4/9/14

I want to apologize for how late the publication of this blog post is, this past weekend I had personal things, including being sick, interfere with posting. In addition, I am sad to say that past Friday (1/4/14) was the last field day for this internship. I cannot believe how quickly the time has past and that this Saturday is the Lemonade Lecture already! April has just flown on by and I am not sure I am ready to be finished with this internship, but all’s well that ends well!

           

            On Wednesday I knocked out a majority of the Union Cemetery Inscription, allowing for only the recently accounted for burials needing to be inputted into the word document. It is a massive cemetery and seeing the 25 pages of names that need to be compiled into the master inscription document appears to be a somewhat daunting task, but I look forward to the feeling of relief I will encounter once I have tackled it.

One of several broken in crypts

      Timing was apropos for I worked on Union/Orange Baker Cemetery Inscription on Wednesday and then one of the first cemeteries we visited on Friday was Union/ Orange baker. My boss has told me how disarray and saddening it is, but nothing can truly prepare you for the sadness that clings to the air. Since this is an African American Cemetery, it is sad to see the state of the cemetery from vandalism to mournful homemade headstones. I’ve seen previous acts of vandalism with obelisks pushed over and headstones broken, but it pales in comparison to Union where actual vaults were broken into and the way to rectify it is by placing plywood on top. However, it is quite evident that the plywood is quite old and is being used as a more permanent fix then it should be. It is maddening to see the state this cemetery is in, when there are so many people buried here. However, there is something sadder then the acts of vandalism-it is the handmade burial markers which include cinder blocks and wood outlining. It is obvious the loved ones of whoever is buried there could only afford those items instead of the ornate granite or marble headstones, it’s so sad that money becomes such a force even in times of despair. I admire that there are people who decided to build something, instead of leaving just a funereal home marker, which will erode away or become lost quite quickly. It just made my heart so heavy to see that Cemetery, and even now it is the saddest and most desolate of cemeteries that I have encountered my entire internship. Union Cemetery is interesting just with the size of it, but the sorrow that permeates throughout cannot be missed nor ignored. 

           

            We also visited Beresford Cemetery, which was in the middle of this clearing just along the side of the road. It was very picturesque and it had a fascinating headstone that was a gigantic black rock. I found it to be so raw and unusual that I think it might be one of my favorite headstones that I have seen. After seeing Union Cemetery and then visiting this one, there was an obvious difference in regards to the upkeep of the cemetery. Which I find horrible, I wish that all cemeteries were all well taken care for and pleasing to visit like Oakdale or Beresford Cemetery. However, life does not work like that and that is why creating awareness in preservation is key: so cemeteries like Union can receive the care and treatment it truly deserves.

            I’ll wrap up this blog for now seeing as I need to start preparing for the Lemonade Lecture on Saturday and wrap up the few loose ends that are still left for me. I know in the last few posts I keep mentioning how I am amazed about how quickly time has gone by, but I feel cannot truly express how shocked I am by it. I have learned a lot from this internship and I am excited to see what all I take with me in regards to graduate school and future jobs.

3/5/14

Well it is that time of year again; Spring Break is here and is the cause of a later blog update than typical of me. I went up to Jacksonville for two days for research for my research paper and while there I stumbled onto another Clifton Cemetery, I guess I just can’t get enough of cemeteries on my Friday field days.

           

            This week I was quite productive, I finished the majority of not only my Lake Helen & Cassadaga Cemetery Site File, but Bethel Cemetery as well. This included researching and writing a technical history, compiling the names of those buried at either location, and estimating the amount of those buried at the cemeteries to name a few examples. However, I will once again focus most of my blog on last Friday for it was incredibly fascinating even though we only visited two cemeteries.

           

            For the first cemetery of the day, we actually returned to Oakdale Cemetery, the main cemetery for DeLand by my understanding. I was actually very excited to return to Oakdale for I found to be so beautiful and full on stories waiting to be uncovered. The last time I was there, my coworker and I were basically rained out and only looked on the newer half of the 33-acre cemetery and some of the more famous headstones as well. This time before walking around the massive cemetery, we stopped at the maintenance building and talked to Stewart, whom was an enormous help. He gave us information about the history of the cemetery, told us of influential people buried there, and alerted us to unique headstones/obelisks to photograph. I felt like we were in a scene from a TV show when Stewart was telling us about the prominent members of the area buried there, for he would say the name and then my coworker would turn to be and explain why they’re famous. I’m starting to understand the history of Volusia County much better, especially when Henry DeLand is involved.

