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Saturday, February 22
1:30pm
USM Glickman Library
314 Forest Ave., 7th Floor Event Room
Free (parking is not) |
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Join us in person for our 15th year of lectures. Learn something new and hob-knob with fellow historic cemetery enthusiasts! |
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David Perkins, a tour guide and board member of the Neal Dow House in Portland, will lead a talk about Neal Dow and his involvement in Portland&rdsquo;s Rum Riot on June 2, 1855. He will delve into the temperance movement that started in Portland in 1851, touching on prohibition and the Maine Law written by Dow. David will work his way through the events leading to, details of, and aftermath of the riot. He’ll also speak about the committee appointed to investigate those transactions. |
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Henry Peck’s slate grave marker, photo by Walt Haddock |
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Henry Peck and Janette C.P. Barnett were married by Reverend Joseph Vaill, pastor of the Second Congregational Church, in Portland on June 2, 1836. No records of any of children have been found. Only 3 years later, Henry was a crew member aboard the vessel Lloyd when it was lost in a storm just south of Boston two days before Christmas in 1839. Peck’s body was one of four that washed ashore and was positively identified by a survivor of the wreck. The inscription on his small slate marker at Eastern Cemetery provides a clue regarding his burial. Instead of “Here lies…” we find “In memory of…” which sometimes—but not always—means the person was buried elsewhere. As Henry’s remains are likely near Boston, we are fortunate to have a marker carved with his name in an African American section at Eastern Cemetery. |
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You can find his slate marker, with a tympanum, curved shoulders and decorated with an urn and willow, near the corner of Congress and Mountfort Streets. Henry Peck was just 29 when he died. His inscription reads: |
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In memory of
HENRY PECK
who died
Dec. 23, 1839
AEt. 29
Forgive blest shade the tributary tear,
That mourns thy exit from a world like this
Forgive the wish that would have kept thee here
And stayed thy progress to the realms of bliss. |
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Janette (was she named after Janette C. Pierre Ruby?) later married another Henry: Henry “Harry” Daniels. They had at least 5 children together, and they are both buried in Evergreen Cemetery. Their son Henry and his brother Charles are buried in Eastern Cemetery, but their plot locations are unknown. |
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Thursday, March 6
7:00 pm to 8:30pm
Sunday, March 9
2pm to 3:30pm
The Hill Arts
76 Congress Street, Portland |
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Spirits Alive is collaborating with The Hill Arts up the street to present the documentary, “Join or Die.” This event will take place within the arts venue and invites all to group-watch this special film on the importance of community in these days where people are feeling more alone and isolated than ever. Many other Portland groups are attending and will be available at intermission to provide more information on how to get involved. We hope you’ll join us, whether at this event, or inside the gates this season! Admission is free, but registration is required. It’s also free to volunteer with our fun group of cemetery enthusiasts. Whichever you decide to attend, we are excited to meet you! |
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Another fun way to meet new people and learn new skills is by participating in the annual Portland History Docent Program (PHD) that starts Thursday, February 27. Spirits Alive is one of 10 organizations who come together to present this 10-week training for those who are interested in becoming volunteers. Applications are open now! |
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Guess what cemetery fan group has its own shirts, caps, playing cards, and tote bags? Spirits Alive does, that’s who! Visit us on Zazzle to view all of our products. Please know that proceeds go directly back to Spirits Alive to help us fund our work to keep the Eastern Cemetery cared for and to teach others about its wonders. |
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You can help Spirits Alive keep the Eastern Cemetery alive for generations to come. Through your support, you can help us, an ALL-VOLUNTEER organization, to continue to: Keep the gates open – encouraging the community to explore its open and safe green space Offer education about the cemetery and its residents to the public – through tours, lectures, and events Encourage and support the city in keeping the site clean and safe for visitors of all ages Preserve this incredible outdoor museum and sacred historic landscape
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Spirits Alive is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of Portland, Maine’s historic Eastern Cemetery through a range of activities including promotion and education. |
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