Documentation of Judge Jacob Burnet 07/09/09

-Week 2-

Burnet was born in Newark, New Jersey, on February 22, 1770. Jacob Burnet did a lot to make the city of Cincinnati what it is today by providing a strong political standing, and presidential positions of both the Cincinnati Astronomical Society and the Cincinnati American Colonization Society. Burnet also became president of the Medical College of Ohio. There is Burnet Woods, located in the Clifton, close to the University of Cincinnati. This was first suggested by Robert W. Burnet and William S. Groesbeck in 1871. He died on May 10, 1853 and his grave sits in Spring Grove Cemetery as an impressive mausoleum. On my first two walkabouts, I saw just how impressive the overall structure of the Second Empire French designed mausoleum is. The monument is also made of a very wonderful looking marble stone. This may say something of Burnet’s wealth as he was a very prominent man in the city of Cincinnati at one time and could afford such a luxurious mausoleum. The vast amount of flora used in the monument may be a symbolic for either a celebration of his life or a celebration of entering into the afterlife, from what I have learned about the symbolism of the poppy plant. The two infants at the top of the monument seem to symbolize more a celebration of simply life itself. I learned also, that there were a few infant deaths in the Burnet family. The infants carry a veil that drapes over the urn that sits in between them. Perhaps this could be a symbol of veil between the earth and the heavens, as stated in our Stories in Stone reading. The only religious indication that exists on the mausoleum is the small cross that hangs above the door. The symbols and icons on the mausoleum remain pretty basic and don't seem to indicate much of Jaocob Burnet's life or the beliefs of the Burnet family. I think Burnet felt that human life in general is more important than just himself and rather clutter his burial with symbols that reflect him or his family, Burnet would rather use symbols to ode human life itself. There's more in these graves, like Spring Grove itself, than meets the eye. I continue to learn, sense, and view things differently each week at the cemetery.

http://dynamic.cinci-parks.org/cgi-bin/parks.cgi/park_desc?park_id=59
http://www.springgrove.org/hf/history/Notables/JacobBurnet.shtm

25 Questions about Spring Grove Cemetery

1. Why Study Spring Grove?
2. What does Spring Grove have to do with the city of Cincinnati?
3. Why are people buried in cemeteries after death?
4. Is a cemetery a way to make death seem beautiful?
5. Why are flowers used so often in cemeteries?
6. Do people symbolize death in order to understand it?
7. Why are there so many species of plants/trees within Spring Grove?
8. Has Spring Grove always been as big as it is?
9. Is a cemetery a mourning of death or is it rather a celebration of life?
10. Why do people want to be remembered by these grave sites?
11. How does this relate to me?
12. What is the role of the cemetery in society?
13. Can a cemetery be a place of meditation?
14. Why do people believe in an after life?
15. Why are cemeteries often depicted as scary?
16. Should grave sites only be viewed in terms of the people who are buried there?
17. Should grave sites sites be viewed as art, religious relics, or historical monuments?
18. Do churches believe cemeteries are holy?
19. Do cemeteries close on holidays/ religious events?
20. Historically, why would a cemetery be a place to walk around or meet people in?
21. Is it important to honor the dead?
22. Can superstitions of cemeteries be explained rationally?
23. What emotions should one feel in a cemetery?
24. Are grave sites arranged in a certain way?
25. Can a cemetery only provide a look back in time or can it also provide a look into the future?

First walkabout: Mausoleums 07/02/09

-Week 1-

What an experience this week at the cemetery. On my very first walkabout, I had the chance view three very striking mausoleums.

The first mausoleum I visited, the Gerrard, was a strong geometrical tomb made of stone. I instantly noticed how perfectly symmetrical its structure is and how ornate the designs are carved into the rock. Also, I had a close look at the design of the front gate, and inside each frame there is a beautiful grape tree casted from the iron. Behind the gate, is a layer of glass so I was to see the inside of the mausoleum. Inside, I could see all parts of the tomb including an illumination of Leonardo da Vinci's, The Last Supper made out of stained glass on the back wall. To have a family name inscribed on one of these burials must be a great honor.


The second mausoleum I visited, the Groesbeck, was not as big but still very nice. Urns laying on each side of the mausoleum and on top is a statue of a woman which caught my eye. The statue of the woman is wearing a gown and kneeling with her head downward as if in mourning. Because of the symbols, looking at the mausoleum made me feel somewhat somber for the person or family that is buried inside.

The third mausoleum I visited, the Burnet, was large fluid-like structure with a lot of design and detail. I noticed the white stone structure is desgined with plenty of arches, allowing its appearence to be very pleasing to the eye. I liked just how intricate the various carvings were on the rock, including a christian cross which hangs above the mausoleum door. The gardens around the structure are well flourished and from the mausoleum I could see across cedar lake. It stands out well from all other burials in this section and has one of the best locations in the area. Although, I found these mausoleums to be a little on the excessive side, I think all three are classy and elegent enough to provide a proper balance. Each certainly possess personal beauty and the those buried in each certainly must have led very wealthy lives. I would certainly like to do more research on these burials, especially the Burnet.

Feelings, Ideas, and Experiences of the Cemetery

I’ve always viewed cemeteries as places to be respected. It is a place to mourn those who’ve passed and recognize our mortality. Cemeteries are a journey through the past, from which everyone has either had some experience with or at least some connection. My most vivid experience of a cemetery, and as it is most often the case my first experience, was at the time my grandpa passed away. I was very young but still old enough to know this was a place of mourning, and after seeing my grandpa pass through poor health and age, I knew this would be his final rest place and my family’s final farewell to a man who once lived closely with us. It’s amazing to think that all we have left of our deceased are photos, a grave, and memories that can touch our heart softly but at the same time tear it apart. Funny little paradoxes like this seem to race through my head whenever I think of death and I think of the cemetery in the same sense. Graves are remarkable, because somewhere etched in stone is the name of my grandpa, Alfred Bernard, and somewhere else etched in stone is the Grave of someone I do not know – someone who lived years before me and even though I never knew them I can still see their grave to know they existed. There will even be people years from now who will see my grave after I die and will know I existed at one point. Though cemeteries can be emotional they can also be very fascinating. They are almost an index of people who lived and died in our society. Overall, I think a cemetery is a place that can be viewed in any way, just as long as it is respected. While spending these next nine weeks investigating the cemetery in society I will have no initial expectations and will be completely open-minded to what I may experience.