           

            While we were photographing the cemetery, there was a theme that continually caught my eye. The first was a symbol of two hands shakings that was carved on numerous headstones and it appears as though gender does not matter. I had also previously seen that symbol at other cemeteries including Clifton Cemetery, so my fascination was peaked.

This is also the oldest death date I saw there

From my perusal of the Internet, I have found three distinct explanations of the symbol. The first and most common, is that the symbol is itself symbolic of one saying their goodbyes near the time of death or saying goodbye to this life and going into the afterlife. The second theory is that the two hands are that of a married couple. The foremost hand is that of whomever passed away first and is leading the second into the afterlife. From what I’ve read, one can tell if this theory applies to the carving for one cuff will be feminine in appearance while the other looks masculine. The final theory is that it is apart of the fraternity order Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which until I started researching I had never heard of before. It would make sense since it is a symbol that is on enough to make it appear as a pattern, but few enough to look like it was unique. Additionally men and women are allowed to join the order and it appears that it came to Florida around mid 1840’s. I find all three theories to be fascinating and that they all have a strong possibility of being the truth. I find Oakdale Cemetery fascinating and I could easily continue to write about how I was trying to find a link in multiple deaths in the same year or about all the unique headstones that I saw while there.

           

            The second cemetery we went to was Lincoln Cemetery, which is located right behind Hollywood Cemetery. The close proximity is due to the fact both cemeteries once had been used for segregation during Reconstruction and over time, they just became two separate entities. I found the entire cemetery to have a very melancholy feel for no particular reason. The headstones were spread out far and wide in the cemetery and there were several homemade ones as well. My favorite had no words, but there were broken glass shards in a concrete headstone and the faint image of a woman on the photograph behind the broken shards. It’s sad that the headstone was broken, but I am amazed that is still intact. I wish I knew more about the person there, but there is no true clue about the history of whoever is laying there. 

Beware the wild cactus

It was a very sandy cemetery, with wild cactus growing which I found fascinating since I didn’t know that grew in the wild here. I know that’s a random thing to note, but I was fascinated by that on Friday.

 Overall, last week was a great time for me to finish up before Spring Break and I set myself up so when I go back next week I’ll have new projects to start on. I can’t believe the semester is halfway done, it seems like I am still just getting started with schoolwork and this internship! I’m very excited to see what the last half of the semester brings.

             

2/23/14

The highlight of this week was the fieldwork on Friday, for it was my coworker and I racing to complete cemetery assessments before we were inevitably rained out.  It was an array of cemeteries from small familial cemeteries to massive often used cemeteries; it was interesting to see how even the upkeep and decorations differed from each location.

            The first cemetery we visited was Purdom Cemetery, which was off of the highway and tucked away on a winding road. It is a massive cemetery that has very obvious mixes of older tombs and recent. The decoration, flowers, and additional trinkets left on the newer tombs made it appear to be well taken care of and visited often. It was nice to see that care was taken to making sure the tombs looked presentable and not withering away. One can easily tell that this is a place for some to come and commemorate and in a sense be with their past love ones.

            Afterwards we ventured to Clifton Cemetery, which was one of the prettiest locations I have seen besides Harris Cemetery. The drive to the cemetery involved driving under a beautiful canopy until one reaches the small and quaint cemetery  There was a carving on one of the headstones I enjoyed for the simplistic nature and another had near the headstone a circular stone with I am assuming their collegiate affiliation. Two very drastic carvings, but I believe they both embodied the persons entombed quite nicely.

The majority of those buried there are related to the Clifton family, so it was interesting to see a true familial cemetery and the differences. I found there was not as many trinkets or decorations as I have seen either at Purdom or even Bethel Cemetery.

A small look at the massive cemetery

           

The final major cemetery we visited was Oakdale Cemetery in Deland, which I discovered has on site maintenance that I appreciate for not only do the grounds look spotless, but it aids in reducing the amount of vandalism as well. I discovered they have their own website which entails events, such as reenactments that are done twice a year, photographs of unique burials, and cost to be buried there as well. (You can check it out here x) The last item I have never really put much thought to and was surprised by the cost and am very curious to research more about cost of burial practices with other prominent cemeteries in the area. By the time we arrived to this cemetery a storm was fast approaching so we had to quickly do the assessment for the massive cemetery, while additionally taking pictures for not only documentation but to have for future projects. I could wander that cemetery for hours and still find fascinating headstones and obelisks! The mausoleum was incredibly striking, but I found my self more entranced by the obelisks and unique memorials such as a bench for example.

