Irony: “A state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result."
Though the gates often appear to be open, the Jericho Center cemetery fence has a sign attached that reads, CLOSED NOVEMBER TO APRIL.
Seemingly a pattern prevails as the white small shed in front of the cemetery is padlocked, although undeterringly. The padlock is indeed bolted closed to the clasp on the left door but the other side of the clasp is not attached to the door on the right. There is just enough of a gap between the two doors to beg inquiry; however, the voyeur comes away with only a shudder and unsatisfied curiosity at the deep blackness within, even on sunny bright days.
But herein the irony and mystery only just begins. First some
background.
The Jericho Center Cemetery is located on Barber Farm Road in
Jericho Center. Snowflake Bentley is buried there.
Lewis Chapin gave the land for the cemetery. The parcel of land that he gave to the town is two acres. He specified that there should be a fence “whenever it is necessary to be so fenced.” One might ponder on what would make it necessary to fence in those whom I assume no longer wander about.
One would expect somewhat limited interest in visiting most Vermont graveyards
in the snow, ice, and mud seasons. Nevertheless, given that Wilson “Snowflake”
Bentley is buried within, this graveyard might warrant winter visitations.
Snowflake Bentley is renowned for being the first known photographer of
snowflakes. Bentley tried drawing the images of snowflakes he viewed through a
microscope, however he found they were too complex to record before they
melted. He developed a method to photograph snowflakes. He also photographed
all forms of ice and natural water formations including fog and clouds.
One would expect that much if not most of his photos were taken between
November and April. Therein lies the further irony.
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| Photo by Bernie |
The winter months are precisely when the graveyard (that contains his
remains) is advertised as closed. Yet a defiant force seems to want the
gateways to be open during this period. Could it be that Snowflake Bentley
continues on with his work in Jericho Center, from November to April? Some have
reported a brief flash of light coming from the dark caverns of the white shed
in front of the cemetery on blustery snowy days.
Look closely at any snowflake art you see in town.
From time to time the
intricate details of each snowflake may change as if a yet unknown artist
continues to photograph snowflakes and display their endless snow crystal designs
for us all to observe in splendid detail especially from November to April.
Bernie Paquette discovers by observation, then shares photos and stories highlighting why Jericho Vt. is a special place!
Bernie,
Thank you for your recent
message and discussion of the Jericho Center Cemetery in the Mountain Gazette
& Front Porch Forum.
I would like to give some background information on your comments.
The Jericho Center Cemetery and the Castle Cemetery, just off Route 15, are the
first two cemeteries created in Jericho in the early 1800s. These are the resting
place and burial ground for the earliest founders and settlers of the Town.
These are the folks that created the Town, worked here locally, and lived off
the land. They need attention and respect. [ Bert, I fully agree. ~Bernie.]
Jericho Center Cemetery was created by a land donation on May 1st, 1858 with one and one-half acres to a group of citizens for the sale of lots
and a burial ground. For forty years, this group created and administered the
cemetery. On June 2nd, 1897 the Jericho Center, Cemetery Association
was duly incorporated under the laws of Vermont. On June 4th, 1897 the
Administrator quit-claimed the "New Burying Ground"
to Jericho Center, Cemetery Association. It is the same original
parcel. Therefore the cemetery has been in operation for a long time.
Since that date, five parcels have been added by donation or
purchase. The total land area is now eight and one-half acres.
Approximately four or more acres contain the remains of our
citizens. The Jericho Center Cemetery Association owns the added acreage and
operates the cemetery for the Town. The Vermont Secretary of State
has recognized the Association for being a nonprofit corporation in
continuous operation for 121 years (since 1897). The original Articles of
Association can be found in the state archives.
In answer to your inquiry. First of all, the white building.
There within was stored a horse-drawn funeral carriage, with glass sides and
curtains; used to carry a casket from either the home or the church at the time
of burial. A number of years ago it was given to the Jericho Historical
Society. I believe they transferred it to the Shelburne Museum. The building
did store hand tools and lawn equipment but is now empty. All graves
were dug by hand with a shovel until mechanical equipment was invented. All
work was done by manual labor. The hillside is sandy soil and was reasonably
easy to dig. I believe this was one reason the site was selected, besides being
close to the church and public center.
Fencing was important. Jericho was rich and filled with many
active farms. Everyone raised their own food on their own land. Horses were
necessary for transportation and farm work. A trip to Essex Junction might
take a full day by horse. Cows, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens were
plentiful and necessary for the family table. At times these were allowed to
roam free without corrals or fences. Therefore a surrounding fence kept
the animals from disturbing the burial grounds. In recent years we have had
cows jump the fence from adjacent neighbors. The fencing is not to keep
"someone in" but to deter adverse entrance from the outside.
Cemetery Winter Closing is necessary for two reasons.
One - we do not have the means or equipment to open a gravesite with the ground frozen. The cost for snow plowing and opening frozen ground exceeds
our modest budget. We do not have many burials each year. Local Funeral
Directors make arrangements to store the bodies until spring. Cremations do not
have a storage problem.
Two - the entrance hillside has a slope of some 20 percent. You
rise up 20 feet for every one hundred feet of forwarding movement. From
Barber Farm Road the rise is one hundred feet to the top of the hill.
With ice and snow, a car would slide into monuments. Damaging the car and
breaking monuments.
Repair of both would be expensive and create liability problems.
Therefore it is better to just close the gate from November to April.
The chain across the entrance gate allows one to walk through the
cemetery. I do see footprints in the snow, so we do have visitors during those
months.
Additional information on the cemetery history can be found in
History of Jericho volumes.
Cordially yours,
Bert Lindholm
President, Jericho
Center Cemetery Association
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