at the cemetery symbol… · is a favourite motif of the late victorian and edwardian period and...

At the cemetery: Symbolism trail. Northern Cemetery, Dunedin.

Trail 1: Notes and maps for teachers.

Notes for Teachers about Trail 1 This trail can be used in a number of ways,

1. Used as a field trip activity for the memorialisation unit - developing an understanding of 19th and early 20th peoples beliefs and understandings. Use with trails 2 and 3.

2. Or alternatively • as an introductory activity when your class first arrives at the cemetery, • or used in conjunction with other student activities such as the mortality study areas.

3. This trail is close to and can be worked in conjunction with the mortality study areas 4, 5 and 6.

It is recommended that students see the cemetery symbolism slideshow. This slideshow explains much of the deeper meaning behind what they are looking at. The trail is intended to be used by students independently and with limited need to use a cemetery map to find the individual headstones. Alternatively, if teachers prefer, they can lead students around the trail using the following notes.

The trail provides a good introduction to cemetery symbolism and should be used to extend studentsʼ understanding of peoples need in Victorian and Edwardian times to create lasting memories through memorials. Strong themes evident in the trail are those describing kinship ties, and deep beliefs in

Christianity. There are also two headstones where students will encounter four deaths by shipwreck, and there is one other accidental death on the trail. Students will also encounter a murderess and her victim on this trail and a suicide. There is also a soldier commemorated on a family tombstone who lost in life in WW1.

At the cemetery: Symbolism trail - Northern Cemetery

Trail 2: Notes and maps for teachers. Understanding ʻolder theatres of memoryʼ

What is of interest?

1. Memorial 1: This unusual memorial commemorates the three Dunedin Stewardesses who lost their lives on the SS Wairarapa. The symbolism on this pedestal memorial includes a flaming urn, swags of flowers, and the dove of peace holding the downturned and extinguished torches.

2. The second memorial shows strong kinship ties. Students are asked to read the inscription and work out how those commemorated are related to one another. The use of half oak and half grape leaves is quite a common symbol. The tombstone is black granite and the decoration is etched. The decoration may once have been filled with silver-leaf to enhance the symbolism.

3. Memorial 3 (also pictured at left) is typically late Victorian religious symbolism. There is a draped urn surmount and a pall covering the pedestal. The flowers are passionflowers.

4. Memorials 4 and 20 are examples of the dove carrying the olive branch from the biblical story of Noah. The dove is a symbol, which has come to mean peace and goodwill.

5. Memorial 5 is a Latin cross encircled by ivy vines with a small scroll at the foot of the cross. The whole tableau means a clinging to faith and was suitable symbolism for a woman who was expected also to cling like a vine to her husband for support. The white marble now damaged from salts emerging from the stone

also signals a pure and constant heart. 6. Memorial 6 is quite a different memorial and belongs to an accident victim. Students may like to guess

what his occupation may have been. 7. Memorial 7 is most unusual in that both side of the stele stone have been utilised. Perhaps it was a

frugal measure. 8. Memorial 8 is a poignant headstone, which is now very hard to read. We can only read 8 weeks now

so we know it is a headstone for a baby. The tiny white marble cross and lily are symbols frequently used for children signifying purity.

At the cemetery: Symbolism trail. Northern Cemetery


What is of interest? (continued)

9. Memorial 9 – this memorial speaks the Victorian “language of flowers” and there are several examples of these in the Northern cemetery featuring different flowers. This memorial features the rose (fleeting life), the grape (the fruits of paradise or heaven), the English primrose (Benjamin Disraeliʼs favourite flower, symbolising earliness or youth) and the lily, (purity – the flower of the virgin Mary). The epitaph at the base of the inscription needs to be read with the flowers. If you are guiding a group of students around this trail, discuss with students what this might mean.

10. Memorial 10 is a sorrowing woman clinging to a cross and can also symbolise the virtue of faith. This is a favourite motif of the late Victorian and Edwardian period and often appeared on postcards. The motifs in combination with the epitaph and the ages of the individuals would indicate deep grief at the loss of young family members.

