Early Gravestones in Southern Maine: The Genius of Bartlett Adams - Paperback

by Ron Romano (Author)

The slate gravestones of southern Maine bear evidence to the region's fascinating history, from shipwrecks and famous wartime sea captains to countless ordinary citizens. Master stone-cutter Bartlett Adams memorialized the tragedy and triumph of the region in nearly two thousand gravestones. Examine the artistry of the headstones that mark the resting places of three generations of the same family who all went down with the schooner Charles, and discover the grief that Adams poured into the stones for his own three children. Through deep and original research, author and guide Ron Romano narrates the early history of southern Maine and one man's legacy, carved in stone.

Author Biography

A native of Portland, Ron Romano leads the cemetery walking tours program for Spirits Alive, the Friends of Eastern Cemetery. He is active in stone conservation and enjoys researching "subterranean residents" and gravestones. He has found 1,750 gravestones at 133 Maine cemeteries that were produced in the Bartlett Adams stone-cutting shop between 1800 and 1828. Ron has presented his original research on the life and work of Adams locally and nationally at a series of well-received lectures.