Hope Cemetery, Barre, Vermont

The cemetery,on VT Route 14 just 8/10 mile (1.1 km) north of US Route 302 in Barre VT, has two gates, and is open until sunset. We speak of making "monuments to survive ourselves," and in Barre the phrase is literal!

Stonecutters here create the monument of their dreams for their own resting places.

You'll see a balanced granite cube resting precariously on one corner, self-portraits and statues, a ponderous granite armchair, even a relief of a husband and wife sitting up in bed, hands joined in eternal friendship.

Hope Cemetery is more like a sculpture garden, a touching and artistic memorial to artisans and artists who came here from Scotland, Italy and other parts of the world to work the excellent stone.