11. Memorial 11 is a damaged lamb. This symbol is usually found on memorials commemorating the very young. In this case it s not and may simply symbolise Christ as the Lamb of God..

12. Memorial 12 is the burial place of Thomas and Sarah Fogo. The symbol on this lovely old classical style headstone is a broken lily meaning a life cut short. Have students find out about Sarah Fogo from the Papers Past website as this is one of Dunedinʼs interesting stories.

13. Memorial 13 is a broken column also meaning a life cut short. This one commemorates a female and is adorned with “swags” of flowers.

14. Memorial 14 is an angel. The memorial commemorates a large number of members of the Bardsley family. Dan Bardsley who died 25 April 1915 met an accidental death in transit to or from the Middle East in WW1.



What is of interest? (continued)

15. Memorial 15 is Larnachʼs Tomb. Use the fact sheet included with this set of notes for further information about the Larnach family. In the activity for this trail students concentrate on the small plaque above the door. This is also a good example of the “language of flowers” showing lily of the valley (renewal, return of happiness), forget-me-nots (true Love), Scots thistle (crown of thorns & passion of Christ), English rose (brevity of life), and Irish shamrock (trinity). The last three also represent the national symbols of Great Britain.

16. Memorial 16. This unusual memorial depicts ferns, and English primroses. The fern is commonly used as a symbol on headstones for servicemen of the NZEF (WW1) and 2nd NZEF (WW2). Another unusual feature on this memorial are the inverted torches indicating life is extinguished. The motif is not common but is also featured on the first memorial on this trail.

17. Memorial 17 features a dove with an olive twig (peace), an unfurling scroll (lifeʼs list), and rose (brevity of life). 18. Memorial 18 is a beautiful black granite obelisk commemorating the life work and social contribution of

William Reid. The International Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) was (and still is) a friendly society. The purpose was to provide support to families in the event of accidental death of or inability of the family breadwinner to support the family. Much of the work of friendly societies was superseded by the State with ʻthe security from the cradle to the graveʼ policies of the first Labour Government.

19. Memorial 19 is an example of a Calgary cross featuring the 3 steps – Faith, Hope and Charity as well as the monogram IHS.

20. Memorial 20. Robert Boyle Monkman was an officer who lost his life when the S.S, Taiaroa foundered. Encourage students to find out more about this shipwreck on the Northern Cemetery database http://www.southernheritage.org.nz/northerncemetery/application/dynamic/bio.cfm?BurialID=77803.

21. Memorial 21. This is the final memorial on the trail. The clasped hands symbol is commonly found in our cemeteries but is the only one on this trail. These clasped hands also feature with a star. This memorial also commemorates the death of George Daniels who died of wounds in France in 1918.

Northern Cemetery Dunedin:

Start trail 1 beyond the end of the sextonʼs cottage

The trail is spread over an extensive area of the cemetery as shown in the bounding triangle marked 1.

Legend

Map for teachers showing general location of Trail 1.

1Car park

Location of trail 1 study area

Sealed Roads

Grass paths

Blocks

Demoninational

12D

1

2 2

Northern Cemetery Dunedin:

Instructions

Start the trail just past the sextonʼs cottage.

The trail can be completed within the areas formed by Blocks 9, 58, 59, 138, 140A, and 110.

Visit the memorials in numerical order. These match your worksheet. Keep to the paths!

Legend

Map for students showing headstone location details for Trail 2.

1

Sealed Roads

Grass paths

Blocks

Visit order and location of headstones

Direction of progress around the trail.

12D

1 2 3

45

Start67

78

9

10

11 12

1314

15

16

1718

19 2021

End


Fact Sheet – William Larnach memorial

The tomb is constructed as a miniature gothic church and was built to house the remains of Larnachʼs first wife Eliza Jane. Her name can be seen carved above the doorway along with Larnachʼs name.

It was later used for the remains of his second wife Mary, eldest daughter Kate (who died of typhoid), son Donald buried 1910, and Wiliam Larnach himself. The Hon William James Mudie Larnach was a major figure in the business and political life of Dunedin. Born in Australia, Larnach became member for Tuapeka and served as Minister for Mines, as well as Colonial Treasurer, and Minister for Public works and Railways. Following the loss of his fortune after the collapse of the Colonial Bank, Larnach shot himself in the library of Parliament House Wellington in 1898.

