As the fall season creeps up on us and the crowds begin to flock to the Greater Salem area, we have some thoughts we wanted to share about proper visitation of Historic memorials and cemeteries.
While we realize that many visitors like to leave mementos to show their care and well-wishes, some of these seemingly harmless tokens can sometimes cause real damage. While we can’t speak for other sites, we just ask that in the future, while visiting The Nurse Family cemetery, and Witch Victims Memorial in Danvers, you try to follow these guidelines.
Also, please be aware that in Massachusetts, grave rubbings are illegal and prohibited by state law and municipal ordinances. The pressure and material from grave rubbings can damage the stone’s surface, causing etching, flaking, or accelerating deterioration, especially on historic gravestones. Massachusetts General Law Chapter 272, Section 73 makes it a crime to damage or injure a grave or monument, and Chapter 272, Section 74 prohibits the desecration of a burial place. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) suggests using a raking light or a flashlight to illuminate inscriptions and then photographing them instead of doing a rubbing.
THINK ABOUT YOUR IMPACT
Please do not leave:
- Perishable items like food; this includes pumpkins. These items rot and decay, draw insects and/or rodents which end up making a huge mess and potentially staining the stones or monuments they are placed on.
- Other items like wax candles, glass bottles, or plastic wrapped flower bouquets; these items eventually degrade, get broken or blown around essentially becoming litter. (If you really would like to leave flowers, remove the plastic wrappings and lay them on the grass or ground in front of the stones)
- Coins, or other metal items shoved between the stones on our monument. Over the past few years we have noticed large amounts of money (we have collected over $50 just in metal coins) shoved into gaps or small cracks in our monument which have caused permanent staining and large divots in the stone which now allow water to collect causing mildew to form.
The amount of money that we had to pry off of our 1885 granite obelisk dedicated to Rebecca Nurse
Other items left on top of other gravestones or shoved into the crevices of the granite obelisk
We often see people leaving items without knowing why they are doing it other than seeing that others have done so before them so we also wanted to provide a little context for those who are interested. Historically there are lots of traditions people are familiar with like leaving flowers but other traditions include leaving stones or rocks on a grave; you can read more about it HERE
Leaving different denominations of coins is a common military tradition which you can read more about HERE
While all of these traditions are all beautiful sentiments, the best way to show you care is simply to visit, pay your respects, and leave the space as you found it.
A Shared Responsibility
Historic cemeteries & monuments serve as outdoor museums, preserving not just the memory of those laid to rest, but also the artistic and cultural heritage of past generations. The elaborate Victorian monuments, simple Puritan markers, and memorial stones each represent irreplaceable pieces of our collective history.
By following these guidelines, visitors help ensure that future generations can continue to connect with this important part of Massachusetts’ heritage. These sites depend on the cooperation and respect of every visitor to maintain their dignity and historical integrity.
Your thoughtful approach to cemetery visitation honors both the deceased and the living community that works to preserve these sacred spaces. Together, we can protect these historic treasures while still allowing for meaningful visits and remembrance.