All are welcome to join Laurel Hill’s book club which reads and discusses a wide range of genres and topics, from historical nonfiction to contemporary novels, from science and medicine to memoir and humor.

We’re delighted to welcome the author, Ed Snyder, to lead the discussion of his newly released book, “Abandoned and Forgotten Cemeteries of Philadelphia and its Environs.”

Since its inception, Philadelphia has created spaces for its dead. Some still exist, but many are gone or have been neglected and teeter on the edge of oblivion. Between 1850 and 1950, cemeteries across the nation disappeared as cities grew—developers wanted the land. Accompanied by Snyder’s photographs, we see Philadelphia cemeteries that have fallen on hard times, properties that failed to provide the “perpetual care” they promised. While many of these accounts make us question our ancestors’ motives, some recent examples provide hope. In some cases, volunteers stabilize faltering properties, restore them, and sometimes even turn them back into active cemeteries.

Buy your copy of Ed’s book today online or in person at the Gift Shop located in the Gatehouse at Laurel Hill East (3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19132).

Registration closes at 3:30PM on the day of the event, which is when the Zoom link will be emailed to all registrants. If you don’t see the email by 4:00PM, please check your spam folder! Email programs@laurelhillphl.com if you still have trouble finding the link.

COST

• $5/General Admission
• If ticket cost is prohibitive, please email programs@laurelhillphl.com. We are more than happy to add you to the registration list!