Sweet Auburn: The Magazine of the Friends of Mount Auburn Mount Auburn as a Muse | Page 13

Joseph Story:
“Let us banish the thought that this
is to be a place of gloom. Let us
cultivate feelings and sentiments more
worthy of ourselves. Here let us erect
the memorials of our love, and our
gratitude, and our glory. Here let the
brave repose, who have died in the
cause of their country. Here let the
statesman rest, who has achieved the
victories of peace, not less renowned
than war. Here let genius find a home,
whether he has sung immortal strains, or has instructed with
still diviner eloquence. Here let learning and science, and the
teacher of the philosophy of nature come. Above all, here let
the benefactors of mankind, the good, the merciful, the meek,
the pure in heart, be congregated;
for to them belongs an undying praise.
And let us take comfort, nay, let us rejoice, that in future ages,
long after we are gathered to the generations of other days,
thousands of kindling hearts will here repeat the sublime
declaration, “Blessed are the dead, that die in the Lord, for
they rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.”
David Barnett:
As we stand here looking
toward the monument
erected in memory of
Joseph Story, who died
in 1845, I think it is fair to say that his wish on this very day 180 years ago
that Mount Auburn should not be a “place of gloom” has been realized.
Look around us! Almost every day I hear from someone telling me how much
they love coming to Mount Auburn because it is so beautiful and uplifting.
Story’s vision that “learning and science” should come here has also been
realized. The staff continues to use the most sustainable maintenance prac-
tices possible, utilizing current research information, and we continue to
expand our public educational programming on topics ranging from horticul-
ture to history to preservation.
Our founders envisioned a place both stirring and extraordinary, and I am
confident that in another 180 years Mount Auburn will still be a cemetery
and a place of comfort, beauty, and inspiration. I am proud to be part of such
an innovative and unique institution that continues to carry out the vision of
our founders and the stewardship of this evolving landscape. Thank you so
much for coming this evening to help us celebrate this occasion!
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