Waterford Union of Churches Cemetery Visit

Women For Waterford is hosting a gathering at the Waterford Union of Churches Cemetery, behind the Old School, this Thursday, May 18th from 12PM - 1:30PM.

Don't forget to bring a folding chair and your own picnic lunch and join us to learn about the history of this beautiful cemetery.  Thank you to Ann Belland for hosting this event!  Feel free to invite a friend and stay for as long as you are able. You are also welcome to bring a baked good to share for dessert and encouraged to bring a flower cut from your garden to lay at a gravestone.

Please park at the Old School in the back grass area. It's a very short walk to the cemetery. (40295 Fairfax Street)

Before there were parks and museums in large cities, visiting park-like cemeteries with a picnic lunch was very popular. Up until the early 20th century, cemeteries were a popular place to relax, picnic and get together near a loved one’s grave.  Children played among the graves, people walked their dogs and families got together for birthdays and other holidays, including the deceased family member in the festivities. No one felt this was in any way disrespectful.

After the Civil War, a tradition called Decoration Day arose. Not annually set on the calendar, Decoration Day tended to be localized by a town or city to a preferred day of a season and month. On this day, community members would visit their local graveyard and decorate the tombstones with flowers. They would spread a large meal on a blanket or even a tabletop memorial and eat while lounging among the cemetery stones. This is sometimes called “dinner on grounds” and eventually picnic tables were built for people to use.

The weather on Thursday looks absolutely perfect for a picnic and we hope you will join us at this tucked away and treasured spot in Waterford.