|
Eastern Cemetery in the spring, photo by D. Turicek |
|
|
Pink Petals on Funeral Lane—the 2026 Season Is Here! |
|
|
Welcome to the 2026 season. We hope to see you inside the gates this year, whether you’re strolling the grounds as a tourist or lending a hand as a volunteer. |
|
|
|
Monday, May 25
11am to 12pm |
|
|
Freedom is not free, but this tour is! Just show up at the gates. We’ll meet these who shaped a nation, hear their stories where they rest, and discover the revolutionary spirit etched in stone. Join us for this celebratory walk honoring those who came before. Note: We may cancel if it’s raining. |
|
|
|
|
We are the only cemetery in Maine that has daily walking tours. Join us for an informative jaunt through the stones with a knowledgeable and trained volunteer guide. Tour groups are small and allow time for questions. $10 per person. More: spiritsalive.org/tours/index.htm |
|
|
|
|
We will soon be rolling out our stone conservation workday schedule. We are currently finalizing the scope of the project and will share a full breakdown of what to expect, timing, and how you can get involved. If you want to be added to our conservation email list, let us know: easterncemetery@gmail.com More: spiritsalive.org/stones/conserve |
|
|
|
|
| Nathaniel’s slate head stone, photo by Patricia Turner |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Captain Nathaniel Dyer’s slate grave marker can be found in Section B, Row 11, Plot 7. He died in 1823 at the age of 73; his wife Hannah predeceased him by 8 years and was buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in South Portland. Though their gravestones are in different cemeteries, they came from the same stone shop, as each features the telltale lettering and motifs of their makers (Hannah’s Find a Grave). Nathaniel’s stone was carved by shop owner Bartlett Adams and Hannah’s was made by Bartlett’s nephew Alvan Washburn. |
|
|
In memory of Capt. NATHANIEL DYER died March 22, 1823. AEt. 73. “The hour is coming in the which all that are in
Their graces shall hear his voice, and come forth.” |
|
|
Nathaniel’s descendent tells us that he was a shipbuilder in Portland. He built a brick home overlooking his shipyard that still stands on York Street and is on the National Register of Historic Places. He christened one of his ships the Rebecca for his daughter Rebecca (Dyer) Howell. She was one of about 10 children born to Nathaniel and Hannah. Though Rebecca and two of her children are also buried Eastern Cemetery, their graves are not near Nathaniel’s. But Nathaniel does not rest alone! Just beside him is a small eroding marble gravestone shared by two of his grandsons, Jabez and John Dyer. |
|
|
Nathaniel’s stone is quite typical for the period, but has well-survived the harsh Maine winters over the past 200 years. We’re glad to share a bit of his story with you, thanks to Patricia Turner, who also provided the photo of the stone at Eastern Cemetery. |
|
|
|
|
|
Leana greets volunteers on Funeral Lane in 2006, photo by V. Turcott |
|
|
|
20 years ago, a small group of cemetery, gardening, and history enthusiasts gathered under the direction of Christina White to form Spirits Alive. Thank you to all of our volunteers over the years who have helped us protect, preserve, promote, and provide education about this sacred and historic outdoor museum, the Eastern Cemetery. Check out this timeline of special Spirits Alive Milestones we’ve marked over these decades. Much of this work continues today. |
|
|
|
|
|
Guess what cemetery fan group has its own shirts, caps, playing cards, and tote bags? Spirits Alive does, that’s who! Visit us on Zazzle to view all of our products. Please know that proceeds go directly back to Spirits Alive to help us fund our work to keep the Eastern Cemetery cared for and to teach others about its wonders. |
|
|
|
Support Eastern CemeteryYou can help Spirits Alive keep the Eastern Cemetery alive for generations to come. Through your support, you can help us, an ALL-VOLUNTEER organization, to continue to: Keep the gates open – encouraging the community to explore its open and safe green space Offer education about the cemetery and its residents to the public – through tours, lectures, and events Encourage and support the city in keeping the site clean and safe for visitors of all ages Preserve this incredible outdoor museum and sacred historic landscape
|
|
|
|
|
For 20 years, Spirits Alive, a non-profit, all-volunteer organization, has been dedicated to the protection and preservation of Portland, Maine’s historic Eastern Cemetery through a range of activities including promotion and education. |
|
|
