September 30-October 6, 2004

mixpicks

Dead Space

by Tami Fertig

Nothing quite detracts from the rustic charm of a dilapidated cemetery like trying to find a deceased relative's grave in a neglected bit of land. But don't throw in the towel yet. This weekend, the recently formed Philadelphia Area Historic Cemeteries Consortium—a handful of conscientious folks with a common purpose to "preserve cemeteries the way you'd preserve a Victorian house," says member Michael Brooks—holds its first public event, "The Days of the Dead: A Celebration of the Region's Historic Cemeteries." Isn't it time you got to know your neighborhood haunts? Though there'll be talks and guided tours in burial grounds near and far, don't kill yourself trying to get to them all. Do make sure to see the highlights: a talk on life and death during the Yellow Fever of 1793 (Sat., Oct. 2, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun., Oct. 3, noon-5 p.m., $1-$2 suggested, Christ Church Burial Ground, Fifth and Arch sts., 215-922-1695, www.oldchristchurch.org); a walking tour of the monuments and mausoleums for recovered bodies and survivors of the Titanic (Sun., Oct. 3, 2 p.m., $15 suggested, Laurel Hill Cemetery, 3822 Ridge Ave., reservations suggested, 215-228-8200); a find-the-tomb scavenger hunt and tour of the amazing 18th-century Woodlands Mansion (Sun., Oct. 3, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. scavenger hunt, 3:30 p.m. tour, free, Woodlands Cemetery, 4000 Woodland Ave., 215-386-2181) and, perhaps the most noble of all, a guided bus tour of Camden's endangered cemeteries, catering to family historians fearful of exploring on their own (Sun., Oct. 3, 10:15 a.m.-4 p.m., $15, bus departs from PATCO's Westmont Sta., reservations required, 856-964-3333).