This 90-minute presentation chronicles cemetery art, history, and symbolism. From colonial New England burial grounds of the 1600s and 1700s, through the nationwide rural cemetery movement of the 19th century and into 21st-century locations, the program examines why we have cemeteries and gravestones, why they look like they do, and how styles and art have evolved over almost 400 years. The presentation is robust, with photographs of original gravestones and burial grounds found in Charlton alongside images from cemeteries visited by Gravestone Girls over many years.

The speaker, Brenda Sullivan, has an education in Art History and restoration. Sullivan has spent more than thirty years immersed in gravestone art, history and symbolism. She is one of the creators of the Gravestone Girls, whose mission is to "Keep Our Dead Alive" through educational lectures, tours, classes, and the creation of New England gravestone replicas.

Free and open to all. Registration is requested.