Larnachʼs tomb was designed by architect Robert Lawson (1833 – 1902) and is a miniature copy of First Church. Built of Oamaru stone, the nave measures six metres by four metres and could accommodate 3 to 4 people standing when the crypt was open. Itfeatures three large pointed arch windows with gothic tracery (stained glass missing). The spire rises 17 metres above the ground. The interior features a vaulted ceiling, painted kauri beams and a red, black and cream tile floor.

In 1950 and again in 1973 vandals disturbed the coffins in the chapel scattering the skull (it had previously been stolen) and bones of William Larnach. Work was done to support the deteriorating stone spire. Tragedy again struck in March 1999 when the tomb was partially destroyed by a suspected arson attack.

Today the tomb is fenced off. Crumbling, weathered stonework, missing pinnacles, broken tracery, exposed window openings, rusting fencing and evidence of the fire damage is itself a sad memorial to a family whose lives were touched by tragedy more than once. The tomb is currently listed on the New Zealand Historic Places Trust Register as a category 1 item. However is considered to be a privately owned memorial and is therefore not eligible for grant assistance for repair or maintenance from New Zealand lotteries. (Abridged Betteridge, 2005).

Larnach’s tomb, Northern Cemetery below compared with First church Dunedin

Cemetery Visit: Symbolism trail Northern Cemetery

Trail 1: Student recording sheet. Page 1

In front of the main cemetery gate and opposite the sextonʼs cottage you will see this white marble pedestal memorial

Who does this memorial commemorate? 1. _______________________

2. ______________________________ 3. _______________________

What happened? ___________________________________________

Look carefully at the memorial. There are a number of interesting decorations on the memorial. Write down the objects and emblems you see.

1. ________________________4. _______________________

2. ________________________5. ______________________

3. ________________________6. ______________________

Start this trail at the front of the sextonʼs cottage in the Northern Cemetery by the gate.

Keep to the road. This next memorial stands next to the first one.

Look at the stone this memorial is made from. The stone is granite and very hard. What colour is the stone? _________

This headstone is decorated with leaves. What do you notice about the decoration? ______________________________

Can you name the leaves 1. _________________________

2. _____________________________________________

There are some strong kinship relationships evident on this headstone. How many people are commemorated here? __

What is their relationship to each other?

1

2

1

2=

=

Continue walking up the road. This next 4 sided pedestal memorial is on your left but be careful. Make sure you

identify the right one. There are two that look alike here.

Who is this memorial for?

1._______________________2. ____________________________ 3. ______________________ 4. ____________________________ 5. ______________________ 6. ____________________________ 7. ______________________

There is a wonderful collection of Victorian symbols to be found on this memorial. This particular design was very popular.

Name the decorations that you see.

1._______________________ 4. _________________________

2. _______________________5. __________________________

3. _______________________6. _________________________

This is also a 4-sided pedestal memorial.

It is now incomplete but look around you and see if you can tell what kind of top it may have had.________________________________

What is the decoration that now remains? ____________________ ______________________________________________________

There are a number of gravestones with dove decorations that can be found in the Northern Cemetery. There is another one on your trail. Look carefully at this one tae a photo. Later you will be asked see if you can note what is the same and what is different about the two dove decorations on your trail. Draw the shape of this plot on the back of your sheet. What is unusual about it?

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4

Walk up to the pink coloured granite 6 sided obelisk and carefully cross the block to the next headstone. This is in front of a tree.

At the Northern Cemetery: Symbolism Trail

Trail 1: Student worksheet. Page 2

Walk around the Robertson plot and up to the tree growing at the back of the grave. This memorial is on your right and

shares the plot with another headstone.

List the decorations you see on this memorial.

