REUTERS / Peter Andrews
If all goes as planned at Olinger Crown Hill Cemetery in Colorado, visitors won’t just be coming for the mourning; they’ll also be sticking around for the dancing. (via The Denver Post)
“This is part of the way in which cemeteries have been sprucing themselves up,” Marilyn Yalom told the Post. Yalom is the author of The American Resting Place, a 400-year history of American cemeteries, and she was reacting to the news of plans at Olinger Crown Hill to add concerts, art exhibitions and performance halls to the grounds.
The goal: To draw more foot traffic to graveyards, all by making them seem a little more happening.
Olinger Crown Hill Cemetary isn’t the only Denver cemetary trying to branch out. Across town at Denver’s Fairmount Cemetary, one can find “First Friday” social events. Even summer potlucks.
The Post’s Douglas Brown says the transformation is steeped in both history and community, aiming to help locals realize that cemeteries are a great place to congregate and learn about, as well as honor, the past.