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Following your teacher's instructions, either read through all the questions before beginning your work or read all those questions for which you are responsible. Otherwise, you may waste time and not be able to complete your assignment.
l. As you walk through the cemeteries, observe and write down in your notebook some early burial dates. What is the earliest you find? Do the same thing with ages of people. What was the age of the oldest person interred in each cemetery? Also keep a record of a few epitaphs (quotes and descriptions about the deceased). What is your favorite?
2. In each cemetery look for symbols on the tombstones. Some you may see are the Masonic, Eastern Star, tree trunk, weeping willow tree, urn, shells, clasped hands, flowers, and lambs. Discuss what they might mean with each other and your teacher. Are some symbols the same in both cemeteries? Which ones are different? Sketch the symbols if you do not know what they mean and ask your teacher or research the meaning.
3. Find the grave of a veteran for each of the wars listed below. Note the name and birth and death dates and any other information or symbols on the marker.
4. Observe at least three different materials from which tombstones are made. What are they? Do some
show more weathering and wear than others of the same age? What effect does pollution and acid rain have on different
types of stones.
5. Are there broken tombstones? How were they damaged? Weather, mowing, weed-eating,
people? Are there signs of repair on some? If someone deliberately vandalizes a tombstone, what do you think a
just punishment would be?
6. You may find photographs on some tombstones. This practice started about 100
years ago. Can you think why the custom began then? Observe the photograph closely and the information on
the tombstone. Based on the information on the tombstone and the photograph, write a short epitaph for this person.
7. What surnames (last names) do you recognize that are the same as places, streets, and businesses in your
town?
8. What are different countries or states of birth listed on tombstones? Where did most of the
settlers in your area come from?
9. You will see different types of trees and shrubs in cemeteries. Choose
one and sketch it and its leaves. When you return to class, identify it based on your sketch. Estimate its age.
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