VALE CEMETERY THE CARETAKERS HOUSE скачать в хорошем качестве

VALE CEMETERY THE CARETAKERS HOUSE

Historic Vale Cemetery, founded in 1857 Approximately 60 acres in size, with about 33,000 grave sites, Vale Cemetery has been and continues to be non-denominational and welcomes all who would be buried in its peaceful grounds The cemetery is divided into several sections, each having its own historic importance: Veterans Section — veterans from the Civil War and Spanish American War are buried here, as well as later ones. First Reformed Church — The graves in this section predate the formation of Vale Cemetery. They were moved in 1879 from various small First Reformed Church cemeteries scattered throughout the Stockade. The oldest marker is that of Jan Mabee, survivor of the Schenectady Massacre, who died in 1725. The first burial was of four-year-old Noah Vibbard Van Vorst. The oldest burial is that of Elias Van Guysling who died in 1695. His remains were relocated from the family plot on Van Slyk Island when General Electric enlarged their site. The oldest grave marker is that of Jan Maybee, of Mabee House, who died in 1725.The Superintendent's House (1889–1890) and Caretaker's Cottage are listed as contributing buildings to the Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. The North Terrace Gate, State Street Gate, and Brandywine Avenue Gate are listed as contributing structures. "The Vale," as it was called, was a child born of the Rural Cemetery Movement, which began in 1831 at Mt. Auburn Cemetery near Boston. At that time, inner-city burying grounds filling up as populations expanded and rampant epidemics swept through cities, increasing the death rates and creating a need for more burial sites. Indeed, many of the cemeteries of that era were nothing more than marshy wetlands that were unsuitable for building purposes. In Schenectady about 1850, the old public burying ground in the Stockade (located at present day Front and Green streets) was in an unsanitary condition. In 1856, the Common Council concluded the land known as the Hospital Farm, off Nott Terrace (a 38-acre plot), then a rural area outside the city, would be a suitable site for a public cemetery. On June 2, 1857, Mayor Benjamin V.S. Veeder was authorized to oversee the road grading and tree planting for the new cemetery. Burton Thomas and John Doyle designed a park-like landscape with pastoral vistas. More than 1,000 trees of various species were planted. Vale Cemetery was dedicated on Oct. 21, 1857, by Rev. Julius Seelye. The first burial was that of a four-year-old child, Noah Vibbard Van Vorst, on Nov. 9, 1857. Today there are more than 33, 000 people buried in Vale’s 100 acres. Union College president Dr. Eliphalet Nott donated the first entrance on Nott Terrace, a 66-feet wide gateway. The college, city, and the First Reformed Church all participated in Vale’s founding. In that era, the cemetery was more than a burial ground or place of mourning. Visitors would spend the day there, often with picnic lunches, while enjoying the natural surroundings, man-made lakes, and finding cool relief in the hottest months. Through the years religious, fraternal, and military groups designed plots for their deceased members: First (Dutch) Reformed Church, German Methodist Church, Union College, the Congregational Church, the African-American Community, and the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) to name a few. The Vale’s rural origins gradually disappeared as the city of Schenectady grew up around it. But plans are now emerging to restore monuments and roadbeds to their original grandeur. Interred here are the founders and leaders of Schenectady’s development from a trading post to a center of commerce and industry; artists, poets, writers and distinguished scholars many from Union College; civic leaders; politicians; the “colored,” the poor and probably a few scoundrels. Vale continues to be non-denominational and welcomes all who would be buried in its peaceful grounds, either in a full burial or as cremated remains.Thriving Into the 21st Century