 Not only are their tombs, but also there is a memorial for Confederate Soldiers that are buried in Oakdale Cemetery. Very simple and does not truly draw attention to itself but it is there nonetheless as a silent tribute. I hope to go back to this cemetery so I can spend more time looking and less time worrying about being rained out.

Next week is my last week before Spring Break and I cannot fathom how fast this semester has been going by! However, as they say “time flies when you’re having fun” and that is most certainly the truth. I have seen in such a short period a fascinating array of tombs and I’m working on strengthening my technical writing skill, but that has been an unexpected challenge. I am excited to see what else is in store for me this semester.

2/17/14

      I hope everyone had a Happy Valentine’s Day and enjoying the additional day off with President’s Day as well! This post will highlight my experiences out on the field on which resulted on more fun then should occur in a cemetery. (Also I figured out how to make the layout more dynamic and may have gone overboard with pictures!)

 I was being a good driver by using a form of the "10 and 2" grip

  

            What allowed for Friday to go smoothly is that our application for driving the Volusia County vehicles was finally approved! I was just a little nervous about driving a government car, but I did get a kick out of the fact that even when driving the speed limit vehicles that wanted to pass never would. A little thing, but it made me chuckle that even the county insignia welds that much power.  

                                        

            My coworker and I traversed northwards to Seville where we managed to visit five of the eight cemeteries we’re working on that are located in that area of the county. Some of the cemeteries we visited were Seville Cemetery, Harris Cemetery, and Mt. Zion Cemetery. All were very different from the feel, racially, and even by materials used in the cemeteries.

            Seville Cemetery is a massive cemetery that was segregated after one African American man was buried amongst white citizens.  The white side is orderly arranged and has immaculate obelisks for Woodmen of America and additional Masonic symbols as well.

My favorite was the Woodmen of the World obelisk for it looked like a hewn tree trunk; I thought it was an incredibly unique and clever design.

However once you cross over to the other half of the segregated cemetery it is obvious it is much less organized and the weather is eroding the grave materials very rapidly. There are some graves as recent as 2011 that looked as decrepit as graves from the 1930’s. It was incredibly depressing to see the vast difference between the adjacent cemeteries. At one point while wandering the cemetery, I came across piles of brick, which I found to have a very eerie vibe and could not figure out what it was for the life of me. Just like in every feel-good movie once I moved farther away and looked at “the big picture” I realized the bricks made up the cornerstone of an utterly decrepit church.

The next cemetery, which was my favorite, was Harris Cemetery. Though it’s hard to find unless you’re headed south of Seville, but it was absolutely beautiful and relaxing. 

Very few graves here, mainly family plots but they were definitely tended to and had an array of decorations and memorabilia around the burials.

An additional aspect that I really enjoyed was the discovery of citrus trees scattered around the inside perimeter of the cemetery. My coworker, a true Floridian, took it as an opportunity to explain some of the vegetation and try to figure out if the fruit were oranges or persimmons. Regardless it just added to the natural beauty of the cemetery.

                                                

The last cemetery I will regale you about was the Mt. Zion Cemetery, which had a picturesque church with bathrooms in a separate outside building.

If there were no graves or if that wasn’t a factor for some, it would make a great setting for a wedding. Very idyllic and it is obvious that someone or a group is replacing sunken or eroded headstones with simple granite instead. It was nice to see that there are those apart of the community who take graveyard preservation as seriously as Volusia County Government.

            

Before I sign off until my next riveting post I want to mention this awesome website I discovered while doing some extracurricular research on the Volusia County area and local landmarks and wander upon this fascinating site, Haunted Places! I love reading about ghost stories, especially for places I have been and it gave me additional things to think about that I never considered such as the Devil’s Chair is located in the Lake Helen & Cassadaga Cemetery. Without that website I would not have put that together until I visited the cemetery later down the road. If you’re as interested in ghost stories and haunts as much as I am then check out the link x