Memories in Stone: The Geology of Grave Markers of the Grove Street Cemetery
Over the course of its lengthy history, different types of stone have been utilized to mark the graves at the historic Grove Street Cemetery in New Haven. In many cases, the source of the stone can be traced to regional quarries, which have their own storied pasts. Daniel Coburn, adjunct professor of geology at Southern Connecticut State University, will present “Memories in Stone: The Geology of Grave Markers of the Grove Street Cemetery” at the Pardee-Morris House on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at 2 p.m.
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According to Coburn, the grave markers in the Grove Street Cemetery widely vary in their composition and character, which offers an opportunity to explore their distinctive geological differences. He notes this was principally a function of certain factors, namely, availability from local source quarries and evolving cultural trends. The fact that the stones were sourced from local quarries speaks to their importance as economic drivers but also illustrates a connection to the unique geology of the region.
Although the local quarries play a role, the focus of Coburn’s presentation is the unique differences in the types of stone that have been used. Different types of stone have distinctively different characteristics due to their genesis. “These characteristics were an important aspect in selecting the stone for the markers,” Coburn adds. “I’ll be discussing how the markers exhibit these characteristics and showcase their beauty and address how the type of stone is related to their susceptibility to degradation over time.”
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