Hope Cemetery — Attraction in Berlin

A really unique destination for anyone interested in local history and a little bit of world history as well.

The Hope cemetery features one of the few memorials to the 1918 pandemic (an event that has gained more currency in 2020). The memorial was unveiled in 1918, a few months before the pandemic hit Barre proper, resulting in hundreds of deaths.

Locally, all the headstones are made of granite--a requirement since 1945--and many were carved by Italian craftsman recruited to work at the local Barre granite quarry, who were able to create their own elaborate headstone.

Look for the Thomas headstone across from the memorial. Four children in this family died in the November 3-4 1927 flood, the most deadly in Vermont's history. Over 1,200 bridges were destroyed and 84 people died. To get an idea of how severe the floods were, see the high water mark in front of the state house in Montpelier...

I am sad to see the lack of maintenance at Hope Cemetery. It is unfortunate to see the grass not mowed or trimmed around the monuments especially for Memorial Day. I grew up in Barre and remember the days when Hope was beautiful. I now live in Shelburne but go to Hope often and the cemetery here really puts Barre maintenance to shame. I realize there was a storm but that does not have anything to do with the...

Hard to give 5 stars for a cemetery. This one is unique though. A number the monuments are art. Whether one of a kind forms and parting messages or sculptures, one over 100 years old, yet still exquisite craftsmanship. If you're interested in history, art, or one of a kind testimonials of those who have passed into eternity, you...