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Indian Hill Cemetery: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 41°33′21″N 72°39′49″W / 41.5557°N 72.6636°W / 41.5557; -72.6636
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The hill was originally named "''Wunne Wah Jet''" by the [[Wangunk]] indigenous people who lived in Middletown.<ref name=Dominguez>{{cite web |last1=Dominguez |first1=Diana |title=Indian Hill Cemetery and the Vernacular of the Times |url=https://connecticuthistory.org/indian-hill-cemetery-and-the-vernacular-of-the-times/ |website=www.connecticuthistory.org |accessdate=14 July 2019}}</ref> The Wangunk built fortifications on the hill around 1639 to protect against enemy tribes and European settlers for Sowheage, a grand [[sachem]] in the tribe.<ref>{{cite web |title=ASK THE COURANT |url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2000-01-24-0001240172-story.html |website=www.courant.com |accessdate=14 July 2019}}</ref> Over time, the Wangunk sold much of the surrounding land to settlers but kept the hill parcel for themselves. The Wangunk and settlers lived peacefully together for many decades but the hill parcel was eventually sold to settlers in the late 1700's.<ref>{{cite web |title=Indian Hill Cemetery |url=https://www.ctmq.org/12-indian-hill-cemetery/ |website=www.ctmq.org |accessdate=14 July 2019}}</ref>
The hill was originally named "''Wunne Wah Jet''" by the [[Wangunk]] indigenous people who lived in Middletown.<ref name=Dominguez>{{cite web |last1=Dominguez |first1=Diana |title=Indian Hill Cemetery and the Vernacular of the Times |url=https://connecticuthistory.org/indian-hill-cemetery-and-the-vernacular-of-the-times/ |website=www.connecticuthistory.org |accessdate=14 July 2019}}</ref> The Wangunk built fortifications on the hill around 1639 to protect against enemy tribes and European settlers for Sowheage, a grand [[sachem]] in the tribe.<ref>{{cite web |title=ASK THE COURANT |url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2000-01-24-0001240172-story.html |website=www.courant.com |accessdate=14 July 2019}}</ref> Over time, the Wangunk sold much of the surrounding land to settlers but kept the hill parcel for themselves. The Wangunk and settlers lived peacefully together for many decades but the hill parcel was eventually sold to settlers in the late 1700's.<ref>{{cite web |title=Indian Hill Cemetery |url=https://www.ctmq.org/12-indian-hill-cemetery/ |website=www.ctmq.org |accessdate=14 July 2019}}</ref>


The cemetery was developed as part of the American Beautiful movement which promoted the development of rural environments and landscapes for public spaces including cemeteries.
The cemetery was developed as part of the American Beautiful movement which promoted the development of rural environments and landscapes for public spaces including cemeteries. After the [[yellow fever]] epidemic of 1841, rural cemeteries were thought to be more hygenic since they were located on the outskirts of cities.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Warren |first1=Abby |title=Indian Hill, Unearthed: A Cemetery's Roots |url=http://wesleyanargus.com/2015/10/19/indian-hill/ |website=www.wesleyanargus.com |accessdate=14 July 2019}}</ref>


The Indian Hill Cemetery was dedicated on September 30, 1850<ref name=Dominguez/> and became the burial site of choice for Middletown's elite.<ref>{{cite web |title=Indian Hill Cemetery - Welcome |url=http://indian-hill.org/ |website=www.indian-hill.org |accessdate=14 July 2019}}</ref>
The Indian Hill Cemetery was dedicated on September 30, 1850<ref name=Dominguez/> and became the burial site of choice for Middletown's elite.<ref>{{cite web |title=Indian Hill Cemetery - Welcome |url=http://indian-hill.org/ |website=www.indian-hill.org |accessdate=14 July 2019}}</ref>

Revision as of 16:07, 14 July 2019

Indian Hill Cemetery
Map
Details
Established1850
Location
CountryUnited States
Typeprivate
Size40 acres
Websitewww.indian-hill.org
Find a GraveIndian Hill Cemetery
Russell Chapel

Indian Hill Cemetery is a historic rural cemetery located at 383 Washington Street in Middletown, Connecticut on a hill adjacent to Wesleyan University.[1]

History

The hill was originally named "Wunne Wah Jet" by the Wangunk indigenous people who lived in Middletown.[2] The Wangunk built fortifications on the hill around 1639 to protect against enemy tribes and European settlers for Sowheage, a grand sachem in the tribe.[3] Over time, the Wangunk sold much of the surrounding land to settlers but kept the hill parcel for themselves. The Wangunk and settlers lived peacefully together for many decades but the hill parcel was eventually sold to settlers in the late 1700's.[4]

The cemetery was developed as part of the American Beautiful movement which promoted the development of rural environments and landscapes for public spaces including cemeteries. After the yellow fever epidemic of 1841, rural cemeteries were thought to be more hygenic since they were located on the outskirts of cities.[5]

The Indian Hill Cemetery was dedicated on September 30, 1850[2] and became the burial site of choice for Middletown's elite.[6]

Russell Chapel

The brownstone gothic revival Russell Chapel was built in 1867. Samuel Russell was a businessman who owned the Russell & Company trading business in Canton, China.[7] He was the first president of the Indian Hill Cemetery Association and the chapel was built by his wife in his memory.[8]

The chapel houses the original bell forged at the Troy, New York Meneely Bell Foundry in 1868.[7]

Notable burials

Gravestone monument for Joseph K. Mansfield

References

  1. ^ "Indian Hill Cemetery - About Us". www.indian-hill.org. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  2. ^ a b Dominguez, Diana. "Indian Hill Cemetery and the Vernacular of the Times". www.connecticuthistory.org. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  3. ^ "ASK THE COURANT". www.courant.com. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  4. ^ "Indian Hill Cemetery". www.ctmq.org. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  5. ^ Warren, Abby. "Indian Hill, Unearthed: A Cemetery's Roots". www.wesleyanargus.com. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  6. ^ "Indian Hill Cemetery - Welcome". www.indian-hill.org. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  7. ^ a b "Indian Hill Cemetery - Chapel Rehabilitation". www.indian-hill.org. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  8. ^ Sherman, Roger. "Historic Resources Inventory Form For Buildings and Structures". www.cityofmiddletown.com. Retrieved 14 July 2019.


41°33′21″N 72°39′49″W / 41.5557°N 72.6636°W / 41.5557; -72.6636