Memorial Day Originates in Central PA!

On an October Sunday in 1864, three women unknowingly started a tradition that continues each year. Emma Hunter and her friend Sophie Keller gathered wild flowers and set out to place them on the grave of Emma’s Father, Dr. Reuben Hunter, at Boalsburg Cemetery. Dr. Hunter was a Union Surgeon during the civil war and died in service. Once the two young women had gathered enough flowers they set out to the cemetery to pay their respects.

Upon entering the cemetery, the two girls came across another woman by the name of Mrs. Elizabeth Meyer who was also placing flowers. She was there to pay respect to her son Amos. Amos had died while in service to the Union during the battle of Gettysburg. The three women talked for some time and then proceeded to lay flowers on the other loved ones graves. Little did they know that at that time they were participating in the nation’s first Memorial Day service. Before leaving the cemetery, the three women made a promise to meet and pay memorial the next year as well.

By the next year, word spread about Ms. Hunter, Ms. Keller, and Mrs. Meyer’s intentions to pay memorial. Soon more people from the Boalsburg community wished to participate. On July 4^th of 1856, the community gathered and Clergyman Dr. George Hall gave a sermon proceeded by flowers and flags being placed on the graves of soldiers. This tradition continued each year until May 5^th of 1868 when General John Logan issued that may 30^th 1898 would be the date of memorial. Later the date would become the last Monday of May as it is today.

As a little side note, there are over 24 communities nationwide the “claim” to be the originators of Memorial Day. However, only Waterloo, New York and Boalsburg, Pennsylvania have strong historical documentation and political backing. Also Memorial Day only paid homage to Union soldiers. The date would later grow to honor Confederate soldiers and then all military that died in service.

Today, Boalsburg holds its claim to Memorial Day very seriously. A Memorial Service is held each year in the Boalsburg Cemetery sometime around 6 o-clock in the morning. After the service many food, music, and craft venders line the streets of Boalsburg. Many of the shops in Boalsburg are also open including the historic Duffy’s Tavern that was once an Inn and stop between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Besides the venders, civil war reenactments and car shows are normally part of the event as well. Also the Pennsylvania Military Museum and the Boalsburg Mansion Museum are open to the public. Event goers can also visit the Columbus Chapel that dates back to 16^th century Spain. The chapel was shipped to Boalsburg in 1909 when a descendent of Christopher Columbus married a member of the local Bowl family, Col. Theodore Davis Boal.

After attending the Memorial Day event at Boalsburg, I received a newfound respect for our military and also Pennsylvania’s rich history. Boalsburg is right off of Route 322 just a little West of State College in Centre County.

           

Lost Resting Places : Benner Cemetery

Benner Cemetery

My next installment of Lost Resting Places is not as “lost” as ones before that I've  visited. Benner Cemetery however has only just recently been accessible to the public.  For many years, Benner Cemetery was on land owned by the Rockview Penitentiary near State College. In 2010 a new land agreement was drawn up and ownership was transferred over to The Pennsylvania State University. That being the case, it was just asking for me to explore.

The cemetery gets its name from one of it’s most notable interment, General Phillip Benner, and his family. General Benner is noted as the first Iron Master of what is now Centre County. Besides being an accomplished Iron Master, he went on to build multiple homes in Bellefonte, a few stores, gristmill, and other structures. He later  became a civic leader in the community and founded the Centre Democrat newspaper in 1827. General Phillip Benner wound then pass away in July of 1832. The cemetery today stands in an open field with huge trees surrounding its perimeter. A stone fence encompasses the graveyard’s entirety. The only way in is a stone staircase that goes over the wall. Some graves have fallen over and some are illegible, but people still visit and leave flowers.

          To get to Benner Cemetery, take the Shiloh Exit off of I-99 and head north. A short distance a State Game Lands(SGL) sign welcomes you and a pull off stands to the right. Just after the pull off, there is a small area to park on the left hand side next to a foundation of an old structure, which is about 200 feet from the SGL sign. Follow the path into the woods and eventually it will lead to an open field. Benner Cemetery will be on the left located along the path. It is very hard to miss with the huge trees surrounding it. As always, please be respectful.