Recommended Reading, Favorite Places, and Links
Death books -- my favorite!
Let's start with books, shall we? I am an avid reader of nearly anything (I try to avoid romantic paperbacks) so I'll list some must-reads here that pertain to history, Missouri, ghosts, haunted houses, death, and the like.
Stories in Stone - A Field Guide to Cemetery Symbolism and Iconography by Douglas Keister
This is my absolute go-to book when cemetery wandering. Full glossy pages and images cover every headstone imagery you happen across. Includes an extensive index to search for a specific symbol. And it's available on Kindle!
Cemetery Stories by Katherine Ramsland
I had the pleasure of investigating beside Katherine in beautiful Savannah, Georgia and was star struck because of this book. I even brought my copy to be signed but failed to do so because I didn't want to be the adoring fan pestering for an autograph. Katherine blew me away with the amount of information presented in Cemetery Stories and it helped me better understand the business of burying the dead. I even loaned it to a funeral director friend who also loved reading it. If you adore cemeteries, are curious about what happens after death, or you are fascinated by anything post-mortem -- you must read this book.
Tainted Legacy by S. Kay Murphy
Written by a very dear friend, Kay's journey to learn about her great grandmother - Bertha Gifford, and ultimately about herself makes this book difficult to put down. A true account of arsenic, mystery, and murder in a rural Missouri community, Kay's quest to find the truth about her family is full of emotion and her writing style will make you feel as if you are with her on this sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes humorous search. It gives the reader that feeling of snooping through someone's private journal and you will develop a personal attachment as the story unfolds. If you love history, mystery, murder, and Missouri - please grab this one and you can thank me later.
Beyond the Dark Veil by The Thanatos Archive
A beautifully crafted and curated look at Victorian era post-mortem and mourning photography, culled from the vast collection of Jack Mord (owner of The Thanatos Archive). If you have a morbid fascination with death, this will be a highly treasured piece for your collection.
Stories in Stone - A Field Guide to Cemetery Symbolism and Iconography by Douglas Keister
This is my absolute go-to book when cemetery wandering. Full glossy pages and images cover every headstone imagery you happen across. Includes an extensive index to search for a specific symbol. And it's available on Kindle!
Cemetery Stories by Katherine Ramsland
I had the pleasure of investigating beside Katherine in beautiful Savannah, Georgia and was star struck because of this book. I even brought my copy to be signed but failed to do so because I didn't want to be the adoring fan pestering for an autograph. Katherine blew me away with the amount of information presented in Cemetery Stories and it helped me better understand the business of burying the dead. I even loaned it to a funeral director friend who also loved reading it. If you adore cemeteries, are curious about what happens after death, or you are fascinated by anything post-mortem -- you must read this book.
Tainted Legacy by S. Kay Murphy
Written by a very dear friend, Kay's journey to learn about her great grandmother - Bertha Gifford, and ultimately about herself makes this book difficult to put down. A true account of arsenic, mystery, and murder in a rural Missouri community, Kay's quest to find the truth about her family is full of emotion and her writing style will make you feel as if you are with her on this sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes humorous search. It gives the reader that feeling of snooping through someone's private journal and you will develop a personal attachment as the story unfolds. If you love history, mystery, murder, and Missouri - please grab this one and you can thank me later.
Beyond the Dark Veil by The Thanatos Archive
A beautifully crafted and curated look at Victorian era post-mortem and mourning photography, culled from the vast collection of Jack Mord (owner of The Thanatos Archive). If you have a morbid fascination with death, this will be a highly treasured piece for your collection.
Links
(Want your site included here? Send me an email with the link and tell me why it would fit in nicely on this page.)
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When I'm working on a genealogy project one of the first places I look online is Find a Grave. Wonderful tool to use when searching for someone's burial place. Content added by volunteers, and you can sign up for free to add your own research. The first photos I ever looked at of my 2nd great grandparents are posted on their memorial pages. LOVE! Even if you aren't into genealogy, this is a very interesting site.
www.FindaGrave.com A lovely little community just a short train ride from STL where I spend a lot of time. Washington, Missouri is the ideal location for a day trip or weekend getaway. It's beautiful and one of my favorite places to visit. www.washmo.org Distilled History -- A Drinking Blog with a History Problem. One of my new favorite local websites. What would Saint Louis history be without a splash of alcohol? Pour yourself a drink and indulge in some of the city's colorful past.
www.distilledhistory.com |
My love of historic structures and the desire to preserve them led me to this group. Truly a wonderful bunch of hard working people who are dedicated to saving Missouri's history. From the website: "The Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation, (Missouri Preservation) is Missouri's only statewide, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, supporting, and coordinating historic preservation activities throughout the State."
I adore MoPres. www.preservemo.org Nestled among the cold, industrial scenery in North St. Louis County, Bellefontaine Cemetery stands as a tribute to the bygone era of creating park-like settings for the living and the dead. Among the dead, you'll find brewmasters, medical professionals, tycoons, and society's elite. You will also find strong women who changed the world and oftentimes broke the rules, Civil War patriots, poets, dreamers, and explorers. Be prepared to spend all day gazing at breathtaking monuments and enjoying the peaceful scenery. www.BellefontaineCemetery.org |
Need to get away from it all? I highly recommend a visit to YMCA's Trout Lodge. History and nature abound in this quiet retreat just 90 minutes from Saint Louis. The grounds hold two historic cemeteries, for my fellow taphophiles. Also, I do classes here on occasion about ghosts, graveyards, and meditation.
www.ymcaoftheozarks.org Looking for a unique location to host your reception or party? Let me introduce you to the Washington Brewery Banquet Hall. This beautiful venue is located on the top floor of the historic Busch Brewery in Washington, Missouri. Conveniently located just 50 miles west of Saint Louis with Amtrak service within walking distance. Washington Brewery Banquet Hall |
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