Friends of Greenlawn Cemetery
a civic-minded group in Salem, Massachusetts
Birdwatching and Gardening in May
Guided Bird Walk
Despite being situated in the middle of a busy urban area, Greenlawn Cemetery offers a peaceful respite for many species of flora and fauna that one would typically not see this close to downtown. Some of the more well-known inhabitants are of the feathered sort – the birds who make Greenlawn their home or their layover on a long flight home. To date, Greenlawn’s most dedicated birdwatchers have seen over 100 different species within the cemetery.
Bright and early on May 13, 2018, Charlie Lipson led a group of folks through Greenlawn on a guided bird walk. The skies were overcast but that did not deter the group from being able to catch over 25 different species of birds up and at ’em that morning. The usual visitors were present – a Black-Crowned Night Heron (our mascot), a Double-crested Cormorant, a few Mallards, and some Red-Winged Blackbirds to name a few. The group was also graced with a Ruby-Throated Hummingbird flyby!
Early risers enjoying those on flight
Dedicated watchers with their binoculars
Thanks to all who came out for the guided bird walk! It was a successful event and folks got to learn a lot about birds, trees, and shrubs.
Conservatory Garden Clean-up
About a week later on May 19, 2018, a group of folks took to sprucing up the Conservatory Garden next to the Dickson Memorial Chapel. Flowers were planted, mulch was laid, and weeds were pulled as volunteers helped to clean up the garden that lies where the old conservatory used to be. Mr. Dickson would be proud of the work these folks pulled off!
Polly, Denise, Michelle, Denise, and Richard (not pictured) did a great job!
Mulch, mulch, and more mulch!
A view of the finished product
Another angle on work well done!
Thanks again to Polly, Denise, Michelle, Denise, and Richard for all their hard work cleaning up the garden! Thanks also to the Sean and his Greenlawn Cemetery crew who keep the grounds looking good. Oh – and thanks to those who worked hard last year planting bulbs so that we could enjoy their colorful blooms this year!
Phase I Completion Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
On Tuesday, November 28th, 2017, the Friends of Greenlawn and the City of Salem had the honor of celebrating the completion of Phase I restoration work on the Dickson Memorial Chapel with an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony. The event was well attended and we thank you all who could come and show your support for this historic endeavor! A big thank you as well to Mayor Kim Driscoll and her staff for helping to make the event such a success!
The Salem News featured the event on their front page the following day (Wednesday, November 29th), so I’ll link that here and let them tell you all about the event:
Wed, Nov 29, 2017 – “Salem officials celebrate first phase of restoration at historic chapel”
Salem News included a video with the online edition of the article that shows part of the ceremony and some more of the chapel, as well as the recently restored Rose Window on the east side of the chapel.
Friends of Greenlawn gear available
The Friends of Greenlawn Spring Event this Sunday will have FOG long and short sleeve t-shirts and ball caps for sale. The Black Crowned Night Heron is our mascot! He is featured on our tee shirts and ball caps 🙂
If you can not make it on Sunday, please email the friendsofgreenlawn@gmail.com to arrange a purchase. Thank you for your support!
Spring Event on June 11, 2017 (and we’re back!)
Hi there! Our website is going to be undergoing some updates over the next few weeks, so please keep checking back with us.
The Friends of Greenlawn Cemetery are holding a spring event on Sunday, June 11, 2017 (this Sunday) and you are all invited! Please join us for a wonderful lecture on Mount Auburn Cemetery, whose own rural cemetery design served as a model for many rural cemeteries in the United States, including our very own Greenlawn Cemetery.
Notables Buried at Greenlawn: John Phillip Rilley
“Extraordinary bravery and coolness”. 
Landsman John Phillip Rilley (or Riley) was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery during the Spanish-American War when he was just 21 years old. His citation notes: “On board the U.S.S. Nashville during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Rilley displayed extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action”
From www.homeofheroes.com: “The mission was a daring operation to cut undersea cables linking the Spanish fortifications at Cienfuegos with the rest of the world. Destruction of the cables was ordered to disrupt communications. In two boats, sailors from the USS Nashville and the USS Marblehead were joined by a Marine guard as they moved within 15 feet of the enemy shore, under fire from the hidden enemy, to dredge up and cut two such cables. During the 80 minute operation, the cable cutting party was under constant enemy fire from a short range, while they coolly dredged the cables across the bow of their boats, then cut through them with hacksaws.”
Mr. Rilley was born in 1877 in AllentownPA, and died in Salem November 16, 1950.
Tree Inventory at Greenlawn (Post updated January 2019 with NEW link)
Update Jan 2019: We have a NEW tree map! The older one may still work for a bit longer but it is due to be taken offline in the near future.
Here’s our NEW Tree Inventory at Greenlawn .
This interactive map of Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem, MA, pinpoints the location of many specimens of trees.
2012 Caroling: The Chapel
Here’s a wonderful photo by Christine Lutts of Dickson Chapel at Greenlawn, during last weekend’s caroling get-together. Unfortunately, the luminaria (candle lighting of Dearborn Street) couldn’t take place due to the rain.
John Riley, Medal of Honor Winner
Here’s a photo of John Phillip Riley, US Navy, who fought in the Spanish-American War and won the Medal of Honor. Many thanks to Beverlie McSwiggin for sharing this photo.
Hooded Mergansers and Buffleheads at Sargent Pond
Three pairs of Hooded Mergansers at Sargent Pond on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012. This is a frame capture from video. One of the males had just put his “hood” up…..
Here’s a still shot of the group, showing off some of the females….
Here are some still shots of male Buffleheads…..
…and a couple of frame captures of Bufflehead pairs….
September 25 Meeting Notes
From Christine Lutts:
1. Pat Donahue, Maureen Jacoby, Lisa DuBreuil, Richard Stafford, Polly Wilbert, Ed Myskowski and Christine Lutts were present.
2. We discussed the progress and some further steps regarding Greenlawn Cemetery being on the National Register. Note this is a slow process, but progress is being made. We hope to get grants and or funding for Greenlawn thru this and or other opportunities.
3. Rich Stafford brought up membership. He also discussed the tapping of Maple trees for maple syrup and his past involvement with that thru Saltonstall school.
4. Pat brought up a tour of Greenlawn idea for November. What do you think should be on the tour? What weekend day and or date do you think is best?
5. Ed talked about his work on the history of Greenlawn. We look forward to his findings.
6. Maureen mentioned Nature Resources and was going to check into that and about getting some other people she knew to help us.
Remember we hold our monthly meeting the last Tuesday of every month at 6:30 at 5 Broad Street which is The Salem Council on Aging unless otherwise notified.
Friends of Greenlawn Cemetery 