1. _______________________ 2. _______________________

3. _______________________ The stone used for his memorial is marble, which is usually white. Describe what has happened to the stone? ________________________________ Who is commemorated on this memorial? ______________________ Finish the first line of the poem inscription on this stone ___Blessed ________________________________________ What do you think this means? _________________________ Everything about this stone suggests that a much loved and missed wife is buried here. The grape vine clinging to the cross is a religious symbol indicating a clinging to religious faith. The grapes are part of the fruits of heaven, which this good person should now be enjoying. The white marble also indicates purity and this is all combined with the epitaph.

Turn around now and retrace your steps back towards the sextonʼs cottage. Follow the grass path around and keep an

eye out for this simple but unusually decorated headstone on your right.

What are the symbols you see on the headstone?

1. ________________________ 2. _____________________

Who is commemorated here and what does the inscription say that may explain the decoration. ___________________________________

___________________________________

Be an online detective and find out the story thatʼs behind this memorial. Search the Papers Past Website http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz but

make sure you have all the relevant information collected that you need from the headstone in order to find the article in the newspaper of the times.

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6

5

6

Block 33 Plot

Block 33 Plot 66A



Follow the grass path and walk around the end of Block 33 towards the cemetery gate and turn right into the next grass

path. It is easy to miss this very unusual headstone which is about 6 steps up the grass path. What is the shape of this memorial? ______________________

Who is commemorated here ?____________________________

_____________________________________________________

Look carefully and the symbol on the headstone. What is the symbol? _____________________________________________________

So far nothing very unusual but a stele shaped memorial normally has an inscription on only one side. Check the back of this one!

Who is commemorated here ?____________________________ What is unusual about this memorial? ______________________

____________________________________________________

Yes this headstone is like a reversible jacket. It serves as the headstone for Block 32 Plot 73 and actually sits in the middle of the plot. It is a headstone for both sides of the block.

Walk back the way you came, and follow the path towards the Sextonʼs cottage and around the back of the stewardesses memorial. Walk up the grassy path to this headstone on your right.

This small memorial doesnʼt say much about the person buried here but is a good example of how much can be “read” from the memorial type, size, type of stone and inscription.

What are the decorations you see on this headstone?

1. ________________________ 2. ____________________________

Only a little bit of the inscription can be read. What does the inscription say? ________________________________________

What can you guess about the story behind this headstone? ______ ______________________________________________________

7

8

7

8



Turn left at the next grass path and walk towards the wider grass path. Turn left again. Walk a few steps down the wide

grass path to this headstone

Who are the two people buried here with the same name? 1. ____________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________ List the symbols you see on this memorial,

1. _______________________ 3. _______________________

2. ________________________ 4. ______________________

The epitaph on this headstone offers some advice for the reader. Write it down here. Epitaphs were often designed to teach you something. Can you guess what this epitaph is telling the reader?

Turn around and walk up the wide grass path. The Sextonʼs Cottage is behind you now. This memorial is up the wide grass track from the

Scott memorial.

The statue you see here is ________________________________

There is also a wreath or a circle of flowers draped over the corner of the pillar that supports the cross. The flowers are roses and indicate the temporary and fleeting nature of life. Read the inscription on the memorial.

Why do you think this combination of symbols was chosen by this family?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

The last line of the inscription reads “Thy will be done” What do you think this means? _________________________________________

9

10

9

10



Walk on a few steps up the hill but not too far. On the other side of the grass path you will see this small memorial just in front of the hedge.

What is the symbol you can see on this headstone? _______________ Who is commemorated here?

1. _______________________Died ___________Age_________

2. ________________________Died____________Age ________

Normally a small lamb on a headstone is a symbol that is reserved for the death of young children. But in this case there are no children buried here so the symbol probably simply represents Jesus Christ who was also often called the “Lamb of God”

This tombstone is one the right hand side of the grass path as you go up the hill and almost opposite the lamb memorial.

Write down who is buried here.

1. ___________________Died ____________Age _______

2. ___________________Died_____________Age________

3. ___________________Died_____________Age________

What is the decoration that you can see on the capstone of the memorial. Look at it carefully. What do you notice is wrong with it? _______________________

This was a popular and commonly found symbol used in historic cemeteries and represents a life cut short. Who do you think the symbol might have been for? __________________________

There is another symbol quite similar to this on the other side of the Cramond memorial. Go back and have a look at it.

