cabin, Smithfield Sat May 21, 9am Conservation Cabin (behind police station), 125 Pleasant View Ave, Smithfield Join volunteers to continue their perpetual care program and clean-ups every other Saturday morning. Contact: Skip Tuetken friendsofsmithfieldcemeteries@gmail.com Sat May 21 Tour | Zebina Cook Lot, Woonsocket May 21, 10am Zebina Cook Lot, rear of Bissonnette Field on Elder Ballou Rd, Woonsocket Greg Duhamel leads a walking tour for Woonsocket Historical Society and Blackstone Valley Historical Society. Contact: Greg Duhamel grizroots401@gmail.com Sun May 22 Tour | Grace Church Cemetery Providence Sun May 22, 11:30am Grace Church Cemetery 10 Elmwood Ave Providence Anne Tait leads a tour of Russell Warren's grave designs. She is a Professor of Art at Roger Williams University and the former artist-in-residence at Grace Church Cemetery. https://www.gracechurchcemeteryri.org/history Sun May 22 Conversation | North Burial Ground, Providence Sunday May 22, 12:30-3pm North Burial Ground, 5 Branch Ave., Providence Witness a conversation between Stephen Hopkins (portrayed by Fran Leazes), signer of the Declaration of Independence, and Charles Haskell (portrayed by Rochelle Coleman), a Black Revolutionary War soldier who was once enslaved, about the Declaration of Independence. You’ll “meet” each man, watch their discussion, and have an opportunity for questions. After the presentation, tour the North Burial Ground. The easiest parking for this event is the free parking along North Main Street. You can enter through the main cemetery gates, or through the gate at the Groden Greenhouse. Meet at North Burial Ground office, where NBG director, Annalisa Heppner will give a brief history of North Burial Ground and lead the group to the Stephen Hopkins lot. There is no limit for this program, but please RSVP on Facebook at https://fb.me/e/1OtEdAKMc [fb.me]: or via email at northburialground@providenceri.gov Tues May 24 Presentation | East Greenwich Free Library, East Greenwich Tuesday May 24, 6pm East Greenwich Free Library, 82 Peirce St, East Greenwich Archaeologists Joseph (Jay) Waller Jr. and Gregory Dubell of Public Archaeology Laboratory present "East Greenwich’s Historic Cemeteries: Protecting the Town’s Past Residents." The East Greenwich Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission is charged with increasing awareness and maintenance of its many burial grounds. Development is increasingly encroaching upon the town’s historic graveyards, which are protected under state law. This presentation serves a primer on The Rhode Island Cemeteries Act and will draw on local examples summarizing state-supported strategies for establishing cemetery boundaries to avoid unmarked graves and implementing cemetery protection and management strategies. While focusing on East Greenwich, this program is open to anyone interested in the local graveyards in Rhode Island and their protection. Contact Greg Dubell gdubell@palinc.com Thurs May 26 Screening | Jamestown Philomenian Library, Jamestown Thurs May 26, 6:30pm Jamestown Philomenian Library 26 North Rd, Jamestown Jamestown Historical Society presents a screening of “Cemetery Tour – Stories in Stone.” The video features costumed interpreters telling the stories of locals buried at the Cedar, Friends, and Hazard Family Cemeteries. Contact: Rosemary Enright rxenright@gmail.com Sat May 28 Presentation | Bristol Historical & Preservation Society, Bristol Saturday, May 28, 12pm Bristol Historical & Preservation Society, 48 Court St, Bristol Lew Keen, Chairman of the Newport Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission, presents a lecture on the Art of Gravestone Carving. Examine the various styles of headstone art, learn their meaning and significance, and see how they appear in the historic cemeteries of Rhode Island. This event is part of Bristol Historical & Preservation Society’s All About Cemeteries program on May 28. For more information, visit https://bhpsri.org Contact: info@bhps.necoxmail.com Sat May 28 Tour | Trinity Church Graveyard, Newport Sat May 28 (and Saturdays), 1pm Trinity Church Graveyard, Corner Spring/Church sts, Newport Most of Trinity Churchyard’s 250 graves date to the 18th century, representing the fine work of stone carvers from the John Stevens Shop (still in operation today) and John Bull. If you miss the cemetery tour, you can visit the church 10am-4pm Saturdays. Tour limit: 8. https://www.trinitynewport.org/ Contact: TrinityTours100@gmail.com Sat May 28 Tour | Casey Farm, North Kingstown May 28, 11am Casey Farm 2325 Boston Neck Rd, North Kingstown meet at Casey Farm Market information table Visit the Silas Casey Burial Ground, where 32 members of the Casey family were interred from the early 18th century through the mid-20th century. The small family burying ground is a significant feature of Casey Farm’s landscape, stewarded and interpreted by Historic New England. https://www.historicnewengland.org/property/casey-farm/ Limit: 40 Sat May 28 Ceremony | James Babcock Grounds, Westerly Sat May 28, 10am James Babcock Grounds, next to 42 Watch Hill Rd, Westerly Lawrence Hunter and the Phebe Greene Ward Daughters of the American Revolution Chapter will dedicate new flag holders provided by RI Sons of the American Revolution for 3 Revolutionary soldiers. Come jump start Memorial Day weekend. Sat-Mon May 28-30 Flagging veterans' graves | Coventry/West Warwick tbd May 28-30, 9am Coventry/West Warwick tbd Flagging veterans' graves tbd May tbd Veterans' flagging project | Scituate May tbd Post 19, American Legion, Scituate Post 19 American Legion hosts an event to flag veterans' cemeteries and graves https://www.facebook.com/ScituatePost19/ Contact Skye Pechie tmbgambassador@gmail.com, Fred Faria ftfaria001@gmail.com ONGOING (APRIL - MAY) April - May (ongoing) Self-guided tour | St. Columba's Churchyard, Middletown Ongoing April – May St. Columba’s Churchyard 55 Vaucluse Ave, Middletown Enter through the lych-gate (1897) to enjoy this audio tour of the historic churchyard and its notable burials, including several stones by the John Stevens Shop in Newport. www.stcolumbaschapel.org/about-us (see “The Churchyard”) April - May (ongoing) Game | North Burial Ground, Providence April - May (ongoing) North Burial Ground 5 Branch Ave, Providence Let’s play Headstone Bingo—a family friendly search and find Bingo game with headstone iconography. Download the Bingo game from the NBG website (below) and take your family on a self-guided exploration of the cemetery. https://www.providenceri.gov/providence-parks/north-burial-ground-tours/ April - May (ongoing) Photo contest | North Burial Ground, Providence April - May (ongoing) North Burial Ground 5 Branch Ave, Providence Celebrate NBG’s earliest burials by finding our earliest headstones (1700-1799) and photographing your favorite details. Be creative: a perfect headstone doesn’t necessarily make the best photo! Be careful: don’t modify stones or attempt to move them. To share: Tag @pvdnorthburialground on Facebook or Instagram—or—DM your photo to NBG on fb or ig—or—Email northburialground@providenceri.gov with subject “1700s Photo Contest.” The NBG staff will compile our 10 favorite photos and put them to a vote on NBG’s Facebook and Instagram! https://www.providenceri.gov/providence-parks/north-burial-ground/ April - May (ongoing) Online exhibit | North Burial Ground, Providence Memoria: Care Work and Memory in the Free Grounds. This new website honors the memory of the residents of the Potter’s Field and Free Ground at Providence’s North Burial Ground. https://thefreegrounds.squarespace.com/