Taphophile Corner - have some fun!

 Want to know a secret?

Even on weekends when the members of MGH don't have an event scheduled (ok… it sometimes happens!) we still find a way to get together and have some fun.  Recently, I was able to get together with Teresa & John and travel down to Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, MA.  Talk about a great day. For a Taphophile —-> this is Disneyland! There is so much to do and see.

Mount Auburn was established in 1831 and was the very first Garden Cemetery opened up in the nation. It started an amazing movement. A change in the thinking of cemetery design and placement. Today the cemetery is on the National Historic Landmarks list.  There are 55 full time employees, a chapel on the grounds available for services ranging from memorials to weddings and even a magazine – Sweet Auburn published multiple times a year. 

Another very interesting fact about Mt. Auburn is that there are more than 5000 trees planted of nearly 700 different taxa. The photo here is of a Black Walnut straight from the tree, with a sample of the nut from inside the green fruit.  We found Redwoods and even Gingko trees. Cork trees and Bonsai trees, the list goes on and on.

Though there are a variety of walking tours available, we just hit the road and started walking. John's theory was to walk up hill. Good choice! We found a set of GIANT obelisks on top of the hill. With low blood sugar making us giddy, we laughed and took tourist photos. I had such a good time taking this one of John.  ——————————————–>

When I saw this tower I squealed with delight! It's more than 60 feet tall and people are allowed to climb to the top of it, where you can see all the way to Boston.

But the discoveries just kept coming. One of the next things we found was a Sphinx! Seriously, I was beside myself. This monument was placed here as a tribute to the Union remaining in tact and to commemorate the end of slavery. It is such a Fantastic sight.

We also enjoyed peeking into all of the mausoleums. Here is the incredible sight that greeted us in one of them.

A big thanks to John and his wife Teresa for bringing me along that day. If you haven't been to Mt. Auburn yourself, trust me, it is well worth the drive. If you get there, check the front gate for a chalkboard with the most current listings of bird sightings. Yes, there is even a very active group of ornitholigists that frequent the cemetery. 

Now that the three of us have had a taste, we will have to go back… and maybe even drag Erika along with us! 

Click to share thisClick to share this