Maple Grove, The Cemetery and Our Park

Conveniently located near the neighborhood where Nick, our son, lives is a peaceful landscape that is our park for outings with our granddaughter.  It is the historic Maple Grove Cemetery, founded in 1875.  Last year Nancy Cataldi and Carl Ballenas co-authored this fact-filled book about the cemetery's history and importance to the surrounding neighborhood of Kew Gardens in Queens. 

This Victorian building at the entrance, now the cemetery's administration and visitor center, was originally built to accommodate visitors who arrived on a train line.  The cemetery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; a copy of the book, signed by the authors,  can be ordered from Maple Grove HERE.

We're surprised that other baby strollers do not join us in this idyllic setting.  Nick says that some local people are superstitious about walking through the grounds.  Perhaps it's my limited experience with cemeteries that makes it possible to simply enjoy the flowering trees and large old oaks that line paths.   Living in a city that grows noisier by the minute--a podcast would give a better idea of the sounds from the street that come through our windows--the quiet is so soothing.

Why did I enjoy my life as a psychotherapist?  Because the whys and hows of the lives of others have always interested me. Ask me to look at an album of your forebears photos and you have my full attention.  The book about Maple Grove tells that Millie Tunnell, a former slave was 111 years when buried here.

I have not found her but these  two gravestones are among those with stories that  intrigue me.  Once you enlarge the pictures and read the what's written, please pass along any of your thoughts about the meaning of the message.

More background on how this neighborhood emerged and developed in Kew Gardens: Urban Village  in the Big City  by Barry Lewis, well known  architectural historian and longtime resident.

Comments

[nancy cataldi]

I loved reading your story on Maple Grove, and thank you for mentioning the book which I am co-author. I am very proud of the book and am very attached to the cemetery in many ways.
Millie Tunnell does not have a marker. We hope to raise money through the Friends of Maple Grove to erect stones for certain persons. Our first project is the 1950's songstress LaVern Baker. Please come and attend our big event at Maple Grove called Spirits Alive! where we have actors dressed in period costume telling the stories of the lives of some of the people buried in the older section. The event takes place on September 22nd, at 1.30 pm, with a raindate of the 23rd. take care
nancy

[Lisa Dunn]

I've been lurking on your blog for months and had no idea you were from Maple Grove. I grew up there when we had to go to Osseo to get our mail and to Crystal to get milk! My parents still live there, but it's not the home town I grew up in...I miss the windy gravel pit roads and the big tall trees!

[doulicia]

We occasionally picnicked in rural cemetaries when I was a kid. I should do that with my kids. I remember trying to find the oldest headstone and also being saddened at baby graves.

I don't know how you feel about memes, but i have tagged you. I'd love to know 8 secrets about you (I'm sure you have many). Details at my blog.

[Kay Dennison]

I love old cemeteries. They're so interesting! There are two near my home. I like to go there and wander around.

[marianne]

Today I sat at the local vet cemetery and had a chat with my dad. I loved this post, Naomi, and felt the peace you described. And I do believe that babies need to be close to the spiritual world from which they have so recently arrived. You have just inspired a blog topic in me! xo

[Claude]

I so love old cemeteries. If I ever make it back to NYC, I'll be sure to visit this one. That is, if I can face taking the plane for such a long distance

[cooler*doua]

I'm joining Doulicia in tagging you with the Eight Secrets meme. When you return from your travels. Have a wonderful time.