Upcoming events at Cedar Hill Cemetery

If you haven’t been to Cedar Hill Cemetery, you’re missing out. It’s a gorgeous place that is full of history and provides some unique opportunities for bird watching and quiet reflection. There are so many famous and unique people buried there that this year, the cemetery has already offered tours related to architects, “notables,” governors, artists/authors/actors and the Civil War. Future tours include Hartford landmarks and legacy (co-led by Mayor Segarra and happening this Saturday at 10am), more notables tours and more Civil War-related tours, in connection with Cedar Hill’s Civil War Education Series. They’ve also sponsored a bird walk and a tree walk. Cedar Hill’s Haunted History Lantern Tour in October is another great event that is now so popular you can only purchase tickets in advance.

But even more interesting this year is Cedar Hill’s venture into some less traditional opportunities for visitors. The expansion of Cedar Hill’s offerings is due to grants from the Greater Hartford Arts Council and the City of Hartford that allowed Cedar Hill to hire a new Community Outreach Coordinator, Mellissa Craig and allowed Cedar Hill to expand its season of events through December 3, when Cedar Hill will host a Walk of Candlelight.

Cedar Hill's event poster

One of those new events, “Music Among the Memorials,” happens tomorrow at 6pm. Yes, a jazz concert at a cemetery. If you haven’t been to Cedar Hill before, this likely sounds weird, but the place was designed by landscape architect Jacob Weidenmann, who also designed Bushnell Park. It feels like a park. The concert will take place on the hill and lawn next to the community mausoleum. Bring your own food, blankets, chairs, etc — but Cedar Hill sadly does not welcome dogs. The artists include The Alvin Carter Project and Congo Square Ramblers. I confess that although these groups are billed as “well-known Hartford bands,” I’ve never had the opportunity to see them perform. It looks like I’ve been missing out, so I’ll try to fix that tomorrow night. Tickets are $8 if you purchase them by the end of the day, or $15 tomorrow. Rain date is Saturday. Call (860) 956-3311 to purchase tickets today.

I’m also excited about an upcoming event in September. Cedar Hill will host its first movie night on Saturday, September 17 at 8pm. The movie? “The Philadelphia Story,” starring Cedar Hill resident Katharine Hepburn, Jimmy Stewart and my favorite actor of all time, Cary Grant. I’m looking forward to settling back in my chair with some popcorn and a glass of wine and throroughly annoying the people around me by repeating every line. I freely admit that I’m a sucker for old movies, particularly those starring Cary Grant, but if you haven’t seen this movie, you’re missing out on something special. Tickets are $8, or $5 if you’re a Let’s Go Arts member. Rain date is the following Saturday.