Memory Garden

In 2005 a group of fel­low Chau­tauquans who are friends and trav­el­ing com­pan­ions decid­ed to pur­chase plots in our love­ly local ceme­tery so we could embark on our ​“final jour­ney” togeth­er. As maudlin as that may sound, this has instead been a cre­ative and enjoy­able project. I was asked to design a site that would even­tu­al­ly receive the cre­mains of the 32 of us.

The fin­ished plot was ded­i­cat­ed in 2009 and sit­ting upon its beau­ti­ful­ly land­scaped knoll, has become a place of med­i­ta­tive peace and calm not only for its future occu­pants, but also for ceme­tery vis­i­tors who have been intrigued by the unique­ness of its spi­ral design. 

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    The Plot site

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    Laying out the pattern

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    Digging the foundation

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    Creating the concrete foundation form

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    Pouring the concrete

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    The completed foundation

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    The addition of natural stonework

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    The inscribed headstones, bench and landscaping are added

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    The bench top inscription

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    The finished Plot

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    Dedication

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    The "Plotters" meet annually for a plot picnic to celebrate another year above ground and to toast those in the group who have passed on.