Back by popular demand, the Historical Society of Easton will sponsor Dan Cruson, celebrated historian, author, teacher and scholar, on a guided tour of two of Easton’s historic cemeteries, Gilbertown and Union, on Saturday October 20th at 3:00 PM (Rain Date: October 21st).
Dan is the author of “Redding and Easton” as well as many historical tomes about neighboring towns and their environs including his hometown of Newtown, where he is the town’s historian. While old photos, manuscripts, and maps provide great inspiration for research topics and analysis, cemeteries are also a rich source of information and insight into our past. Dan will guide attendees through with headstones pointing out oddities along the way.
His tour of the two cemeteries will afford a better understanding into how our 18th Century forefathers lived and died. Exploring the origins and meanings of local grave markers, Dan will explain the traditions held about death and dying.
Our tour begins at Gilbertown Cemetery the second oldest cemetery in Easton and the final resting place of Samuel Staples, who bequeathed his estate to establish the Staples Free Academy in Easton, where poor children could pursue a higher education. The cemetery is adjacent to Aspetuck Park and located at 373 Black Rock Road, Easton. Please park at Aspetuck Park or at the nearby Olde Blue Bird Inn and Garage. From Gilbertown the tour will continue to Union Cemetery located at the intersection of Stepney Road and Sport Hill Road. Union is the oldest cemetery in Easton with headstones dating to 1761 and reported to be one of the most haunted cemeteries in the United States with supposed visits from the “White Lady”. Certainly, Dan will shed some light on how her legend came to be.
Please note the tour is scheduled for Saturday, October 20th at 3:00 PM with a rain date of Sunday October 21st starting at the Gilbertown Cemetery. The tour will cost as follows: $15 for non-members; $10 for members; $5 for children 8 years of age or older; $25 maximum per family. Children under 8 will be admitted free. If uncertain about the weather on the day of the tour, please check our Facebook page if we have decided on holding the tour on the rain date. We will post information on our Facebook page. For more information please contact the Historical Society of Easton at 203-292-3533, by email: hseastonct@gmail.com.
