What is it About Mount Hope?

Mount Hope Cemetery has been one of Rochester's greatest treasures for generations.  The first time I went there to take pictures I was a teenager.  I instantly fell in love with the place and I have been taking pictures there for about 20 years now.  I have wanted to do a photo project on Mount Hope for a very long time now because there is so much I wonder about as I walk around and capture the beautiful landscape.  I wonder who the people are on those forgotten Indian Trails.  I wonder about the traditions in which people here were buried and the meanings behind their stones.  So I am taking the cemetery piece by piece and investigating the people, and the history of this Rochester landmark.

Here is a link to some basic history about Mount Hope Cemetery:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Hope_Cemetery_(Rochester)

We will be discovering much more as we explore the cemetery together through this blog.  Here are some of my favorite pictures I have taken here over the years:

                                                   This is the gravestone of Noel, the daughter of a very good friend of mine. 

                                       Even in present day this cemetery serves as a final resting place for some of Rochester's most special people.

                                Mt. Hope is enjoyable in all seasons.  I like how the blue early spring sky contrasts with the barren trees.

                                         A feast for the eyes. I am often in awe of the sheer number of beautiful landscapes that can be found here.

                                 One of my goals in this project is to find out what this monument is about and why people are leaving money there.

                                             Just the expressions on the faces of the sculptures are something to behold in this stunning place.