Friends of Brackett Cemetery

03/24/2024

Dear Friends: There will be an annual Spring Clean up at Brackett Cemetery on Fri. May 17 from 9 - 12N. Dress as though you will be hauling brush and raking...you will be! Hope to see you there!

02/11/2023

RIGHT!?!?!?!

11/07/2022

Tonight's sunset treat, a garden full of snapdragons and daisies down by the Harbor

04/25/2022

Our first clean up of Spring 2022! Brackett Memorial Cemetery cleanup is Friday, May 20 from 9:00 am -12:00 N. You can meet our new lawnmower!

01/07/2022

Long time Peaks Island historian, Kim McIsaac has a new book of Peaks History out just in time for winter reading by the fire.

PFA's good friend Kim McIssac formerly of the Fifth Maine Museum and long time golf-cart tour lady has just published her history of Peaks Island.

The cost is $27.95 plus $5 shipping in the US. Or order online at www.peaksislandtours.com

10/12/2021

Billboard Monuments of Maine: A Collection of Rare 1800s Gravestones by Ron Romano
October 23 - 11:00 to 12:30 pm at the Peaks Island Community Center

A curious form of grave marker was produced in New England in the mid-1800s consisting of large stone slabs held aloft by granite posts that resemble a billboard sign became known as “Billboard Monuments” by cemetery historian and author Ron Romano. 58 are known to exist in all of New England, with 42-in Maine. Ron’s new book (Billboard Monuments of Maine: A Collection of Rare 1800s Gravestones) is rich with photographs and provides a fascinating look at this form of gravestone that’s never before been studied.

Join Ron Romano for a slide show discussion that will bring the Billboard Monuments of Maine stories to life. (Time & weather-permitting, we may visit Brackett Cemetery to explore traditional 1800s gravemarkers).

Masks are required in the Peaks Island Community Center Building.
To register: Call Peaks Island Community Center at 766-2970 or [email protected]

07/31/2021

Our Summer Clean up of Brackett Mem. Cemetery has been changed to Tuesday, Aug. 3 from 9 - 12 N. Please join us! Check out the awesome ocean view enhancing work which has already been accomplished.

07/25/2021

Pictured is an anniversary quilt Evie Sterling made for their 50th anniversary in 1944; Simeon Sterling died the very next year in 1945. We think they enjoyed a long and loving marriage, this photo shows them as a young married couple; her cuddled up on his lap and his arms wrapped around her (my grandfather George Sterling behind the chair). This loving pose is very rare for that time when stiff, formal portraits were the norm. Evie’s cousin Cora Ward Craig had an early Brownie cameras and created beautiful portraits of Peaks and Peaks Islanders in the 1900’s some of which can be seen up at the Fifth Maine.
Do you have a story to tell about any of the sleeping residents of Brackett Cemetery? Please post a photo and share their life.

07/25/2021

Marriage announcement of Evelyn Skillings & Simeon Sterling. This announcement quietly speaks volumes...here is a 20 year old bride who has lived in a small island community surrounded by relatives for her entire life, now marrying Simeon and being whisked away to Boston (Somerville actually) the very next morning. What a culture shock that must have been! Maybe Evie welcomed the chance to live away from all these nosy relatives. I do think her grandmother, Adeline Brackett, would have missed her terribly. Addy had already lost 3 daughters to early deaths and was a widow at this time she hosted the wedding ceremony. Adeline raised her granddaughters, Evie and Cora as her own. Evie & Simeon Sterling are the first residents you meet entering the cemetery.

07/08/2021

Brackett Cemetery Clean-up, aka The Battle of the Bittersweet. Brackett Cemetery clean-up. Friday, July 30 9:00am to 12:00 noon. The Battle of the Bittersweet We're preparing to do battle against one of the island's invasive species, the bittersweet. They are invading the cemetery and it's time to take a stand. Bring your favorite trimming tools and we'll make our stand on the hill. Unlike the residents in the cemetery we won't take this lying down! Please wear closed work shoes, bring gardening gloves, hat, water and bug spray. Please spray your socks and shoes with bug spray. Children are welcome but should be supervised. Please RSVP in the comment section, or by sending a message to the administrator including your name so we can properly thank you for your help. We look forward to seeing you there. Thanks, Rick Ashton and Anne Sterling