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Summer Tours!

Learning About and Touring the EC

Sundays
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Meet at the Dead House near the front gate at 1:15 PM
$7 per person, seniors and students $4, children under 12 free

It's summer, and that means guided tours through the cemetery! Learn about the types of stones, some of the stories of those who are interred, and some fun facts about burial grounds and funerary customs. The terrain is uneven, the sun can be warm, and the wind can be cool, so wear layers and appropriate footwear. There's so much to see and learn, so join us every Sunday! You can pre-register by emailing sa@spiritsalive.org but it's not required. Check the Twitter feed on our website for cancellations due to weather.

Unearthing the History of the EC

Exposing a Stone Reveals Ants!

Most Every Saturday
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
In the back, down the hill

A group of us continues with the survey of every single stone in the cemetery this summer! Each Saturday we move from stone to stone, filling out a form for each that records the inscription on the stone, the location of it, and the condition of the stone itself. Weather determines whether we will be there or not, so check the Website for the most up-to-date schedule. You can also check our Twitter feed each Saturday morning – we often post updates on what we've encountered.

Portland MGS Workshop and Tour

MGS Tour Participants

Members of the Portland Chapter of the Maine Genealogical Society spent their morning learning our process of surveying stones in the cemetery. They used the mirror technique to read eroded stones, learned about the different types of stones that exist in the Eastern Cemetery, and how to fill out the official form. More joined after a quick snack and took a complimentary tour of the site.

Norridgewock Cemetery Work

Laura and April cleaning

Laura & April Practice Stone Cleaning

The Maine Old Cemetery Association hosted a 4-day cemetery conservation workshop at OxBow Cemetery in Norridgewock, ME. Conservator Joe Ferrannini presented methods to conserve cemeteries and gravestones. April, Art, Laura and Holly attended learning how to reset, clean, epoxy and repin stones. They were joined by 30 other interested folks who helped clean up and restore the old family site. Photos of the Oxbow event are available on our Flickr site.

Talk with Ghost Hunters

Holly enjoyed a conversation with Tony and Windy of the Maine Ghost Hunters on June 12. She was honored to be a guest on their weekly show, Maine Ghost Hunters Zerolux Radio. Earlier in the day, Windy met Lisa, who represented Spirits Alive, at the Eastern Cemetery to lead a meetup tour for the Ghost Hunters. The archive of the show, where the Eastern Cemetery, gravestones, and funerary trivia was discussed, is available.

Waterville Gravestone Meeting

The Spirits Alive Exhibit Table

On June 14-19, the Association for Gravestone Studies held their annual week-long conference, this year at Colby College in Waterville. Workshops in cemetery conservation, gravestone rubbing, photography, and foil impressions were offered. Researchers and scholars from around the country offered lectures, classroom presentations and workshops. Our own Martha was the registrar for this meeting and attended the entire week. She also manned our table in the exhibit hall!

Become a Spirits Alive Friend Today

Help Spirits Alive keep the Eastern Cemetery alive for generations to come and join as a Friend. For only $25 a year ($40 for families, $15 for students or elders), you can help:

We also offer 2 free tour tickets and 10% off all Spirits Alive merchandise.

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