This study argues that there are temporally and socially observable trends present in a sample of Protestant cemeteries from St. Croix’s Danish Colonial Period, as evidenced by the analysis of gravestone characteristics including iconography, morphology, and epitaph. Specifically, gravestones within the sample became noticeably more simplistic in the mid-19th century, which directly reflects St. Croix’s economic decline following emancipation. Although the iconographic and morphological characteristics of the gravestones for men and women and children and adults are largely identical, the epitaphic inscriptions for these groups exhibit a great deal of differentiation. Through analysis of these epitaphs, we discover that society on St. Croix was extremely similar to that of Europe and North America, in which men inhabit the public sphere, women the private sphere, and children are recognized for their cultural importance and biological vulnerability. However, I posit that women, while limited in public autonomy, did possess a degree of authority over familial structure.

Headstones manifest an abundance of historic information and embody society's cultural and socioeconomic statuses over time. Cemetery research has been conducted throughout various regions in the United States, but very little has been focused on headstone analysis in the state of Florida. The purpose of this comparative research is to use a typology established by Meyers and Schultz to compare headstone attributes of Orange County, FL and establish a temporal correlation (2012). The analysis of this study has the ability to highlight societal perceptions and ideals surrounding death and mortuary practices while providing a historical context specific to the state of Florida. Data was collected from two cemeteries in Orange County, representing the headstones of 853 individuals. The methodology of this study entailed visiting the cemeteries, photographing headstones, and noting headstone attributes. Following the model set forth in Meyers and Schultz, attributes taken into consideration for this project were stone type, shape, time period, and sex of the individual (2012). In addition to assessing headstone typology for historic cemeteries, the development of best practices for photogrammetry of headstones will be examined. The questions addressed in this research will hopefully illuminate mortuary trends in Central Florida and encourage future research and literature to shift its focus to include southern regions of the United States in terms of historical Cemetery context. Additionally, practices developed in photogrammetry can aid public archaeology conservation and restoration efforts of historic cemeteries that are endangered of being lost due to external circumstances.

Grave markers represent a significant amount of highly important information related to the cultural patterns of a society, as well as how these patterns have changed over time. Although, cemetery studies are popular in other regions of the United States, few studies regarding grave marker attributes have been conducted in Florida. The purpose of this research was to analyze and interpret temporal and demographic changes in grave marker attributes in Greenwood Cemetery in Orlando, Florida. Another aspect of this research focused on the possible correlation between the age and inferred sex of the deceased individual in relation to the type of epitaph and iconography chosen to represent them in their mortuary context. Data was collected from 925 headstones within Greenwood Cemetery; these headstones further represent 1,102 individuals. Attributes analyzed include marker material, marker type, iconographic images, epitaph, memorial photographs, footstones and curbs. These attributes will be analyzed and compared to trends noted within a similar study conducted by Meyers and Schultz (2016), to allow for better interpretation of trends in grave marker attributes across a range of Florida cemeteries. Results indicate multiple trends. The popularity of marble headstones decreased greatly from 51% in Pre-1900 to only 8% from 2000 to 2017. Furthermore, the prevalence of epitaph and iconography categories vary greatly on both a temporal and demographic basis. Male infants are more likely than any other demographic group to be represented by a genealogical epitaph, at 41% representation. Ultimately, these trends illustrate important aspects of cultural changes related to mortuary practice and individual mortuary contexts within Orlando, Florida.

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This study explores the history of the Cemetery Project, a research-based initiative facilitated by Julia Reynolds Masterman Preparatory and Demonstration School (Masterman) teachers since 1990 at The Woodlands, both in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As understood here, the Cemetery Project has the potential to change the ways in which public history institutions like archives, libraries, and historical institutions engage with classrooms. Situated within the context and history of social science education reform and policy, the Cemetery Project shows the pertinence of primary sources use with the goal of teaching historical thinking in high school history educational contexts. / History

The practice of architecture exists because man has sought shelter from the forces of the world he finds himself. It is wonder of this same world that has caused him to shape his rooms from age to age. In every instance, he recreates the world within the world with the materials of that world. It is the marks, the cuts, the juxtaposition, and the joining of these materials in which ornament dwells. It is present wherever man has shaped material for construction. It is a whisper when homogenized, and it is a trumpet blast when varied. This thesis will delve into the making of ornament, and my love for it. My first cognizant encounter with architecture, was my fascination with the sculpted stones of the gothic cathedrals. It was the ornament that caused me to be fascinated and to remember. So for this thesis, I sought to imagine walls worth remembering. I wanted to touch every material with my mind's eye so that it might be a gift for others. I wanted to ornate. It seemed best for the design to be sacred and to be in an urban setting. I also thought that the presence of time and aging might help the thesis. I came to choose the program of a catholic cemetery in Philadelphia. I hoped to explore what meaningful marks and arrangements of materials I could impart to this ephemeral world. / Master of Architecture

Previous historical and cultural geographic studies of the cemetery suggest that gravemarkers are surrogates for ethnicity and cultural assimilation. While studies of this type among single ethnic groups are common, examination of the multiethnic cemetery has largely been ignored. This study focuses on the necrogeography (regional burial practices) of the Melungeons, an understudied and underrepresented minority group. Their diverse ancestry purportedly includes a mixture of European, Native American, and African heritage. They have settled primarily in the Central Appalachian region, and more specifically within Hancock County, Tennessee. Their traditional burial practices include the construction of a unique gravehouse. I conducted personal interviews with Melungeons, religious leaders, and cemetery workers to determine the social meanings attached to these unique gravemarkers. I inspected 116 cemeteries located within Hancock County. A Melungeon Burial Index (MBI) was calculated based on the number and type of gravemarkers in individual cemeteries. The MBI acts a cultural inventory to measure varying degrees of Melungeon burial assimilation. Next, I interpreted the spatial patterns of assimilation to describe qualities of material cultural diffusion in the area. My findings show that traditional gravehouses are gradually being abandoned by the residents and over 93% of cemeteries exhibit complete burial assimilation. This suggests that gravehouse construction, a material and cultural practice of a U.S. minority group, has ended. / Master of Science

Life is a series of illusions; everyone creates their own life with their personal mindset. We all have our own story. My thesis is part of my story. It was influenced by my life, my illusions, my fears, and my beliefs. This project is dedicated to my brother, whom I lost five years ago. This hardship made me reflect on my passion and my fear: architecture and death. The perspective I gained from studying different cultures and their beliefs about the after life was critical for my project and enlightening on a personal level. For some, death was the end of everything, for others it was just the beginning. Some would grieve and some would take the time to cherish and celebrate death. The synthesis between the knowledge I gained studying these beliefs and that of those I held personally gave rise to this project. Throughout the process the body of the building changed often, but its main structure and soul remained consistent. The essential details of this project were driven from translating the rituals and beliefs of varying cultures regarding mourning and burial into an architectural language. The building consists of a cemetery, columbarium, crematorium, chapel, as well as different spaces for praying and remembering loved ones.The site is located in Old Town, Alexandria. What makes this building different from the others is its emphasis on dead bodies. The more dead bodies enter the building, the more alive the building will become. / Master of Architecture