This is part “Old Burial Hill” a historic site in Huntington New York. It is a final resting place of local “Revolutionary War” and later soldiers and sailors. Although I will only show you the cemetery part of this historic place there is also Fort Golgotha which now houses the “Soldiers and Sailors Museum. Fort Golgotha overlooks what is now known as Huntington Harbor and The Long Island Sound from high atop “Old Burial Hill”. If you want a brief history on this site I have included a wikipedia link – Here
Here are some of the amazingly old cast iron headstones. I have never seen any like these before.
Here is one of them is for a local sailor that was lost at sea on the Steam Ship Pacific in 1856.
Some of the fragile old headstones are leaning forward from their footings and many of them are broken in half.
Some of the headstones are so old and fragile and have growing moss on them.
Here is one soldiers headstone from 1789. He lived until the ripe old age of 68 which was remarkable in those days.
I know walking through a cemetery might seem “creepy” to some but I really got a feeling of American history from reading some of the headstones I came across and thinking about all of the brave souls who fought so gallantly for our freedom.
All images were taken with a Fujifilm X-T1 camera and Fujinon XF 23mm f/1.4 R and XF 56mm f/1.2 R Lenses.
The Visual Chronicle 
Not creepy at all, Joe. I love the history to be found and the stories to be learned in cemeteries, new and old. This one is so full of character and unique finds – the iron headstones are amazing. Your photos capture all the wonderful details beautifully.
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Thank you for your kind words Stacy 🙂
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Beautiful photoset Joe – and I don’t think cemeteries are creepy at all – well, one or two maybe (at dark, when you are alone, and when that owl is hooting)…but seriously, I find them incredibly sad places and these photos are very poignant.
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Thank you very much James 🙂 I think an owl and dark would push me over the top also, LOL.
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What a wonderful post sharing a piece of history! The old headstones are so beautiful! Really great photos Joe, I love the black and white one where the headstones are all lined up and some leaning forward, and there is a lovely line of shadows. There’s something wonderful about walking in a cemetery and feeling the bits of history, or the presence of dear people who have left our lives.
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Thank you very much Elina 🙂
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I remember that place. It still gives me an erie feeling just looking at the photos of it. The dates on the tombstones brought to mind that new TV series, Sleepy Hollow, with Ichabod Craine emerging from his grave in the very beginning. Nice work Joe! A nice capture of American History!
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Thank you Gale 🙂 It’s funny you mentioned Sleepy Hollow we went up there last autumn and it is beautiful, even the cemetery.
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Great photos. There is so much history there. 😀
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Thank you very much Raewyn, I love places like this 🙂
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Whenever we travel- even on a day trip- we are constantly on the look out for older cemeteries. So much history there. I have never seen iron headstones either. And I hate the type where the headstone is flat on the ground. I feel disrespectful when I am in a cemetery such as that and look down to realize I am standing on someone’s chest. Now that’s creepy! Looking through your photos I kept thinking any one of these would be great for Monochromia.
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Thank you very much Emilio 🙂 I might surprise you on Monochromia tomorrow 🙂
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Well, now it won’t be much of a surprise, will it? Unless you post something in color, I suppose.
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Good point !
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Great shots! I’ve never seen iron headstones. My parents’, brother’s, and oldest sister’s headstones (all of the flat-on-the-ground variety) are bronze, which should last longer. But, really, after a hundred years or so, who’s paying attention?
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Thank you Daniel 🙂 This is the first time I have seen iron headstones also usually around this area they are marble, granite or bronze flat on the ground type like you mentioned.
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Are any laws in the States forbidding the cemeteries to be reconstructed or restored to keep them in good shape. I am sure their relatives wouldn’t mind. I had never seen metallic structures like the ones you depicted in this part of the world. If properly cared for they will be here for a very long time.
Great work!
Bye,
Omar.-
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Thank you very much Omar. As far as I know there are no laws to prevent cemeteries from being restored especially historical ones. I was pretty amazed at the iron headstones also 🙂
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I love cemeteries … there’s a feeling of connectedness there and it always makes me wonder about the lives of those who came before us. I’ve never seen head-stones like this either – they are quite striking.
The last one seems to be special – it’s older than the others, but better preserved like someone is taking care of it. Do you know what the letters on the emblem beside it mean?
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Thank you very much Joanne 🙂 The marker stands for Sons of the American Revolution and I was quite taken by that headstone also.
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I love this post! Of course it goes without saying that the photography is incredible (those shadows!), but I love the history as well. It’s so important that we caretake the remnants of history. Old Burial Hill appears to be well cared for and I’m glad to see it. I’ve got a book about the history of New York that I’ve been meaning to pick up … this inspires me to get on it!
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Thank you very much Laurie 🙂 I believe it is important to maintain historical places also but sometimes we in America have a hard time allocating funds to do this. Without a historical trail from where we came we have nothing. Considering America is less than 240 years young I would say the Europeans have done a magnificent job maintaining their historical sites such as the Coliseum in Rome being 1000’s of years old.
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Why should visiting a cemetary with the intent to take pictures to tell a story (if only to keep it alive) should be considered “creepy”?
I never received any negative while walking through a cemetary taking photos in the past. People often are interested in what I’m doing there but upon explaining my intent (looking for a story, a picturesque scene, or whatever applies at that moment), I always received a smile.
As long as you show due respect in both behaviour and resulting work, I do not see anything offending in taking photos at a cemetary, especially at a war cemetary.
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Thank you very much for taking the time to comment 🙂 I don’t think cemeteries are “creepy” but some people do. Last year I visited Sleepy Hollow cemetery in upstate New York and it way one of the most beautiful and historic places I have ever seen. I agree with you as far as showing respect in both behavior and resulting work.
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