President ’ s Corner
Sweet Auburn
A publication of the Friends of Mount Auburn Cemetery
580 Mount Auburn Street Cambridge , MA 02138 617-547-7105 www . mountauburn . org
Editorial Committee
Priscilla P . Morris , Editor Senior Vice President of Development
Stephen H . Anable , Managing Editor Communications Coordinator & Writer
David P . Barnett , Contributing Editor President & CEO , Mount Auburn Cemetery
Dennis Collins Horticultural Curator
Candace Currie Director of Planning & Cemetery Development
Bree D . Harvey Director of Education & Visitor Services
Jennifer J . Johnston , Photo Editor Visual Services Coordinator & Staff Photographer
Stephen R . Silver Director of Leadership & Planned Giving
Brian A . Sullivan Archivist
Margaret L . Winslow Curator of Historical Collections
Designer
Elizabeth Bonadies
Printer
P + R Publications
Cover photo : Baltimore Oriole , by George McLean of Medford , MA
Trustees of the Friends of Mount Auburn
Mary Lee Aldrich , Cambridge , MA Clemmie Cash , Chair , Wellesley , MA Thomas C . Cooper , Watertown , MA Caroline Loughlin , Weston , MA Sean McDonnell , Cambridge Caroline Mortimer , Cambridge Ann M . Roosevelt , Cambridge
Honorary Trustee of the Friends Susan W . Paine , Cambridge
The Friends of Mount Auburn Cemetery was established in 1986 to assist in the conservation of the Cemetery ’ s natural beauty and to promote the appreciation of its cultural , historic and natural resources . Organized in 1990 as a 501 ( c ) 3 nonprofit charitable trust , the Friends seeks financial support from its members , other individuals , foundations , corporations and public agencies . It receives gifts for educational and interpretive programs and materials for the public , specific cultural projects , and operating support for horticultural rejuvenation and the preservation of the historic monuments , structures , and archival artifacts and records . The Friends has over 1,200 active members .
Correction Our previous issue did not include the source of the diary featured in “ Stories Behind the Stones : Everything that human love could do was done ”: Papers of Samuel Eliot , Boston Athanaeum , Special Collections , Call # L140 2 | Sweet Auburn
President ’ s Corner
In this , my first “ President ’ s Corner ” column for Sweet Auburn , I must begin by saying that it is an honor to be addressing you as the 13th President in Mount Auburn Cemetery ’ s distinguished 177-year history . In particular , it is an honor to follow in the footsteps of Bill Clendaniel , the man who hired me as Director of Horticulture 15 years ago . Bill , of course , left gigantic shoes to fill , but he also left an incredibly strong team — of dedicated staff and Trustees — to carry out our mission of preservation and service . He left us with two comprehensive documents — a pioneering Master Plan and a far-reaching Strategic Plan that provide clear direction as well as a framework for all of our future activities . We are working diligently to enhance the visitor experience , expand cemetery services , ensure the preservation of our buildings and structures , and be worthy stewards
David Barnett
of the natural and ornamental landscape . All of this will require continued — and in fact increased — funding , in terms of earned revenue and contributed support . Our endowment , like everyone ’ s , has suffered a considerable decline during the last year , and we will no doubt have to postpone some projects and delay implementing some of our ambitious goals . However , thanks to the diligence and dedication of our Trustees and the creativity and energy of our staff , we are still in sound financial condition . I am sure we will weather these relatively short-term difficulties and emerge even stronger as we plan for the next century and beyond .
Mount Auburn means so much to our visitors for so many different reasons , and I am excited to have the opportunity to lead this great institution and this great team forward . I hope that you will continue to visit Mount Auburn frequently , enjoying the beautiful landscape , the magnificent trees , the abundance of birds and other wildlife , the precious history , art and architecture — and perhaps visit the resting places of your loved ones . We are , after all , still very much an active cemetery , offering new interment space and providing cemetery services to families during their time of need .
In fact , the lead article in this Sweet Auburn discusses how monuments and other forms of commemoration have evolved throughout Mount Auburn ’ s history and how we are continuing to provide innovative options to families . Our newest interment landscape , Birch Gardens , just opened this past September and is the latest example of how we remain active and relevant as a cemetery by creating new burial and commemorative space while also preserving — and in fact enhancing — our beautiful and historically significant landscape . We have many other dynamic projects in our future , including the new Horticulture Center and Family Center presented on page 21 . I look forward to your continued support and interest in Mount Auburn .
David P . Barnett , President
pg . 10
pg . 18 pg . 20
PHOTO By Tom johnson