This headstone seems so peaceful and the spot so restful but in fact the story of the family who are buried here is anything but! Check out the Papers Plus website to find out what happened to this family

12

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11

12 Block 29 Plot 6

Block 193 Plot 9



Continue up the grass path until you see a wide grass path to your right. Turn into the path. This memorial is on your right and is not easy to see for the trees.

This is another headstone with an unusual meaning. The shape of the memorial is deliberately broken. Check your guide book to see what it means__________________________________________________

List the decorations you can see

1. ____________________ 2. ____________________ 3. ___________________ 4. __________________ The stone this headstone is made from ____________________ The headstone is made from white marble and symbolises purity a womanly virtue.

Who is commemorated in this memorial?

Name _________________________________

Died ___________ Age_______

Cross the grass path and find this memorial. It is almost opposite the one

you have just visited.

What are the decorative features that you see on this memorial?

1. _________________________ 3. ________________________

2. __________________________ 4. ________________________ What are the similarities between the memorials in activity 13 and 14? _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ What are the differences between the memorials in activity 13 and 14? _______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

13

14

13

14



Now walk towards the very large Larnach tomb with the tall spire.

Have a look at the Larnach tomb and see if you can find the portion of the memorial that is pictured here?

Where is this plaque located on the memorial?

______________________________________ Spot what’s wrong! The plaque reproduced here has 6 mistakes in it. Correct what is wrong with the plaque in this picture when you have found it on the monument.

Draw lines to label the flowers on this plaque

1. Rose 2. Lily of the valley 3. Thistle 4. Shamrock 5. Forget-me-not

From the Larnach tomb walk around the back of the angel headstone and find this headstone on your

right .

There is a symbol on this memorial that was also on the very first memorial on this trail. What is it?

___________________________________________________

Also on this memorial are the following leaves and flowers. Draw an arrow to label the leaves and flowers on this memorial.

1. Arcanthus leaves

2. Palmette designs

3. Ferns

4. Primroses

5. Lily of the Valley

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16

16

15



Walk up the narrow grass path for about 10 metres from the Cochrane memorial. This memorial is on your left.

There are 4 symbols on this memorial. Can you find and name them all?

1. ___________________________ 3. _______________________

2. ___________________________ 4. ________________________

This is the second dove on this trail. What are the differences you notice between the dove on this memorial and the Dove on the Robertson memorial?

1. _____________________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________________

Walk on up the grass path for about 15 metres. This memorial is on your right.

What shape is this memorial? ________________________________

Who is commemorated here? _____________________________________ Who erected the memorial? _____________________

Why?____________________________________

________________________________________

_________________________________________

Find out more about the work of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) when you return to school. The special symbol (logo) of this organisation is on this memorial and is often

found on gravestones without any further reference to the I.O.O.F. What is the symbol?

___________________________________________

17

18

17

Can you find something along this pathway you would use at school.

18



Walk several step up the wide grass path towards the grass circle. Donʼt go too far because this memorial is on your left

and not far from memorial 20.

What symbols do you see here?

1. _______________ 2. _______________ 3. ____________

How many people are commemorated here altogether? ________ What happened to George M Daniels? _____________________

Turn to your left now and walk along the wide grass path. You should see this broken memorial on your left. It is on the

corner of a block.

Who does this memorial commemorate? ________________________

What happened?____________________ __________________________

What are the symbols you see on this memorial?

1. ______________________ 2. ______________________

Walk on up the narrow grass path to the end of the grass track. You will see the back of this next memorial. Walk around the

block of headstones to the front of the memorial.

This memorial is a quite simple unadorned memorial yet there is a lot of religious symbolism here.

The shape is a _________________________

The white marble stone it is made from means (unscramble this word iurpyt) _____________________________________________________

There are three steps on the base. They mean F_________________ H______________ and C_________________

Draw the symbol you see in the centre of the cross.

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at the cemetery symbol… · is a favourite motif of the late victorian and edwardian period and...

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