Graves of Upstate New York: A Guide to 100 Notable Resting Places, Second Edition

by Chuck D'Imperio

Graves of Upstate New York presents a fascinating look at the lives and deaths of 100 legendary Americans who are laid to rest in Upstate New York. D’Imperio takes readers on a journey across the state, visiting an array of famous New York grave sites, from Mark Twain, Harriet Tubman, and James Fenimore Cooper to Helen Hayes, Lucille Ball, four US presidents, a Kentucky Derby–winning horse, and the most famous one-legged tap dancer in the world. D’Imperio tells the story of each individual, along with photographs and detailed information about the cemetery. From West Point to Lake Placid to Buffalo and all points north, south, east, and west, Graves of Upstate New York offers a cultural tour across the great expanse of Upstate New York in search of its famous residents and their lasting legacies.

Genres: History

345 pages, Paperback

Published March 8, 2018

Reviews

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book received from Edelweiss

This book was an instant favorite. I love books about where the historical figures are buried. No matter where I travel, I always end up visiting at least one cemetery. We've gone through some of the areas mentioned in this book multiple times, whether on our way to visit Niagara Falls or on our trips to New England. I will definitely be buying a copy of this for my own library so I can have it on future trips. There are definitely a few people I'd like to pay my respects to, from former Presidents to entertainers. It's a very unusual travel guide but I know a few people out there who would enjoy this.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite the subject - gravestones and mausoleums - this was actually a very interesting and entertaining book to read. And very quick to read. Chapters are only a couple pages long so it's easy to read a couple, put it down and come back later without worrying about losing the story line.

Separated into the different regions of upstate New York - basically anywhere in New York State and not in New York City environs - each of the 100 chapters have:
The person's name
Birth and death year
Nickname or what they are known for
Where they are buried and which county
Then a short history of the person, a picture of their gravestone or mausoleum, the actual grave location within the cemetery, author's notes, an interesting factoid and where you can get more information.

There are several pictures of the outside of the mausoleum or chapels when - as he said - "I did not take a photograph of the interior out of respect for the solemnity of the location."

Some absolutely dazzling artwork accompanies some of these monuments and a picture is simply a teaser. That and they are three-dimensional structures and the photos can - obviously - only provide one viewpoint.

I know that there are hundreds of thousands of people interested in the art of gravestones as well as investigated ancestors and relatives so this would be a great book to have when exploring the more obvious or more obscure cemeteries.

I am sort of curious how he chose the people to include. Did he find people supposed to have been buried in New York and look for graves - which I know he did in at least one circumstance as he described the difficulty he had in finding the cemetery and how neglected the area was - or if he wandered through cemeteries and took note the people within and later investigated if they made a significant mark in American history. Personally, I think it's a bit of both.

[J Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graves of Upstate New York by Chuck D'imperio is a wonderful resource for those, like myself, who enjoy visiting cemeteries in general and grave sites of notable people in particular. Don't worry, this is nothing like the various guides you might find in some places that border on disrespectful.

Each site is accompanied by a short piece about the person as well as a photograph or two. D'imperio showed the utmost respect at any location where photography might be seen as questionable. So the picture may be the outside of the church rather than inside, or the outside of the mausoleum. Since many of these notables have complete biographies the short entry is mostly a couple highlights of the person's life, which serves the purpose quite well. There is also directions on finding the site as well as any note or factoid of interest in the area and a place to find more information about the site and/or the person.

Whether you're visiting the area or live in New York this will be a fun and useful addition to any trip, whether a day trip or a vacation to or through the area.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via Edelweiss.

[Dick Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

While a somewhat odd choice for a book - 100 graves from Upstate New York, each picture with a short biography of the subject - the book is strangely satisfying and told me to go to more cemeteries and graveyards. Now, if you know the difference between a cemetery and a graveyard, I know you will enjoy this book.

[Amy Cobb-mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hit the highlights of this book. Did you know 4 presidents are buried in NYS? And 3 of them are in the Hudson valley? Loved all the stories and history told in this book. Definitely worth the time to read it. Makes me want to take cemetery tours!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only disappointment is that there’s no mention of the grave of Ruth Cruger whose murder was solved by female attorney Grace Humiston (“Mrs Sherlock Holmes”). It’s in Valhalla, so should be upstate enough. Otherwise, really interesting!

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book definitely added a bunch of new pins into my Google Maps. But I would suggest that addendum additions include Blanche Stuart Scott, Margaret Woodbury Strong, Louise Brooks, Emily Sibley Watson, and especially Carl Sagan.

[Meg Perin · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Abolitionist to Writer, many famous people are buried in New York State.