🍂 Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia
A PumpkinSpice Hearthcraft Field Note Visited on a rain‑washed afternoon
Laurel Hill greeted us on a soft, overcast day — the kind of weather that turns stone into story and makes every carved name feel a little closer. A steady drizzle followed us through the gates, sometimes gentle, sometimes insistent enough that we tucked our cameras beneath our coats and waited for the clouds to catch their breath. Even so, we managed to gather a lovely handful of photographs, a few of which are shared here.
Cemeteries have always been places of folklore and history for us — once tangled up in the paranormal craze of our younger years, but now appreciated with a quieter, deeper affection. With age comes a shift in focus: away from chasing the unexplainable and toward honoring the culture, craftsmanship, and human stories held in these landscapes. Laurel Hill, with its sweeping views and Victorian monuments, is a treasure for anyone who loves history and folklore as much as we do.
Despite the moody weather, the cemetery felt peaceful and grounded. The rain softened the edges of the world, giving the marble and granite a gentle sheen. It wasn’t ominous so much as contemplative — the kind of atmosphere that invites you to slow down and notice things you might miss on a bright, sunny day.
We wandered the paths reading names, some familiar (like General Meade, pictured above), many others belonging to people whose stories we’ll never fully know but who deserve remembrance all the same. That act — pausing, reading, acknowledging — felt like the truest form of connection.
Not every place we visit offers folklore in the form of legends or ghost stories. Sometimes the folklore is simply the landscape itself: the way the river curves, the way the monuments lean, the way time settles into the stone. Laurel Hill is rich with that kind of quiet narrative.
We stopped by the small gift shop before leaving, a charming little nook filled with books, postcards, and bits of local history. The person tending the shop was warm and knowledgeable, sharing stories about the grounds and pointing out details we might have missed. My fiancé, ever the history enthusiast, was in his element — perhaps even more than I was.
Philadelphia gave us many places to explore on this trip, and we’ll share more of those adventures alongside the photographs. As for Laurel Hill, we’re not sure if we’ll return — there are so many new corners of the world calling our names — but we’re grateful for the time we spent there. If you find yourself in the area, it’s well worth a wander. Bring a good pair of shoes, a curious heart, and a willingness to let the past speak softly to you.
