Sweet Auburn: The Magazine of the Friends of Mount Auburn Mount Auburn as a Muse

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 Bree D. Harvey, Editor Vice President of External Affairs Lauren Marsh, Managing Editor Communications, Grants & Events Coordinator Jennifer J. Johnston, Photo Editor Media & Imaging Coordinator David P. Barnett, Contributing Editor President & CEO, Mount Auburn Cemetery William G. Barry, Jr. Vice President of Preservation & Facilities Jane M. Carroll Vice President of Development Dennis Collins Horticultural Curator Candace Currie Director of Planning & Sustainability Tom Johnson Family Services Coordinator Sean J. O’Regan Vice President of Cemetery Services Meg L . Winslow Curator of Historical Collections Designer Elizabeth Bonadies Printer P+R Publications Cover Photo: View of Forest Pond, Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, MA, attributed to Thomas Chambers c. 1840s. Inspired after an engraving by R. Brandard of a painting by William Henry Bartlett. Oil on canvas, 14-1/4 x 18-1/4 inches. Trustees of the Friends of Mount Auburn Widgie Aldrich, Secretary, Cambridge, MA David P. Barnett, Boxborough, MA Clemmie L. Cash, Chair, Wellesley, MA Thomas C. Cooper, Watertown, MA James F. Hunnewell, Jr., Chestnut Hill, MA Caroline Loughlin, Treasurer, Weston, MA Sean McDonnell, Cambridge Caroline Mortimer, Vice-Chair, 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) non-profit charitable trust, the Friends seeks financial support from its members, other individuals, foundations, corporations, and public agencies. It receives gifts for educational and inter- pretive 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 1,300 active members. 2 | Sweet Auburn President’s Corner September of 2011 was a very special month for me. September 1st marked the 18th anniversary of the day I joined the staff of the Cemetery as Director of Horticulture. On the 10th, I completed my third year as President and CEO. Then on the 24th I had the privilege, as Mount Auburn’s 12th president, of hosting a celebration of the 180th an- niversary of Mount Auburn’s founding (see article on page 8). On each of these dates many fond memories crossed my mind, and I thought a great deal about how fortunate I am to be part of such a significant institution and wonderful organization. But the day that was by far the most special and meaningful to me was Saturday, September 3rd. On that day my brother Larry got married to my brand new sister-in-law, Kim Smith. A wedding is always a special occasion, but this one occurred right here at Mount Auburn. While it was the 12th wedding we have hosted here in the past two years, it was the first in which I was personally involved. It gets even better. Kim and Larry asked me to officiate the wedding for them, and they obtained a one-day permit for me to act as justice of the peace. Our task then became to determine the perfect outdoor location for the ceremony. Kim’s family had never David Barnett (center) with his brother, Larry, and new been to Mount Auburn, and she sister-in-law, Kim, at the base of Washington Tower. wanted them to fully experience the beauty and inspirational qualities of the place. Her favorite spot was Consecration Dell, but Larry liked the view from the wildflower meadow at Washington Tower, so we came up with a plan. On the wedding day, our two immediate families gathered at Bigelow Chapel and walked to Consecration Dell, where I read a few excerpts from Joseph Story’s 1831 Consecration Address. His visionary words about Mount Auburn becoming a place to honor and remember the dead while it would also serve to inspire the living could not have been more fitting, as I then remembered the names of the family members we have lost. We raised our glasses to toast our loved ones, and though a few tears could be seen, we all knew they were there with us in spirit to witness Kim and Larry’s special day. From there our own spirits were quickly raised as we walked up the path through the woods to the base of the Tower on the top of Mount Auburn. Standing in the wildflower meadow, with the spectacular Boston skyline in the background, Larry and Kim said their vows and I happily pronounced them husband and wife. The merriment was extended as we climbed to the top of the Tower and then took the scenic route walking back to Bigelow Chapel via Auburn Lake, taking photos along the way. It was a wonderful day! When it came time to celebrate Mount Auburn’s 180th anniversary just three weeks later, it was so easy for me to say that we are, indeed, still carrying out the vision of our founders. I hope you enjoy reading in this issue how others have been inspired by Mount Auburn, and I encourage you to come by for a visit. The Cemetery is beautiful during every season, and there is nothing quite like the stirring simplicity of winter under a blanket of freshly fallen snow. David P. Barnett, President

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