Steampunk Graveyard Stroll

The Smiths sang, “A dreaded sunny day, so let’s go where we’re wanted and I meet you at the cemetery gates.” Steampunks, let’s meet at Graceland Cemetery and go strolling. We will meet up on Sunday August 21, 2016, at 12 pm the gates at 4001 N Clark Street (the Clark and Irving Park entrance).

Over the past few months we have gone for strolls along the 606, the Riverwalk, and to tall ships at Navy Pier. This time we will visit the historic cemetery and observe monuments to Chicago notables like Louis Sullivan, George Pullman, Allan Pinkerton, and Marshall Field. There are also eerie memorials, like the hooded Eternal Silence.

Thomas Bryan bought 80 acres of land to establish Graceland in 1860. In 1861, Chicago granted a charter in perpetuity. The area grew to 119 acres. In the 1870s, Ossian Simonds used native plants to enhance the Victorian park design. Owing the natural design, Graceland also has served as an arboretum. It balances life and death.

There are few rules to consider when visiting. Graceland requests that there is no stone rubbing, no filming (although still photographs with hand held cameras is acceptable, as long a there are no props used for “novelty” pictures), no painting, no climbing on trees or monuments and no sunbathing. Keep it respectful.

We look forward to seeing you at Graceland Cemetery on August 21. Considering the season, mourning black will not be required but encouraged.