Guelph Museums host walk through local cemetery
On Sun, Sept. 18, Guelph Museums led a Spirit Walk through Woodlawn Memorial Park as a way of displaying the history surrounding the cemetery. Those who embarked on the walk were taught about the history of the grounds, which were bought in 1854 following legislation that ruled cemeteries could no longer be constructed within the town. Select biographies of those buried in the cemetery were presented as monologues by local actors letting the spirits themselves—in a way—tell their stories.
The notable Guelphites ranged from local businessmen, missionaries, politicians, and herbalists. Their biographies demonstrated the changing face of the community throughout the years, showcasing the impact of Scottish immigration and the development of Guelph’s economy. Additionally, their biographies highlighted parts of history not widely taught. For example, two of the spirits portrayed during the walk had emigrated from Scotland to Venezuela before settling in Guelph as part of a failed settlement expedition.
Other resting places served as reminders of the ways that society has changed over the years. At the James Watt family plot, it can be seen that four of his children had passed away between the years 1873 to 1888. Three of the children had died under the age of two; one death was caused by inflammation and the other two by teething. Conversely, Elizabeth Jane Fry lived to be 99, a remarkable age in 1893 when she passed. She swore by the herbal medicines she sold for her longevity.
Notable resting places within the cemetery include the burial grounds for the McCrae family, with a memorial for John McCrae, author of “In Flanders Fields.” Additionally, the final resting place of Albert Thomason is located in the park with a gravestone that reads: “Shot at work.” His murder is considered one of the great unsolved crimes of the city.
Beyond the history taught along the walk, unusual monuments were pointed out and explained. Creative headstones are encouraged within the cemetery to reflect the uniqueness of each life that has passed. Some of these monuments include favourite pets carved into headstones and a headstone created from granite found on a family farm with music notes carved into the face.
Though the Spirit Walk only took place for one day, the memorial park welcomes visitors and their dogs on weekdays. The park, which has nearly doubled in size since 1854, covers more than 80 acres and serves as an urban forest.
The Spirit Walk reminds us that the cemetery is not only a place of mourning, but also a celebration of the lives who have shaped our community today.
Photo by Karen K. Tran.