2026 Spirit Walk

Temple Hill Cemetery invites the public to step back in time for its 13th annual Spirit Walk, “Carved in Stone: Explore the Spirits, Symbols & Stories of Temple Hill.” Held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM (Rain date: Sunday, September 27), this year’s event features a new, earlier start time to allow visitors to enjoy the grounds in the late afternoon light.

This year’s theme bridges the gap between art and biography, combining the intricate iconography of Victorian-era headstones with the fascinating lives of the departed. Performers clad in period Victorian garb will bring  local history to life as they introduce notable families and explain the deep symbolic meanings hidden within their gravestones.

During the Victorian era, sentimental values and a fascination with mourning rituals led families to adorn graves with rich, meaningful motifs. From weeping angels and ivy leaves to morning glories and draped urns, the art carved into these monuments speaks a silent language of faith, love, and status.

Highlights of this year’s tour include:

• The Honeywell Family: Discover the legacy of the patriarch who served as Temple Hill’s superintendent for 44 years.
• The Sinclair Family: Admire their striking "white bronze" monument while learning about the family's farming prowess and contributions to literature and science.
• The Founder of Piffard: Visit the historic family plot featuring touching epitaphs and intricate decorative elements.

“Our hope is that visitors come away with a richer understanding of gravestones and their carvings,” says the event organizers. “Cemeteries are not just places of loss—they are living museums of history. We want people to leave with the eyes to read the stories carved in stone wherever they travel.”

• Date & Time: Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM (New earlier start time)
• Rain Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026
• Location: Temple Hill Cemetery, Geneseo, NY
• Admission: Free. A suggested donation of $5 per person or $20 per family is greatly appreciated to support cemetery preservation.
• Attire: Comfortable walking shoes are strongly recommended for navigating the cemetery terrain.